The Business in the Community Inclusive Employer Blueprint - Let's drive social inclusion across businesses in Ireland

Business in the Community Ireland has launched The Inclusive Employer – a blueprint to create inclusive workplaces and reduce social inequality in Ireland.

This is the second initiative announced by The Leaders’ Group on Sustainability, BITC's coalition of member companies who are working collaboratively on sustainability issues.

Last year, the Group launched the Low Carbon Pledge aimed at encouraging businesses in Ireland to transition to a low carbon economy and I am delighted that 46 of our member companies have already signed up.

The second area the Group looked at was social inclusion and the role of business. Employment offers the single biggest opportunity for vulnerable individuals to move out of a cycle of poverty and become active participants in society.

The ESRI identified in 2018 the five groups facing the greatest barriers to employment and most vulnerable to social exclusion: jobless households, lone parents, homeless or affected by housing exclusion, those with disabilities and ethnic minorities. This blueprint spells out what practical steps employers can take to reach into these families and communities and help transform their lives.

Download The Inclusive Employer

BITC is excited about the prospects of disseminating the blueprint and collaborating with our government, civil society and business partners in implementing the principles and embedding these practices across all companies in Ireland.

BITC is delighted to continue the conversation and see how it can work together with other groups to bring the blueprint to the fore of decision making in business and other organisations in Ireland.