The trust is a charity which aims to create employment opportunities for disabled people and to help them to prepare for, find and maintain work.
It also supports businesses and has promoted an employers’ disability charter to allow firms to show that they are working towards taking positive action and developing initiatives that will enable more disabled people to access employment.
‘The island is starting to think more about disability and mental health issues and employers want to do and say the right things,’ said chief executive of the Guernsey Employment Trust, Nicola Ioannou-Droushiotis.
‘Employers want to provide opportunities for disabled people, but don’t always know how to go about it.
‘[The Employers’ Disability Charter] has nine commitments which provide structure and an action plan for being pro-active in assisting disabled people into the workforce.’
Legislation is currently being drafted by members of Employment & Social Security which would ensure employers make appropriate and reasonable adjustments for disabled people in the workplace.
Ms Ioannou-Droushiotis said this is more than just having a ramp or lifts in the building, but looking at ways to make employees feel comfortable and suited to the working environment.
In total, 25 employers have signed up to the charter since its creation in 2017, with OSA Recruitment, Guernsey Post and the Guernsey Recycling Group joining most recently.
As legislation drafted by ESS develops, the Guernsey Employment Trust encourages more employers to sign up to the charter for free and start working on equality in their own company.
‘The charter helps level the playing field for disabled people seeking paid work but also has many benefits for the employers.
‘A larger pool of ideas and backgrounds leads to creativity, better problem solving and planning,’ she said.
‘A diverse workforce that provides opportunities for disables or disadvantaged people can also result in a good reputation for the business, making them more competitive.’
n The Guernsey Employment Trust offers in-house, bespoke training sessions to employers.
Employment development manager Elaine Strappini can be contacted at elaine.strappini@get.org.gg for more information.
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