07th July 2021
CatSci Ltd, a scientifically led, commercially minded and award-winning innovation partner for medicines development, has achieved the Disability Confident (Level 2) certification.
CatSci is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusivity, and developing an environment where all employees are treated with respect and understanding. Our HR policies ensure that all job applicants and CatSci employees are not being or will be discriminated against because of their age, disability, sex, gender identity, marital status, race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins), religion or belief, sexual orientation, pregnancy, responsibility for dependents, unrelated criminal conviction or trade union activity.
As one of many strides towards greater equality and inclusion, CatSci joined the Government’s Disability Confident scheme, achieving Level 2 certification in June 2021. The Disability Confident scheme is an initiative that helps employers commit to attracting, recruiting and retaining people with disabilities. This ensures that people with disabilities have all the opportunities available to fulfil their potential. Despite the certification being valid until 2024, CatSci is already working on further improving the working environment for all employees, whilst achieving the Disability Confident Leader (Level 3) status – the highest level of recognised commitment.
Seb York, CatSci’s Talent Lead and Equality and Diversity Champion said: “Here at CatSci, we believe that greater inclusivity in our business creates positive outcomes. This accomplishment recognises our collective activities to make our company an accessible and supportive place for all. It is a key step in our journey to become one of the leading companies for people with disabilities within the pharmaceutical sector”.
CatSci continue its efforts to become a more diverse employer by working together with industry and inclusion experts. HR policies and practices are regularly reviewed and improved, removing any barriers that currently exist and accelerating change across the business.
CatSci’s ‘disability confident’ activities include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Actively attracting and recruiting disabled people to help fill current and future opportunities
- Offering innovative and effective approaches to encourage disabled people to apply for opportunities and supporting them when they do
- Offering an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria for the role
- Providing a fully inclusive and accessible recruitment process
- Promoting a culture of being Disability Confident
- Ensuring there are no barriers to the development and progression of disabled employees
- Guiding employees to information and advice on mental health conditions
- Identifying and sharing good practices
Seb added: “Steps towards equality, diversity and inclusion of the workplace should never be seen as extra paperwork or burden on the business. By promoting and working towards a better culture, employers can only win and become stronger. Diversity sparks innovation – recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce helps ignite and sustain business growth. I would really encourage other companies to sign up to the Disability Confident scheme. It’s a really introspective way of realising the potential of progressing through the ‘different ability’ inclusivity journey.”
Read Seb’s thoughts about what steps businesses should take to create a culture that supports and promotes equality, diversity and inclusivity here.
If you would like to learn more about the Disability Confident scheme, take a look at this short video here.
