Arcus FM colleagues inspire businesses at disability confident event
Last Friday (13 September), leading facilities management company, Arcus, presented to a variety of companies including, the BBC, United Utilities and McDonald’s, at the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, to support and inspire other organisations in workplace diversity.
The event was attended by over 130 individuals, with Arcus colleagues, Steven Nielsen, Senior Operations Manager and Shane McNulty, In-store Cleaning Manager, taking to the red carpet and kick-starting the morning’s presentations.
Steve was first up to the mic to talk about the work Arcus is doing in the Great Manchester area to support those trying to enter and progress in the world of work, particularly those with disabilities who may have previously struggled to find employment. Shane then gave a moving and inspiring talk on how he had previously struggled to get back into the world of work after becoming an amputee in 2012.
Shane applied for a role with Arcus in 2017 and he is now an In-store Cleaning Manager for Arcus’ largest client, Sainsbury’s, looking after the cleaning team in the Macclesfield store.
The Lord Mayor of Manchester, Abid Latif Chohan, opened the event and the audience also heard from Kate Green, current Labour MP for Stretford and Urmston and former Shadow Minister for Disabled People, who presented awards as voted for by staff and partners of Seetec Pluss.
Along with M&S and B&M stores, Arcus were named runners up for the Greater Manchester Employer of the Year 2019. Nominations were given to organisations who have gone the extra mile when it came to workplace inclusivity.
Steve Willis, COO for Arcus said: “Social value is a key pillar of our organisation. It’s so important that we create a sense of pride, place and purpose for all of our colleagues. In doing so our people feel that our values are aligned to theirs.
“As a business, we’re committed to creating workplace diversity and we’re implementing ways to replicate the work Steve is doing in the Greater Manchester area across the whole of our organisation.”
Research has revealed that in the UK only 51.7% of people with disabilities are in employment*. Furthermore, the results showed that just 15% of people on the autistic spectrum are currently working, and only 6% of people with a learning disability have jobs.
Greg Bate, Senior Operational Partnership Manager at Seetec Pluss commented: “With unemployment at its lowest since the 1970s, businesses are struggling to get the right people to fill their vacancies. By working with Seetec Pluss, they can tap into a wealth of skills, talent and enthusiasm.
