Diversity award for the Student Loans Company
The Student Loans Company has been awarded Investors in Diversity accreditation
The Student Loans Company has been recognised for its commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace and for its ongoing support of employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The organisation has been awarded Investors in Diversity (IiD) accreditation by the National Centre for Diversity (NCD). The accreditation follows an assessment during which SLC was able to demonstrate its ongoing commitment to embedding equality, diversity, inclusion and fairness in all that it does.
The NCD praised SLC’s efforts to create an inclusive culture and its swift response in developing policies and procedures to protect and support employees during the COVID-19 crisis. It also highlighted positive initiatives including equality and diversity training for staff and the celebration of events such as religious festivals, International Women’s Day and mental health awareness days.
Solat Chaudhry, CEO of the National Centre for Diversity said: “We have been very impressed with how SLC has embedded equality, diversity and inclusion into all areas of the organisation. It is good to see how it has encouraged staff to lead the way in the establishment of employee networks such as the LGBT+ group, ARCUS. We have also been impressed by how quickly SLC reacted to the pandemic, developing policies and procedures to protect and support employees working at home and in critical office-based roles.”
Paula Sussex, CEO of SLC, said: “Promoting diversity and equality in the workplace is critical to developing a motivated, skilled and engaged workforce. This year has been very different for us with the majority of employees based at home due to the pandemic. However, I have been so impressed with how colleagues have adapted and continued to drive forward initiatives which ensure SLC’s diverse culture thrives, even if it is remotely.”
Eligibility Assessor, Thomas Lowther works for SLC in Darlington and is a member of the ARCUS Network. He commented: “Working for an organisation which actively promotes diversity is important to me. Everyone benefits from an inclusive environment in the workplace and I think it also makes us a more appealing employer.”
SLC will now establish a Diversity Taskforce to continue this work and take forward recommendations made by the NCD.