At Zurich Financial Services we're committed to treating all our stakeholders fairly and to support each individual so they can reach their full potential. Part of this commitment involves working with a number of specialist agencies to both ensure our business is attractive to applicants with disabilities or health conditions, and to ensure our people with disabilities receive their support they need to do their jobs.
We've also recently redesigned our recruitment process so that we can attract applicants from a broad recruitment pool and facilitate consistent recruitment practice across our business.
We also guarantee that all disabled applicants who meet our minimum criteria will be invited to an interview.
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Zurich Academy
The Zurich Academy has been designed to provide unemployed people who have a disability with targeted training and meaningful work experience, which will help them get back into the job market.
Objectives
The objectives are to:
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raise disability awareness and management capability in the Zurich UK Life business
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provide the opportunity for individuals to gain meaningful work experience and training as part of their preparation towards getting a job
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result in full time work for Academy Members, either with Zurich or another organisation.
Each Academy member will receive:
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support from a Zurich manager during their 6-month period, to deliver an agreed set of objectives
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experience of working in a key business, for example, HR or IT
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support from Pitman Training to develop a personal training plan and time allocated to do the agreed training.
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How it works
Each Academy member will be given a range of support to ensure they get the most from their time with us. One clear objective of the placement is to equip Academy members with the skills and experience they need to secure permanent work. Part of their personal training plan will specifically support them to develop their CV and prepare them for an interview.
On successful completion of the placement Academy members will graduate and receive a certificate, presented by a senior Zurich Director, to recognise and record their achievements.
Partner
The Zurich Academy is being developed in partnership with Remploy Interwork.
Referral Links
Agencies, such as WTCS, working with people with disabilities or health conditions can refer candidates to Remploy Interwork.
REMPLOY INTERWORK:
Employment Development Manager: Joanne Barkes.
Telephone 07971 507176
Recruitment that works is for people looking for work within Zurich, who have a disability and need support to find employment.
Objectives
The objectives are to:
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Support our Equality & Diversity Strategy to recruit and retain employees from a wider cross-section of the population.
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Involve partnerships to help us provide the kind of support our people need.
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Help us to facilitate practices that support an inclusive culture.
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People who wish to take part in this scheme (initiative is a better word) are assessed by WTCS, using an assessment process agreed by Zurich, JCP and WTCS. Everyone who meets the job criteria provided by Zurich is guaranteed an interview. Support from WTCS is given to people prior to the interview stage and continues during their employment with Zurich.
Partner
The Recruitment That Works project is being delivered in partnership with JCP, who are working with WTCS as their delivery partner.
Referral Links
Remploy Interwork and other agencies working with people with disabilities have referral links into WTCS.
JOB CENTRE PLUS :
Contract Executive: Jinnie Anderson, Telephone 01249 425844
West Country Training (WTCS)
Development Manager: Shelley Stanley, Telephone 01793 714117
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Other Projects
Employee / Advisor Assistance Programme (EAR)
EAR is a 24-hour service available to all our employees. It provides confidential help and counselling with any kind of problem.
Further details:
If you would like any further information about diversity issues in the Zurich Financial Services UK Life business, please contact:
Chris Staples, Community Affairs Director
01793 504053 (Direct line)
chris.staples@uk.zurich.com (email)
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As users of the disability symbol, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy.
