IoD Jersey: Under the radar – Supporting people back into work

With so many Jersey businesses struggling to recruit and retain staff, it’s even more essential that employers seek out diverse talent for their teams. IoD Jersey’s Diversity and Inclusion sub-committee has organised a breakfast panel on April 28th, sponsored by Walkers, to discuss the practical steps that organisations can take to bring people back into the workforce.

Having a diverse team is good for business, but employers have been hit by the post-covid phenomenon, the Great Resignation. In the UK alone, it’s estimated that around two million people exited the workforce. However, there are others who wish to return to work, but for various reasons might be struggling to take that step. Those who have had a period of extended leave due to taking time out as a carer of young children or another family member, or those with a disability or who had to take time out due to a long-term illness.

Julia-Anne Dix, IoD Jersey, Diversity sub-Committee chair, said: “This panel is made up of experts with practical experience of the support that can be offered in order to attract people back to work. We want attendees to be inspired and enabled to go back to their organisations and put achievable tactics in place to assist with diversifying their teams and finding staff who will make a difference for their businesses.”

Daniel Read, Senior Counsel (Employment), Walkers added: “At Walkers, we are increasingly advising clients on issues relating to diversity and inclusion and are therefore delighted to be a part of this event. I have been practicing here and in London for over a decade now and it has been interesting seeing the changes in this area over that time period. Employees are feeling freer than ever and choosing who they want to work for rather than where they want to work. This means that recruitment and retention should be top of the agenda – not just because it is nice to do but because it has massive commercial impact. I look forward to discussing this in further detail with attendees at the event.”

Panel members are: Denise Heavey, Recruitment Specialist, GR8 Recruitment UK, Alexandra Ruddy, Founding Director, Oben Regulatory, Stuart Penn, Acting Head of Service, Government of Jersey, Steph De la Cour, Disability Inclusion Officer, Government of Jersey, and Daniel Read, Senior Counsel (Employment), Walkers Jersey. Jess Dunsdon, News Presenter, ITV Channel Television, will facilitate.

The event starts at 9am Thursday April 28th at The Royal Yacht Hotel & Spa, with a breakfast of pastries, fruit, coffee, and tea included. It finishes at 10.30am.

Main image shows previous diversity and inclusion event.