Employers across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to enter the Northern Ireland Equality and Diversity Awards 2019 to showcase their commitment to advocating diversity in their organisations.
The awards, now in their third year, are organised by Legal-Island, an award-winning Antrim-based workplace compliance company which helps HR professionals understand employment law and how it applies to their workplace. The event is sponsored by Grafton Recruitment and Jones Cassidy Brett solicitors, and supported by Diversity NI.
The Northern Ireland Equality and Diversity Awards 2019 are open to all organisations and individuals across the public, private and third sectors. The deadline for entries is 12 noon on Thursday 6 December 2018.
Award categories include Best Employer for Equality & Diversity in NI; Best Gender Initiative; Best LGBT Initiative; Best Disability Initiative; Individual Diversity Champion and new categories for 2019 include Best Age Initiative; Best Race Initiative; and Best Initiative Impacting on Offenders or Ex-Offenders in Northern Ireland in association with PeoplePlus.
Barry Phillips, Chair of Legal-Island, organisers of the awards, explains why it is important for companies to share best practice relating to diversity:
“Last year’s Northern Ireland Equality and Diversity Awards were a great success. The awards are a unique event in Northern Ireland, unlike anything else in the local business calendar. Whilst the actual ceremony is fun, a little bit zany and full of colour and life we are of course focused on recognising the really good work that companies across Northern Ireland are doing in the important area of diversity, equality and inclusion.
“Organisations such as Northern Ireland Office, Clanmil Housing Association, Belfast Health & Social Care Trust, Pinsent Masons and the NOW Group were recognised last year for pioneering new standards of equality and diversity practices and driving the diversity agenda in Northern Ireland. The awards also provided a wonderful opportunity for sharing best practice and acknowledging the efforts of staff that are working consistently to further organisational objectives in this area.”
Explaining why organisations should apply, Mr Phillips continues: “There are legal requirements associated with equality and diversity, however it is essential employers view it as much more than a legal tick box exercise. Valuing diversity and recognising the benefits that it brings will help businesses and organisations to thrive. Driving diversity in the workplace will help drive it into the community outside too. This can only be good for Northern Ireland.”
Mr Phillips continues: “By applying for these awards organisations can formally put on record their thanks to employees for their outstanding work. They can also demonstrate the impact equality and diversity has had on their business and reinforce their equality and diversity message. Participating in the awards can also generate positive marketing and PR which can help businesses to attract employees who want to work in an environment that pioneers diversity.”
Award sponsor, Tina McKenzie, CEO of Grafton Recruitment Ireland, encourages employers to apply and demonstrate their active support for equality and diversity: “I am proud to lend my support again to the outstanding Equality and Diversity Awards which are at the forefront of celebrating all the positive and progressive initiatives and practices that are happening across many workplaces in Northern Ireland.
“Maintaining and indeed promoting an equal and diverse workplace is increasingly important in the global market we are operating in. Productivity and output can in my view, only be enhanced, by Employers that champion tolerance, diversity and inclusion.”
Fellow awards sponsor, Ciara Fulton, Senior Partner, Jones Cassidy Brett, a niche employment law firm based in Belfast, which is renowned for its expertise in employment and equality law, adds: “At a time when equality and diversity issues are the focus of so much media attention in light of campaigns such as #Metoo and recent high-profile investigations in Hollywood and Westminster, it is more important than ever to champion the good work that many employers in Northern Ireland are doing to demonstrate their commitment to equality and diversity in the workplace. These awards serve not only as a vehicle for celebrating the achievements of these employers and individuals but also as a mechanism for promoting and encouraging diversity in the workplace”.
Diversity NI Ltd, a Belfast-based accredited Chartered Institute of Linguists Exam Centre, providing professional interpreting and translation services for a wide range of private and public Sector clients, is also supporting this year’s awards. Paolina Hawthorne, Founder, Diversity NI Ltd says:
“By acknowledging diversity and helping people to fit in, employers can play to the strengths of their people allowing both employees and customers to feel their value. Diversity within a company leads to greater creativity. Being an inclusive business entity enhances performance, boosts the confidence of a firm’s existing talent, whilst outwardly generating huge positivity around the company’s brand. The Northern Ireland Equality and Diversity Awards provides a fantastic platform for organisations to celebrate and encourage the vast opportunities that cultural differences bring to the workplace”.
Clanmil Housing Association, who was awarded Best Employer for Diversity and Equality in Northern Ireland (Large Company category) was one of last year’s award winners*. Commenting on the achievement, Karen Gilmore, Group Director of Corporate Services, Clanmil Housing Association, said: “We were delighted to enter and be recognised as the Best Employer for Equality and Diversity” at last year’s Legal Island Awards. Being involved and hearing how innovative and seeing the impact of all entrants was truly special. Embracing the richness of diversity in Northern Ireland life, these awards celebrated exciting, varied and vibrant workplaces”.
The deadline for entries is 12 noon on Thursday 6 December 2018. Entries are available** at https://www.legal-island.com/event/northern-ireland-equality-and-diversity-gala-awards/
All valid applications will be read, scored, shortlisted and applica
nts will be notified of results by Monday 7 January 2019. Each shortlisted entry will be invited to meet with the judging panel for an interview on Thursday 31 January 2019. The written application will count for 70% of the overall score, with 30% allocated for the interview with the judging panel.
Winners will be announced at the Northern Ireland Equality and Diversity Gala & Awards 2019 on Friday 5 April 2019 at Titanic Belfast.