Empowerment

Social Firms are committed to the social and economic integration of disadvantaged people through employment. A key means to this end is economic empowerment through the payment of market wages to all employees:

• Reasonable adjustments are made for employees relevant to their needs.
• Staff development is a priority for the firm to maximise each employee’s ability and potential.
• There are processes in place for managing stress. Staff are encouraged to have control over their working environment.
• The firm demonstrates a commitment to maintaining staff confidentiality. There is a procedure in place that demonstrates when staff have agreed what information can be shared.
• Volunteers have agreements that reflect good practice in volunteering.
• The firm provides Disadvantage/Disability Equality and Awareness training to all staff as appropriate (e.g. mental health awareness).
• The firm has an added emphasis on training for disadvantaged staff. Training reinforces and builds on learning and takes account of developing social skills as appropriate.
• The firm’s organisational structure is enabling and encourages staff to participate in business decisions as appropriate.
• Trainees, work experience candidates and volunteers have different programmes and responsibilities to those of employees. Training should be time-limited and should lead to an award once competences are achieved.

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