Marks & Spencer and The Civil Service have walked away with the top prizes at the Employers Network for Equality and Inclusion (enei) Awards 2014.
Awarded the overall winner categories for the private and public sector respectively, the two organisations celebrated their achievements alongside loyalty card group Aimia, which was named “Small Employer of the Year 2014” for its UK operation.
All winners, across 21 categories, had to demonstrate a clear response to a specific challenge, definitive and measurable outcomes, and evidence of significant impact. The awards acknowledged and celebrated those with a commitment to good practice above and beyond legal compliance and innovative approaches that will inspire other employers.
Among the speakers addressing more than 250 delegates at the event was enei patron, and former home secretary, David Blunkett, who questioned why many employers still saw diversity as “nice to do”, rather than as a moral issue.
Denise Keating, enei chief executive, said the enei Awards recognise the commitment of organisations to achieving diverse and inclusive workplaces: “We have been encouraged by the steps these organisations have taken to promote equality and diversity and hope this will encourage other companies to follow their lead. More than 80 organisations entered the awards this year and we are delighted that many of them are prepared to publicly demonstrate best practice and have been recognised for the innovative work they are doing.”
Winners of enei Awards 2014
Overall Winner 2014 – Private Sector: Marks & Spencer
Overall Winner 2014 – Public Sector: The Civil Service
Small Employer of the Year: Aimia
Representative Workforce Award: Post Office
Employee Engagement Award: Joint winners – The Civil Service and Affinity Sutton Housing Association
Excellence in Training Award: MPH Accessible Media
Tapping into Talent Award: EY
Inclusive Procurement Award: IBM
Team of the Year, sponsored by Personnel Today: University College London Hospitals
Employee Network Group of the Year: Home Office
Equality & Inclusion Champion of the Year: David Casey – Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service
Wellbeing at Work: Joint Winners – Marks & Spencer and Aimia
Flexible/Agile Working: IBM
Working Families Award: Barclays
Inclusive Culture Award: Aimia
Inclusive Recruitment Award: E.ON
Personal Fair and Diverse Award: Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust
Global Diversity Award: Page Group
Inclusive Communications Award: The University of Manchester
Community Impact Award: Circle Housing
