At O2, we appreciate and value our diverse customer base and aim to achieve a workforce which reflects and celebrates this diversity. In 2008, a number of internal initiatives outlined our commitment to this philosophy.

Disability Audit

O2 participated in a Disability Audit in December 2008 which was organised and run by Kanchi, our strategic charity partner and founder of the O2 Ability Awards. The purpose of the audit was to assess our current practices in all areas of diversity and disability and was followed up with an action plan that gave O2 a structured and concise roadmap for improvement. This plan is currently being introduced across the business by our Diversity Champion, Jude Lynch who is also our Chief Operating Officer.
 

Job Shadow Initiative

The Job Shadow Initiative is a project organised by the Irish Association for Supported Employment whereby hundreds of Individuals with disabilities throughout Ireland are afforded the unique opportunity to shadow a workplace mentor (employee) as they go through a normal working day.

As part of Job Shadow Day in April 2008, Martin Keegan from Dundrum joined forces with his job shadow mentor, Noel Butler, manning the reception desk in O2 Headquarters in Dublin. Martin, a jobseeker, participated in the project to gain more workplace experience.

“I was really looking forward to the challenge of working on a busy reception utilising my skills to further my employment prospects and I wasn’t disappointed, it was a fantastic experience.”

For more information on the Irish Association for Supported Employment, click here www.iase.ie