GLOBAL FEATURE
Who is doing it well :
Foodpanda Asian online food and grocery delivery platform Foodpanda has been recognised as one of Singapore ’ s most inclusive workplaces , thanks in part to its personalised recruitment process for candidates with disabilities and accessible office environment .
Speaking to Inside Retail last year , Foodpanda ’ s chief people officer Ingo Laubender explained that inclusivity is embedded in all aspects of the employee experience , starting with how and where job interviews are conducted .
“ All candidates with disabilities will be paired with a dedicated talent acquisition team member , who will be able to provide a personalised process specific to the needs of the candidate ,” he said .
“ The dedicated talent acquisition staff is also responsible for aligning and calibrating the performance of the candidate with all interviewers involved , to ensure that the candidate receives a fair and unbiased evaluation throughout the interview process .”
All talent acquisition team members have undergone unconscious bias training to ensure they have the necessary skills and sensitivity to support candidates with special needs .
Laubender noted that all employees have access to Foodpanda ’ s learning system , which provides an inclusive learning environment through features such as closed captions and speech-to-text support .
“ Employees ’ laptops are also equipped with speech-to-text software , and employees with special needs are welcome to request any other specific tools they require ,” he said .
In addition , he shared that Foodpanda ’ s physical office has braille signages in all meeting rooms and tactile pavings on the floors to guide those with vision impairment . Other features include height-adjustable desks , wheelchair-friendly meeting rooms , and strategically placed meeting room signages that are viewable by employees of all heights .
Employees with sensory needs can use the quiet rooms available whenever needed , and there are also wellness spaces where employees can relax at any time of the day .
“ Our commitment to creating an inclusive workplace also comes through in the various partnerships that we have forged with organisations that enable working opportunities for persons with disabilities , and this is definitely something that we will continue to do in the coming years ,” Laubender added .
Foodpanda ’ s commitment to diversity and inclusion in this area sets it apart . While many countries have legislation prohibiting employers from discriminating against people with disabilities , the unemployment rate among this group is as high as 80 per cent in some countries , according to the International Labour Organization .
However , Laubender is a firm believer in the benefits of hiring people with different experiences and perspectives .
“ Having diverse teams brings a number of benefits to the workplace – such as an increase in employee engagement and strengthened skill sets , and we want to ensure that Foodpanda continues to be a workplace that welcomes all .”
24 www . insideretail . asia August 2024