Business in the Community’s Post

As we advance into 2025, we continue driving positive change across the UK, with a strategic vision to transform employment and community opportunities. Our recent Impact Report highlights our social impact vision: 💡 Every young person and jobseeker supported with clear pathways into work 💡 Employers investing in skills for today and tomorrow 💡 Building pride and hope in 16 communities, with an ambition to transform 50 places by 2032 From breaking down barriers to employment and ensuring employees thrive at work, to helping businesses tackle workplace challenges and transforming places into flourishing communities – we remain at the forefront of #ResponsibleBusiness practices. Curious about the real-life success stories and the difference we've made? Download our Impact Report today: https://lnkd.in/eUrhMP9G

What do job seekers look for in an employer? A firm’s values are increasingly just as important as salary, work conditions and promotion opportunities. Values might include a strategy to reduce carbon footprint, a volunteer program to help disadvantaged Australians or actively making workplaces more inclusive for those with a disability. Companies that are open about their values-led programs will attract great talent, which is a win for staff and the business, says Janet Menzies, Amazon Australia’s Country Lead. "Our approaches to environmental sustainability, diversity, equity and inclusion, and social impact are imperative to the culture we are building,” she tells LinkedIn News Australia. Click through the slides below to see some of the practical ways this year’s Top Companies approach environmental sustainability, diversity and inclusion and social impact. In addition to Menzies, see quotes from Kathryn van der Merwe (Telstra), Kate Aitken (Optus), Richard Dias (AustralianSuper), Shirley F. Womack (ResMed), Melissa Ries (ServiceNow), Amy Murrell (Rest), Simon Gillin (NAB) and Nidhi Chopra (Adobe ANZ). What do you think about the idea of values-led job seeking? Join the conversation in the comments, or post your own thoughts using #LinkedInTopCompanies. By Cathy Anderson #ESG #sustainability #SocialImpact #Diversity See the full list of Australian Top Companies for 2024 here: https://lnkd.in/AusTopCompanies24

This resonates with my client conversations recently. Employers are looking to advance their Employee Value Proposition and enhance their Employer Brand while focusing on being socially responsible. Organisations that are transparent about their values and actively engage in programs to support them are more likely to attract top talent. These values might include #socialimpact, #genderequality and #wellbeing initiatives. #familyfriendlyworkplaces #ESGgoals

In addition to conventional factors like salary, work conditions, and promotion opportunities, job seekers now prioritize a company’s values, including environmental sustainability, social impact, and inclusivity efforts. Transparently showcasing these values attracts top talent, benefiting both employees and the business. Discover how this year’s Top Companies in Australia exemplify these cultural aspects. Join the discussion on values-led job seeking with #LinkedInTopCompanies. Swipe through the quotes below to see ResMed‘s initiatives to minimize pollution and promote biodegradable waste reduction. Explore the complete list of Australian Top Companies for 2024 https://lnkd.in/AusTopCompanies24 #ResMed

𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐏𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬: 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲?  Opportunity is transformative. It can open doors, build careers, and change lives. But for too many, those doors remain closed – not because of a lack of talent or drive, but because of socio-economic barriers. We’ve all heard stories of individuals full of potential, yet held back by circumstances beyond their control: the graduate whose accent triggers bias in interviews, the jobseeker dismissed for not having a university degree, or the professional passed over for opportunities because they didn’t “fit the mould”. These barriers don’t just hold back individuals; they represent a loss for businesses and society. When organisations make the decision to actively remove these barriers, the impact is transformative. Employment doesn’t just pay the bills, it provides stability, fuels ambition and gives people the chance to build better futures for themselves and their families. I see this not just as a moral responsibility, but as a strategic imperative. By facilitating social mobility through work, businesses can reap the rewards too. Wider talent pools. Stronger engagement. More diverse workplaces. And a significant boost to innovation and growth. PageGroup’s latest research with Cebr underscores the potential. Small improvements in work-related social mobility – an increase of just two points on the World Economic Forum’s Global Social Mobility Index – could spark remarkable change. For example, in the UK, it could mean 232,000 more people in work and add £16.5 billion to the annual GDP. And in Spain, it could result in 173,000 more people in employment, equating to an additional €9.5 billion in GDP. The ripple effects would be profound, driving not only economic gains but a more inclusive and equitable society. But progress starts with businesses asking some hard questions: Are we offering equal opportunities? Are we unintentionally overlooking diverse talent? While achieving equity is a long-term journey, every organisation can take meaningful steps to make their hiring processes and work culture more inclusive. To help navigate this, we’ve created the Social Mobility in the Workplace Guide, providing actionable insights to foster equitable workplaces and unlock untapped potential, which you can read here: https://lnkd.in/griMunTe By breaking down barriers, businesses can not only transform lives but also build stronger teams, better workplaces, and a more inclusive society.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤: Thriving in a Transformative Landscape as we look towards the next 50 years. In an article that was shared by Omar Ramirez it would seem that the landscape of work is poised to undergo significant transformations, driven by technological advancements, environmental imperatives, and evolving societal needs. I’m not so sure that such a bright vision can be achieved in its entirety but even if some of it were then that would be quite significant. 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐈 𝐠𝐨𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐂𝐆 𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐥𝐞 𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝: 1. 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐉𝐨𝐛 𝐎𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬: Despite fears of automation and AI displacing jobs, experts predict new employment opportunities, particularly in sectors that leverage human creativity and problem-solving skills such as regenerative industries and community-focused roles. 2. 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞: The demand for technical skills involving AI and robotics will grow, alongside interpersonal skills like empathy, creativity, and teamwork. Continuous learning and adaptability will be essential to navigate the changing work environment. 3. 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐲 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐬: Future economic models will emphasize sustainability and circular processes, minimizing waste and environmental impact. Policymaking will need to focus on education, encouraging lifelong learning and tech literacy from an early age. 4. 𝐀 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞-𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐞𝐬: Jobs will flourish in areas that support environmental health and community well-being, marking a shift from industrial to more regenerative and empathetic economic models. 5.  𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲: Addressing a range of risks systematically—from cybersecurity to climate security—holistic approaches will be crucial for creating safe and stable work environments. This vision of the future of work calls for a proactive approach in policy-making and education  (something I’m not entirely sure will happen), ensuring that the workforce is equipped not only with technical skills but also with the capability to foster human connections and sustain personal and community health. There are many contributing authors: Pavel Luksha, Sagar Goel, Leonid Gorenburg, Leila Hoteit, Anton Stepanenko.                  They put forward, as I understand it, the notion that by embracing these changes all can thrive in an economically sustainable and technologically advanced world. It is a vision for a future where work not only demands more from us technologically but also connects us deeper to our communities and the planet. Have a read and tell me what you think. #FutureOfWork #Sustainability #WorkforceDevelopment #RegenerativeEconomy #TechnologicalInnovation #Workplace

Social Mobility Day is only 2 days away, and it’s about time we start talking about the important role businesses play in advancing social mobility 🌟 But we didn’t need to write a caption for this post. Our partners perfectly explain the role businesses can play in the social mobility space 💡 💪“With great power comes great responsibility” quotes Hannah from Intermediate Capital Group (ICG), and she is absolutely right. 📣“It’s not right that someone’s background and where they grew up can determine where they can end up in life.” - Hollie Crompton, Social Mobility Lead at PwC UK. 🙌“When businesses fully commit to diverse recruitment practices, when they champion #FairPay, and when they invest time, money and effort into the #education, #recruitment and #retention of underserved communities, they can be huge enablers of social mobility.” - Gemma Collins, Programme Manager at The Hg Foundation. 🏦“In financial services, over 80% of senior roles are held by those from higher socio-economic backgrounds; that’s not acceptable and needs to be corrected.” - Jon Terry, Board Member at the Diversity Project - Investment Industry. 💡“We can be a vehicle, and a safe space for more comfortable conversations that normalise discussions around #SocialMobility in the workplace, including topics such as #Accent differences.” -  Matthew York, Acting DEI Manager at A&O Shearman. “Organisations can play their part [in social mobility] by sparking ambition, opening doors and giving everyone the best shot regardless of where you may have come from.” - Andy Dent, DEI&I Director at Bain & Company. We’re proud to be working with industry leaders to transform social mobility. What do you think about the role businesses can play in social mobility? Share with us in the comments 👇 #SocialMobilityDay #TransformingSocialMobility #EqualityForAll #DEI #ClassAwareness #SocialMobility

What gets measured gets done. That’s been my guiding principle, and it drives The Purpose Coalition’s mission to create fairer access to opportunity. While we measure progress in education, employment has remained untracked - until now. 🚨Introducing The Social Scopes Measurement Standard This week in Parliament, with cross-party MPs, I launched the Social Scopes Measurement Standard. Developed with businesses of all sizes, this groundbreaking framework measures employer social mobility and impact through a holistic, consistent, and transparent approach. 🌟 How It Works: Inspired by environmental Scopes 1, 2, and 3, the Social Scopes measure access to opportunity through: •⁠ ⁠Scope 1: Tracking employees’ socio-economic background to ensure equitable access and career progression. •⁠ ⁠Scope 2: Getting suppliers and supply chains tracking socio-economic background. •⁠ ⁠Scope 3: Measuring core social impact contribution to communities and customers. This new Social Scopes standard ‘democratises’ social impact tracking, enabling employers of any size to benchmark outcomes, share insights, and drive innovation. Transparency will show society the breadth of impact employers are achieving. 💡 Driving Change Together: The Social Scopes will: •⁠ ⁠Compare social mobility efforts across sectors and regions. •⁠ ⁠Build the first evidence base to track equality of opportunity. •⁠ ⁠Develop targeted strategies for driving inclusion. Huge thanks to Steven Cooper CBE and Angela Halliday for their pivotal roles in bringing this vision to life, and to the Business Leadership Advisory Council for their invaluable support. We’ll run workshops from January 2025 to help employers adopt Social Scopes tracking. Sign up now to join the movement. Together, we can ensure that what gets measured gets done. 👉 More info: https://lnkd.in/eRSiXAzi #SocialScopes #LeadingWithPurpose #EqualityOfOpportunity #SocialImpact

📢 Launching the Social Scopes Measurement Standard This week, we proudly launched the Social Scopes Measurement Standard in Parliament, a groundbreaking framework to measure employer social mobility and social impact. Developed with input from our members, employers of all sizes and sectors this new standard provides a clear, consistent, and transparent way to track progress in creating fairer access to opportunity. Inspired by environmental Scopes 1, 2, and 3, the Social Scopes focus on people: • Scope 1: Tracking employees’ socio-economic backgrounds. • Scope 2: Extending this commitment to suppliers and supply chains. • Scope 3: Measuring businesses’ community and customer impact. This holistic framework enables employers to benchmark their efforts, share insights, and drive innovation, ensuring that what gets measured gets done. We’ll begin workshops in January 2025 to help employers adopt the Social Scopes and track their impact. Together, we can transform access to opportunity across the UK. 👉 For more information, visit https://lnkd.in/djSwZ9VE #SocialScopes #EqualityOfOpportunity #SocialImpact #LeadingWithPurpose

🌟 Unlock Social Impact & Workforce Development—Partner with Us! 🌟 Spark Sisterhood and Team Future Group are leading a unique initiative that empowers young people transitioning out of care, and we’re looking for forward-thinking corporations to partner with us. This is an opportunity to develop job-ready talent while making a meaningful social impact—at no cost to your company. 🔑 What’s in it for your company?             •           Access skilled, motivated talent: A pool of young people equipped with the right skills for your industry.             •           Profit from cost savings: Our innovative financial model can unlock savings for your business, while delivering social impact.             •           Elevate your corporate responsibility: Show your commitment to society by directly helping young people thrive and succeed. 🔑 For young people:             •           They gain skills, mentorship, and a pathway to meaningful employment. 🔑 For society:             •           We reduce the financial burden on the social care system and build a stronger, more resilient workforce. And with conversations underway to bring this programme to television, your company’s involvement could receive national exposure, showcasing the role you play in making a difference. If your company is ready to be part of a win-win-win solution that supports business, young people, and society, let’s talk! #SocialImpact #CorporateResponsibility #WorkforceDevelopment #YouthEmpowerment #PartnershipsForChange ‎