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CSR Summary Strategic focus for 2021 Improving society person by person
We re on a journey to improve society person by person
CONTENTS 4 About Us More than just a service driven business 5 Foreword By Jamie Reynolds Cordant CEO 7 Our Beliefs Our positive impact aspirations and success measures 9 Our Goals The focus areas to which our CSR initiatives align 11 Our Strategy Our ve point strategy to support us in achieving our goals 13 16 17 19 Good jobs for all Maximising potential Building resilience Giving forward Nothing is complete nothing is perfect The single uid brushstroke nds strength in imperfection Expressive authentic creative dynamic it s a symbol of change Our name represents strength and support a cord gives power through connection The multiple strands work together to bind secure and protect 2
A great example of a company that can completely change their game Ground breaking innovative and excellent on all counts A great vision and well executed clearly a great place to work with a very set mission for everyone Judges at the 2019 Global Recruiter Awards
ABOUT US Who we are Cordant was founded in 1959 by the Ullmann family Starting with security services we soon became experts in the delivery of exible solutions to meet the changing needs of our clients As pioneers in the recruitment and facilities space our industry leading services allow us to take care of people and property so clients can focus on their core business The business grew and we began o ering other services such as multi sector recruitment healthcare cleaning and more recently technical facilities management We re about more than a service transaction we re about helping thousands of people to live good lives We re building a stronger society by welcoming a new era of positive impact shared values and enhanced cooperation Sixty years later and we employ around 125 000 sta each year most of which undertake work for over 5 000 client organisations We operate internationally across a broad and diverse range of specialisms although we ve grown our strong family foundations mean that we ve stayed connected to our employees clients and suppliers and to the communities we operate in 4
FOREWORD It s our business to make lives better Because we re in the business of working with people across the country we re in an excellent position to make a true di erence In 2020 we developed a more agile and e cient culture At every level colleagues are now working with more entrepreneurial spirit We have increased our training and development programs and aligned learning with changing business needs As we enter 2021 our mission continues to focus on improving society person by person and putting purpose at the heart of everything we do The unprecedented situation in which we have found ourselves has o ered the business a moment of re ection We have continued to operate with clients candidates and our wider communities at the centre of all activity Guided by our values and beliefs we have continued to have an impact Our achievements are the result of dedication and relentlessness and I thank the amazing teams across Cordant for their tenacity and drive In 2019 we started looking at our business through a di erent lens and with the support of many great colleagues across the Cordant family partners and some like minded clients we have been able to deliver a number of initiatives that have positively impacted many people s lives some of which we are delighted to share within this report Jamie Reynolds Cordant CEO
Cordant is a socially driven business that always goes above and beyond It is constantly reviewing and enhancing sta welfare working environments and health and safety concerns All of which are paramount for us to operate clean safe trains and stations Duncan Wilkins C2C Engineer Director 6
OUR BELIEFS The beliefs which guide us We believe in a society united by shared opportunities where everyone can maximise their potential nd ful lment and live meaningful lives Our success is measured on our positive impact and not by the pro t we generate We want to ensure that when we make pro t society pro ts with us When we grow we can create better opportunities fund more good initiatives and make positive change Prosperity for all Every person should have access to equal opportunities nancial security and the chance to enjoy true prosperity We re redistributing wealth to provide people with the support and resources to enjoy good health feel secure and reach their potential Covenant beyond contracts At Cordant we have embarked on a journey which will see us develop covenantal relationships with all our stakeholders where partnership takes precedence over transaction however we recognise that this transition will take time
Cordant s commitment to raising awareness and leading the ght against modern slavery demonstrates that they are an ethical and compliant provider It s great to know our colleagues are sourced by a business focused on human rights and fair treatment of workers Al Humphries Head of Procurement UK Ireland XPO Logistics 8
Our CSR goals OUR GOALS Our CSR goals de ne how we will live our purpose to improve society person by person Our goal is to help people Survive We re helping people to overcome hardship by providing sustainable earnings the working hours they want and need and the tools to build personal resilience Thrive We re enabling people to become the best version of themselves providing opportunities to develop progress and enhance overall wellbeing Revive We re creating systemic change by being a positive role model for better business putting people and society at the heart of what we do
We are thrilled to be working with Cordant Their commitment to supporting Centrepoint is inspiring and it has been wonderful to see our partnership go from strength to strength Not only has their fundraising been incredible but they are helping to make a real lasting di erence to the lives of homeless young people in the UK Faye Edmondson Head of Corporate Regional Fundraising at Centrepoint 10
Our Four point CSR strategy OUR STRATEGY Our four point strategy has been developed to support us in achieving our CSR goals These strategies aim to improve worker opportunities and create a society which focuses on purpose not pro t and wellbeing not wealth Our approach to sustainability is covered on this Corporate Social Responsibility Summary which represents a commitment by Cordant to behave responsibly We are dedicated to our contribution to economic development whilst improving the quality of life for our people and contributing to the communities in which we operate We recognise that our social economic and environmental responsibilities are integral to achieving our mission to improve society person by person Good jobs Maximising potential Building resilience Giving forward Promoting a diverse and inclusive workforce enabling people to nd good jobs which suit their personal needs and circumstances Supporting underrepresented social groups to realise their potential enhance their earnings and improve their health and wellbeing Implementing wellbeing strategies to help people build nancial and personal resilience needed to live a sustainable and ful lling life Making a di erence by supporting social businesses and charities and allowing colleagues to volunteer their time to good causes
Good jobs We are part of a Local Employment Partnership LEP which demonstrates our commitment to providing employment and training opportunities to the communities we operate in We work alongside Job Centre Plus to o er employment opportunities for people within the local community to assist them into moving into sustained employment with opportunities to progress Our dedicated Welfare to Work team focuses on nding sustainable employment for disadvantaged and marginalised groups across the UK We are part of the Disability Con dent scheme which helps organisations employ and retain disabled people or those with health conditions Building resilience Giving forward Maximising potential Employees are invited to contribute to our CSR through the Cordant Collective Idea s Hub We o er colleagues career development through apprenticeships access to e learning and the opportunity to partake in multiple leadership and talent programmes It is important to us to attract and retain the highest calibre of sta available and we do so by o ering clear paths career progression and comprehensive bene ts and bonus schemes We re committed to sustainable living wages for all and actively promote nancial resilience across all our contracts We are champions of Real Living Wage and collaborate with our clients to work towards fairer pay for all We rolled out a wellbeing survey the results of which will inform initiatives to promote nancial resilience We take time to listen to the needs and views of sta through PDRs meetings and surveys We immediately address any issues that a ect the morale and professional attitude of our most valuable asset our workforce Cordant partner with modern slavery charity Unseen to raise awareness and valuable funds to support their goals We only include businesses aligned to Cordant s values in our supply chain suppliers These suppliers are assessed for their own commitment to CSR and social impact Our challenge 50 campaign encourages colleagues to reduce their travel Awareness of travel impact an enhanced adoption of audio and video conferencing has reduced travel by 50 year on year in turn lowering our carbon footprint We are ISO14001 accredited and monitored All paper printer cartridges toners and mobile phones are now recycled as standard with facilities and a CSR champion clearly available in each o ce throughout the UK with funds secured donated to our nominated charity We have introduced a policy to reduce paper usage with an emphasis on better implementation of IT and electronic data storage and digital sharing 12
GOOD JOBS FOR ALL 2 569 Colleagues completed modern slavery training 92 Senior managers attended modern slavery seminars 11 Survivors of slavery found employment opportunities winners Campaign for Good Awards Best Equality Inclusion Our modern slavery strategy aims to empower all of us to help our colleagues We re making sure that we learn to see when someone might be exploited or in danger and provide tools and procedures to address the problem To date 2 569 people have carried out modern slavery training and 92 senior managers have attended partnership seminars with modern slavery charity Unseen We have worked with the Medaille Trust to nd employment opportunities for 11 survivors of slavery and partnered with Unseen to launch Be Seen Be Heard which raises awareness of modern slavery in high volume workforces Be Seen Be Heard won Best Equality and Inclusion Cause at the 2019 Campaign For Good Awards The campaign also caught the attention of the Home O ce who we collaborated with on Britain Thinks a research project which focused on modern slavery within the manufacturing warehousing logistics and food processing sector Awareness builds fairness We help people overcome hardship by providing them with good jobs sustainable earnings and the tools to build personal resilience
Equal opportunities Back to Work training programmes are part of our commitment to providing equal opportunities for all irrespective of ability background or work history We re not a supplier of consumer goods we supply people and people deserve to be treated fairly and with respect Our dedicated Welfare to Work team focuses on nding sustainable employment for disadvantaged and marginalised groups across the UK Over the last 12 months our collaborative partnerships with over 25 Back to Work providers and charities have resulted in 7 867 lives changed Through our work with multiple partners we are proud to have helped 644 individuals with non restrictive disabilities nd employment and transform their lives in the last 12 months Two of our brands have joined the Disability Con dent scheme which helps organisations employ and retain disabled people or those with health conditions As an inclusive and diverse employer we re committed to making the most of the talents disabled people can bring and believe that all people deserve an equal opportunity to succeed We ve helped 5 458 of our temporary colleagues to move into sustainable permanent contracts and with the support of our clients over 10 000 colleagues now receive the Real Living Wage In addition we ve introduced 6 690 unbanked workers who were previously losing up to 20 of their net earnings when cashing cheques to an alternative payment solution 2 217 644 5 458 10 000 6 690 Lives changed through B2W schemes Individuals with disabilities now in work Workers moved from temp to perm contracts Colleagues receive the real living wage Unbanked workers now receiving 100 earnings 14
We are thoroughly impressed by Cordant s approach to social responsibility and its support for the communities it works within Our united project to create community hubs will increase collaboration between local businesses bring people together and create a family friendly environment Kate Thurs eld at Capital Regional
MAXIMISING POTENTIAL Making big dreams happen 55 Colleagues on career development apprenticeships We enable people to become the best version of themselves providing them opportunities to develop progress and enhance overall wellbeing We aspire to allow all hidden talents and abilities to ourish so everyone can develop their skill sets expand their boundaries and nd ful lment in their work Across Cordant 55 people have been given the opportunity to expand their knowledge through career development programmes and 211 colleagues have enrolled onto apprenticeships at various levels Within our recruitment division we have launched four future business leader programmes Platinum People High Potential Operational Excellence and Emerging Talent 40 colleagues are currently enrolled Our Security business has also invested in people development having launched STAMP Security Training Accredited Management Program which supports security o cers wanting to move into management roles 15 individuals have embraced the programme to date 382 Colleagues enrolled on apprenticeships 40 Colleagues on leaders of tomorrow programmes 15 Security o cers on management training 16
A virtuous circle of wellbeing BUILDING RESILIENCE When we improve our health in one area this positively impacts the others Our wellbeing strategy promotes quality of life in three interconnected areas nancial mental and physical We re continuing to in uence clients to be NMW NLW compliant We re committed to sustainable living wages for all and actively promote nancial resilience across all our contracts Our temporary recruitment business have introduced xed weekly rotas for a large supermarket client who have now committed to 30 hours per week and six hour minimum shift length for colleagues Within our Cordant Services brand we are recognised as Living Wage Foundation compliant providing salaries based on the current living wage rates as well as ensuring workers have that they need to get by In the last 12 months we have helped 6 690 unbanked colleagues who were losing out on up to 20 of their salary due to cheque cashing fees open a bank account In partnership with nancial support organisation Neyber we rolled out a wellbeing survey the results of which will inform initiatives to promote nancial resilience The survey was completed by over 2 500 Cordant of our people based on their needs we will promote services such as nancial education and support low cost loans and advanced pay We support health and wellbeing initiative across the business and encouraging colleagues to improve their health taking one hour once a week to focus on themselves their tness and their mobility Our welfare programmes have been successful in promoting work life balance whilst encouraging colleagues to open up about mental or physical health issues We launched an Employee Value Proposition survey in partnership with Worklife360 to support us in building an EVP with our people in mind With the feedback we have been able to paint an insightful picture as to what motivates and inspires our employees and what they bene ts they seek in an employer
Go Ahead and Cordant have been partners for more than a decade building a strong relationship based on mutual values of delivering for the community Aligning our own sustainable goals with the companies throughout our supply chain enables us to lead the industry in holistic sustainable action Go Ahead s interim Chief Financial O cer Elodie Brian 18
GIVING FORWARD People and society rst We re creating systemic change by being a positive role model for better business putting people and society at the heart of what we do To date we have raised 140 000 for various charities including Centrepoint and Unseen The abolisment of modern slavery is particularly close to our hearts As a major people supplier we know labour abuse and exploitation is occurring at various points within our supply chains Without specialist insight it is incredibly di cult for us to have clear visibility of the issues With this in mind we have signed up to the Modern Slavery Helpline Business Portal which gives us sight of incident reports case data geographical mapping and other invaluable information which will strengthen our approach to tackling modern slavery Our relationship with Unseen consists of long term strategic projects that bring about sustainable impact as well as collaboration on fundraising and awareness generation Our award winning Be Seen Be Heard initiative is testament to how a united front can give a purposeful message the reach it deserves
Having partnered with Cordant for four years we have seen their determination to raise awareness and in uence change It s a partnership we re genuinely proud of Collaboration between Unseen and Cordant has strengthened cooperation and generated considerable focus attention and resource to tackling the growing issue of modern slavery Through our combined knowledge and expertise we can continue to nurture improved compliance and demonstrate best practice throughout supply chains workforces and customer bases Justine Currell Director of the Modern Slavery and Labour Exploitation Helpline 20
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