Global Compact International Yearbook 2013
99
Good Practice
Labour Standards
a continuous legacy. We must drop the
word disabled and make ability and ac-
cessibility the main topics.”
Adecco Group CEO, Patrick De Mae­
seneire, highlighted both the economic
and social case for a diverse workforce,
stating that the inclusion of people with
different backgrounds and abilities into
the working world is high on Adecco’s
agenda: “Inclusion because we need it;
inclusion because we want it.” He drew
attention to a growing scarcity of work-
ers and skills that makes inclusiveness
essential and highlighted a study by the
Centre for Strategy & Evaluation Services,
which showed that more than 60 percent
of companies with diversity policies
reported that it strengthened cultural val-
ues, enhanced corporate reputations, and
helped them attract and retain highly
talented people. More than 50 percent of
companies stated that diversity contrib-
uted toward improved innovation and
creativity among employees, enhanced
service levels and customer satisfaction,
and helped overcome labor shortages. De
Maeseneire concluded: “As the leader in
inclusive workforce, it is our responsi-
bility to create opportunities and offer
solutions for individual development. It
not only enhances social harmony but
has tangible economic value at a time
when the skills shortage is growing.”
Multifaceted action for inclusion
As a Steering Committee Member of
the ILO Global Business and Disability
Network, our activities aimed at the
inclusion of disabled people are multi-
faceted. Through working with disability
organizations and government employ-
ment services, we helped more than
50,000
disabled people integrate into
the labor market between 2007 and 2012.
In 2012 the IPC and Adecco ex-
tended their relationship to deliver the
IPC Athlete Career Programme for the
next eight years. The cooperation began
in 2007 by helping Paralympians with
career guidance and employment to
sustain an income while competing for a
successful transition into the workforce.
So far, the Programme has been adopted
by 15 National Paralympic Committees,
with another 5 to 10 countries join-
ing in 2013. Dervis Konwalp, a British
Paralympian swimmer and multiple
medalist, states: “The Programme allows
us to see our own skills and realize the
traceability from our sporting careers
to our working careers.”
At Adecco we strongly believe in
the power of sport to engage and unite
people behind a common cause. Each
year, ourWin4Youth programgalvanizes
thousands of Adecco Group colleagues,
clients, and now also associates, to take
part in joint sporting activities to collect
kilometers and raise funds for organiza-
tions that have a clear focus on giving
young people a future in work and life.
In 2012 and 2013, we asked elite athletes
to champion theWin4Youth project. The
Godfather of the 2012 program was Bel-
gian disabled triathlete and role model,
Marc Herremans. In 2013, supporting
our Win4Youth efforts is medal-winning
Paralympian, Wheelchair Tennis player,
and “One of Us,” Florence Gravellier.
Since 2010 she has been leading the Dis-
ability and Skills Programme for Adecco
France. As a rolemodel for the power and
potential of inclusion, Gravellier says:
“
People do not define me as a former
athlete or Paralympian anymore. I have
become part of the mainstream work-
force. This is what inclusion is all about,
being accepted and playing a part.”
Adecco Group CEO Patrick De Maeseneire
during his presentation at the
IPC Academy Inclusion Summit in London.
Win4Youth Godmother 2013 Florence
Gravellier during the Beijing Olympic
Games in 2008.