8 January 2026

Guernsey Employers’ Disability Charter Launches Second Edition with Support from Founding Members

Guernsey Employment Trust (GET) is proud to announce the launch of the second edition of the Employers’ Disability Charter, designed to create welcoming and accessible workplaces for disabled and neurodivergent people across the island.

The Charter sets out eight clear commitments that employers pledge to uphold, from encouraging applications from disabled people and embedding inclusive recruitment practices, to guaranteeing interviews for disabled candidates who meet your minimum criteria and providing ongoing training for managers. By signing the Charter, employers demonstrate their commitment to building people-first organisations where fairness, respect, and opportunity are at the heart of workplace culture.

Founding Members

A diverse group of organisations have already signed up as founding members, representing sectors from aviation, finance, healthcare, retail, and charities. These employers are leading the way in shaping a more inclusive future for Guernsey:

Why a Second Edition?

The first Charter was launched in 2017.  At that time, Guernsey didn’t yet have discrimination legislation.  The Charter was about working towards inclusive practice, setting commitments that employers could aspire to, rather than obligations they were bound by.

Legislation has now been introduced, and employers now have clear legal responsibilities.  That’s a really important step forward but the Charter isn’t about compliance.  It’s about supporting employers as collaborative partners, helping them not only meet those requirements but to go further, in ways that are practical and meaningful for the workplace.

Alongside this, awareness has grown.  Words like neurodiversity, which were rarely used in 2017, are now part of everyday conversation.  There’s also been a stronger recognition of accessibility, whether in recruitment, workplace design or communication.

These shifts in law, awareness, and practice are why GET felt the time was right for a second edition.

GET’s Chief Executive, Nikki Ioannou-Droushiotis, says "The Charter is about changing the way we think about talent and building workplaces that thrive on difference. This second edition of the Employers’ Disability Charter reflects how far Guernsey has come in awareness and practice, but also how much further we can go together. We’ve made it easier to use, more visually accessible, and practical for everyday workplace application. Importantly, it wasn’t created in isolation.  The Second Edition was shaped in collaboration with many partners, including several of our founding members who have been providing opportunities for disabled people for years. Their leadership has been invaluable. The Charter is not a tick-box exercise; it’s about embedding inclusion into the fabric of workplace culture and there is plenty of time for other employers to join this true community effort.  Details of how to sign the Second Edition are available on our website."

Why Sign the Charter?

The Charter provides tangible steps for employers to develop inclusive recruitment practices and disability awareness. It helps organisations build a greater understanding of how flexibility and workplace adjustments remove barriers, opening access to a wider pool of talent.

Employers who sign the Charter commit to:

#1 Encourage applications from disabled people: We will encourage job applications from disabled individuals and ensure fair consideration for all candidates.

#2 Implement inclusive recruitment practice: We will embed inclusive practice throughout recruitment by removing unnecessary barriers and making reasonable adjustments to ensure fair and equal opportunities.

#3 Guarantee interviews for disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria: We will guarantee a job interview for disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for our job vacancies.

#4 Keep improving accessibility and support for disabled people: We are committed to building an inclusive and accessible workplace. We recognise the diversity of disabilities and understand this is a continuous process.

#5 Anticipate and provide reasonable adjustments: We will support employees to succeed by understanding and offering reasonable workplace adjustments.

#6 Offer disabled individuals opportunities to develop workplace skills: We will provide work experience placements, job tasters, and practice interviews for disabled and neurodivergent individuals, wherever practicable.

#7 Ongoing training and development to support disability inclusion: We will provide ongoing training and development for managers and supervisors to ensure they have the knowledge, skills, and confidence to support disabled and neurodivergent employees effectively.

#8 Become a Disability Inclusion Ambassador: We will lead by example and enhance employment opportunities for disabled members of our community.

By embedding these values, employers often improve staff retention and also strengthen their reputation as employers of choice.

A Call to Action

GET invites all Guernsey employers, large and small, to join. Signing the Charter demonstrates your commitment to creating a workplace that values diversity and inclusion.

For more information and to sign up, visit www.get.org.gg/employers/charter, email info@get.org.gg, or call 01481 247999.

Together, we can make Guernsey a place where every individual’s talents are recognised, respected, and valued.