Partner Article

North East Equality Awards under way

A regional awards ceremony aims this year to mark the importance of the smarter working movement. A new category at the North East Equality Awards will be sponsored by the Work Wise North East campaign - the Work Wise award for innovative working practices. The judges will be looking for flexible working practices such as home working and job sharing initiatives which promote ‘work-life’ balance and business benefits. The award is open to all organisations in the private, public and voluntary sectors who are based in the region.

Simon Roberson, chairman of Work Wise North East said: “We are encouraging all employers large and small, who are leading the way in terms of smarter working practices to enter these awards.”

Liz Reay, chief executive of Equality North East, organisers of the awards said: “These awards recognise those employers, training providers and individuals who carry out good equality practice thereby getting the best people for the job and reaping the business benefits. “To be recognised as a Work Wise award winner not only brings positive publicity for the winners - improving reputation and image, but there are also real business benefits.”

Regional leaders have pledged to back the Work Wise campaign for the next two years in a bid to revolutionise working practices and make the North East a cutting-edge location in which to work. Current partners include the NECC, EEF, BT, TUC, Government Office, One North East, Onyx and Equality North East.

For further information about the Equality North East Awards, including the Work Wise award contact Helen Fletcher at Equality North East on 0191 495 6262, by email at awards@equality-ne.co.uk or visit www.equality-ne.co.uk/projects/awards/2008/. For information on the Work Wise campaign visit www.workwiseuk.org.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .