Recruitment hints and tips
Communication
Good communication is one of the most important ways in which good e-recruiters distinguish themselves from other organisations. Conveying to applicants the sense you are genuinely interested in their personal concerns is key to attracting the best people. An organisation able to communicate effectively with disabled people will be well placed to respond to the individual needs of every applicant.
Requirements for communicating:
- Adjust electronic communications for the candidate Apply web accessibility guidelines to both HTML and non-HTML email (HTML email is effectively a web page with links, graphics, audio, animation, frames etc. Non-HTML email is standard text only email)
- Enable online requests for print/alternative information Make it possible for candidates to order accessible recruiting materials (e.g. large print brochures, audio-tape, Braille information)
- Provide person-to-person communications Provide a helpline number, textphone number and email address on an accessible page of your e-recruitment site
- Train and equip HR personnel and web-help team in disability etiquette and technology such as textphones and typetalk
- Automatic email response Include details of the application process, including timescales, interviews, assessment and when the applicant can expect to hear from you next. Also mention your willingness to make adjustments at interview
The Disability Communication Guide
The Disability Communication Guide helps human resources managers, line managers and all other staff feel at ease when they are communicating with disabled colleagues and customers.
As the Employers' Forum on Disability's best seller, more than one million copies of the Disability Communication Guide have been circulated among UK businesses since the publication's launch in 1999.
This latest edition, produced in association with Barclays, has been updated and redesigned to improve accessibility and ease of use.
For further information on the Forum's activities, including publications, events, research, information helpline and membership benefits log on to our website: www.employers-forum.co.uk
For a publications' list, a quote for customising our publications to your individual needs and incorporating your company logo and equal opportunities statement, or simply to place an order, please phone 020 7089 2410.
Who needs to know what?
The HR Manager needs to know how to provide alternative formats and know where to find different training courses available for staff
HR staff/ call centre staff should receive training on communicating with disabled people, including disability etiquette and how to use textphones
"Lloyds TSB is committed to recruiting a talented and diverse workforce, a number of initiatives have been developed to enable us to attract people with disabilities. These have included training for our national team of Recruitment Consultants, which covered all areas of recruitment from application to interview, our obligations under the DDA and guidelines on best practice." Lloyds TSB
"We launched disability awareness training for our recruiting community so they are able to deal efficiently with resulting enquiries. A number of enquiries were received from disabled applicants and we were able to proactively make appropriate adjustments for them in the interview process." Goldman Sachs
"If you require, or wish to send in, an alternative format of the application form (e.g. audio application form), please let us know." Statement from Department for Education and Skills website
