NURTURING a diverse, equal and inclusive workplace is the subject of a film and campaign by staff at drinks can manufacturer Ball Corporation’s factory at Kettering.
Their film aims to raise awareness about people with disabilities in the workplace. It was launched this week to mark the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities last Sunday (December 3).
Ball, the world’s leading manufacturer of infinitely recyclable aluminium drinks cans, opened its fourth UK-based manufacturing plant in Burton Latimer, near Kettering, at the start of 2023.
Neil Howitt, warehouse manager at Ball’s Kettering plant, who appears in the video, said: “This is the second year our plant has supported the International Day of Persons with Disabilities and it has proven to be the perfect opportunity to look back at the things we have done on our inclusivity journey so far and to look forward at ways we can build on our progress.”
The company uses innovative and accessible approaches to its recruitment to ensure everyone – regardless of disability – has the opportunity to gain employment with the company, said Lauren Touré, diversity and inclusion manager for Ball Beverage Packaging in Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia region and Aerosol Packaging.
“It is not just talk,” she added. “We have taken action and I am really proud of the work we have done and excited about the journey ahead. There is more action to take and more physical and behavioural barriers to break down but, with our strong culture and focus on diversity and inclusion, I am confident it is something we can do as a team.”
Ball Corporation has a dedicated team of Executive Diversity Champions who use their positions of influence and experience to foster a culture of belonging and act as agents of change within their focus areas. One of them is Tom McCarthy, vice president of integrated business planning at Ball Beverage Packaging EMEA, who championed the discussions and the resulting film.
“We have seen this kind of sustained, positive influence bear fruit where colleagues with disabilities or long-term health conditions can now access any reasonable adjustments more easily, if they feel they need them, on a confidential and one-to-one basis
“The video provides a genuine snapshot of how talented people with disabilities can and are contributing their skills in a variety of roles to Ball’s global operations every day- often without their peers’ awareness of their unique ability.”
The World Health Organization estimates that more than one billion people – about 15% of the world’s population – experience some form of disability. The film by Ball Corporation aims to highlight the talents of people with disabilities and how much they contribute to everyday activity at Ball.
International Day of Persons with Disabilities aims to spread awareness and understanding of disabilities that might not be immediately visible, such as mental illness, chronic pain or fatigue and learning disabilities.
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