GXO champions Down’s Syndrome staff

Since its longstanding collaboration with the Down’s Syndrome Association’s WorkFit programme which began in 2018, GXO has provided employment opportunities to 52 people with the syndrome.

WorkFit assists GXO in finding the right location and roles for each individual, working with each colleague’s support network to know exactly what their strengths and capabilities are.

Mark Simmons, senior VP of HR at GXO, said: “We’re incredibly proud to be one of the largest employers of people who have Down’s syndrome in the UK.

“Our partnership with WorkFit is about employing truly capable people and providing them with a positive start into employment.

“There are over 880,000 adults of working age in the UK with a learning disability, yet roughly just 5% of those are in paid employment.

“Our colleagues who have Down’s syndrome make a real contribution to the success of our business and prove that learning disabilities are not a barrier to being part of the workforce.

“These colleagues bring dedication, enthusiasm, and a strong work ethic, enriching our teams and reinforcing our inclusive culture.”

Simmons added: “We’re proud to help change perceptions about what’s possible in the workplace – we don’t presume they can’t, we presume they can.”

Ryan is GXO’s 50^th colleague to be hired who has Down’s syndrome and he works as a warehouse operative at its Bradford depot.

He said: “I really like working in the warehouse and can now work on my own most of the time without any help, although my buddy Mario is always around to help me if I need it.

“I am enjoying my new job and everyone I have met so far has been really nice.”

WorkFit’s head of employment services, Alison Thwaite, said: ‘We are so happy to mark the ongoing success of our partnership with GXO.

“Their commitment to an inclusive workplace, from the very top and at so many of their sites, has been incredible.

“It’s great to work with them to develop tailored roles for our hard-working and dedicated candidates who bring so much to their work, and for whom having a job makes such a huge difference in all aspects of their lives.”