Sodexo signs Global Business and Disability Network Charter

TORONTO, July 12, 2016 /CNW/ - To further express its global commitment to inclusion and support for people with disabilities, Sodexo just signed the internationally recognized ILO Global Business Disability Network Charter.

Signatories to the Charter agree to work together to advance workplace inclusion on a global scale by sharing ideas, resources and best practices.

The signing ceremony took place June 29^th in Paris at a special event organized by the International Labor Organization (ILO) Global Business and Disability Network (GBDN).

The Charter, which provides a common global framework for including people with disabilities, was signed by Denis Machuel, Sodexo's CEO, Benefits and Rewards Services, and leader of the company's Disability Voice Taskforce. Other multinational enterprises signing the Charter included: IBM France, BNP Paribas and Repsol.

Machuel pledged that, over the next 10 years, Sodexo would continue its drive to actively recruit, engage and support people with disabilities throughout its worldwide operations, including Canada.

The four companies that signed the Charter also became members of GBDN, which brings businesses together to promote workplace inclusion by highlighting the business advantages of employing people with disabilities. Founded in 2010, the network acts as a facilitator and responds to requests from members to develop tools, share knowledge and expedite business-to-business meetings and dialogue around disability-related issues.

Sodexo Canada has long been committed to breaking down barriers to employment for people with disabilities. The company's strategic vision is to provide a truly inclusive workplace culture, regardless of physical or mental disability, age, gender, nationality, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity.

"By signing this Charter, we express our commitment to Canadians with disabilities to provide meaningful employment opportunities and workplace supports," says Barry Telford, President of Sodexo Canada. "The information platform provided by the Global Business and Disability Network also provides us with a valuable resource to continuously improve our approach to workplace inclusion."

About Sodexo in Canada
Sodexo has been delivering On-Site Services in Canada for over 40 years. Recognized as a strategic partner, Sodexo Canada has consolidated its position by providing a range of Quality of Life Services for clients, their employees and visitors in the healthcare, corporate, education and remote sites segments. Delivering food and facilities management services for over 200 clients, Sodexo is a market leader in Canada in terms of revenue and consumers served, and has been recognized as a top employer for the past four consecutive years. Sodexo Canada is proud to have created the Sodexo Foundation, an independent charitable organization that has donated more than one million meals to at risk youth in Canada since it was founded in 2000.

Sodexo on Twitter: @SodexoCanada

SOURCE Sodexo Canada

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