// Co-op looks to break the ‘class ceiling’ through new social mobility campaign
// Almost a fifth of adults believe their background has caused them to miss out on job opportunities
Co-op has launched a new nine-point business plan on social mobility as it looks to break the ‘class ceiling’.
This comes as research by ICM conducted on behalf of Co-op found that almost a fifth of UK adults believe they have missed out on a job due to their background, accent or social status.
Over a third (35%) also agree that their accent and the way they talk reduce the opportunities available to them.
As a result, the nine-point plan will see the convenience retailer making changes to internal job adverts to ensure colleagues are aware of how their skills could suit a sideways move or promotion, as well as help employees become more financially resilient.
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Co-op will be creating an internal social mobility taskforce to work through the findings of its research with social mobility charity, Making the Leap. It will establish a new mentoring scheme for colleagues with lower socio-economic backgrounds.
The retailer is also campaigning for socio-economic background to become the 10th protected characteristic under the 2010 Equalities Act, with 72% of people supporting a change to the law.
“It cannot be right that those from less advantaged backgrounds are almost twice as likely to end up in working class jobs than others from more privileged backgrounds,” Co-op Group CEO, Shirine Khoury-Haq, said.
“Our evidence shows socio-economic background can act as a brake on progression and performance – this has to change. We want to lead by example, taking action to identify where unfairness is holding our people back.
“And that’s why we are also calling on the government and other parties to make it a priority in their manifesto and it becoming illegal to discriminate against an individual because of their background.”
In May, Co-op unveiled a new compassionate leave policy giving greater flexibility for paid leave for bereavement.
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