TLT recognised as a Top 75 employer in 2020 Social Mobility Employer Index

Manchester-based TLT has been ranked in the Social Mobility Employer Index 2020, the leading authority on employer best practice, demonstrating the firm’s continued commitment to social mobility.

The Index was created by the Social Mobility Foundation (SMF) in 2017 and ranks UK employers on the action they take to ensure they are open to and progressing talent from all backgrounds. It highlights the employers who are doing the most to change how they find, recruit, and advance talented employees from different social class backgrounds. Now in its fourth year the Employer Index is the definitive benchmark of organisations committed to improving social mobility in the workplace.

Employers are assessed across seven key areas, these include their work with young people, routes into the company, how they attract talent, recruitment and selection, data collection, progression, experienced hires, and advocacy.

TLT has been ranked 68 in the Index for the work the firm has done to ensure those from lower socio-economic backgrounds have the ability to succeed. This includes the introduction of a contextual recruitment system to help identify candidates with the greatest potential, regardless of their social background, and the use of standardised questions for trainee interviews to ensure candidates are all being judged on the same criteria.

Esther Smith, partner and equality, diversity and inclusion champion at TLT, says:

“We’re delighted to have been recognised in the Index in recognition of what we’ve achieved so far, and we’re keen to go further and implement new approaches that will ensure we are accessing and progressing talent from all backgrounds.

“The SMF has provided us with individual feedback on our submission, which contains helpful guidance and information to ensure we continue to do our best to improve social mobility over the months and years ahead.”

Sarah Atkinson, chief executive of the Social Mobility Foundation, said:

“I am delighted that TLT committed to entering the Index this year despite the challenges they have faced in the wake of the pandemic. Now more than ever, we need to see business play their part in the levelling up agenda.”

The Rt. Hon. Alan Milburn, chair of the Social Mobility Foundation, added:

“As the COVID-19 crisis continues and the UK descends into a sharp recession, more will need to be done to avoid a job catastrophe, for young people particularly. Already 60% of the jobs that have been lost since the pandemic began have been among 18-24 year olds.

“I urge those sectors of our economy that are not represented in this year’s Index to participate in 2021 and commit to joining the ranks of those employers who are already making such a difference to young people’s life chances.”