UnumProvident and RNID launch the Workplace of the Future

Leading disability insurer, UnumProvident, has teamed up with RNID, the largest charity representing the UK's nine million deaf and hard of hearing people, to launch the next phase of The Workplace of the Future (WotF) campaign, targeting both politicians and employers.

In an ongoing partnership, RNID and UnumProvident have created a new Workplace of the Future stand, which showcases the importance of hearing tests as just one of the many options available to assist employees with finding an appropriate solution to disability.

This week, UnumProvident staff have had the first chance to see the stand at its Milton Court head office in Dorking, where an audiologist undertook individual hearing tests. From there, the stand will go on display at the Autumn party conferences of the Liberal Democrats, Labour and Conservative parties in Brighton and Blackpool. Before the end of the year the WotF stand will be set up at UnumProvident's other major centres in Basingstoke and Bristol when employees will be able to book their own individual hearing tests.

Now in its second year, the partnership between RNID and UnumProvident aims to highlight the range and depth of support needed to ensure those with a disability and older workers receive the help they need to remain in the workplace.

Joanne Hindle, Corporate Services Director at UnumProvident, said:

Changes in employment and most importantly changes in attitudes are vital if the workplace of the future is to be fully accessible for the older worker. Increasing skills shortages and life expectancy mean that older workers will become an ever increasing valuable asset to employers. No employer should underestimate the value disabled and older workers can bring to their businesses.

John Low, Chief Executive RNID, said:

Having your hearing tested is a simple and non-intrusive way of finding out whether practical changes to your professional environment can help you become accustomed to hearing loss. Simple solutions such as amplified telephones and loop systems for hearing aid users can make the world of difference to someone with a hearing loss and enable employees to perform at their best.

ENDS