How our Workplace Support Plan helps colleagues discuss ideas for workplace adjustments

At Anchor Hanover, we aim to be a great and inclusive place to work, and ensuring all colleagues can discuss the support they might need in their role is key to this. As part of National Inclusion Week 2021, Teagan Robinson, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Manager spoke with two colleagues about their recent experience of using Anchor Hanover's Workplace Support Plan.

What is Anchor Hanover's Workplace Support Plan? 

The Workplace Support Plan is a tool that can be used by colleagues and managers to facilitate conversations around workplace adjustments and any support that might be needed. 

In early 2021, the Anchor Hanover Disability Network, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion manager and Emily Horner, HR Business Partner, developed the Workplace Support Plan as part of the organisation’s continued commitment to support colleagues living with disabilities.

“I was surprised at how useful this was”

David Wheeler, an Anchor Hanover Scheme Manager, recently filled in the Workplace Support Plan, answering the range of clear and thought-provoking questions, and then sent it across to Dawn Hallam, his line manager. The plan was followed up by a conversation to discuss the next steps. 

“It was easy to fill out and I found the questions on the plan allowed me to give all the detail I needed to,” commented David.

Dawn found the Workplace Support Plan extremely useful and was pleased with how it prompted a conversation between her and her David about what support he may need at work. 

“After the Workplace Support Plan was sent to me, David and I had a discussion which led to us adding a more personal touch to our regular one-to-ones. It means we can assess the impact of how some business activities might affect David."

Dawn explained how the Workplace Support Plan gave her insight into how she can be a supportive manager: “I think something like this plan is needed as you can’t see every disability, some disabilities are hidden.” 

David says working for an organisation like Anchor Hanover has made him feel comfortable in providing information around his disabilities; “Because of the culture here at Anchor Hanover, I knew I would be supported by my manager and felt I could be open and honest about my disabilities.

“It was a positive experience and the questions on the plan are great.

“It is important that colleagues who have first-hand experience of living with disabilities are able to have their say on what resources should be available to offer support, I felt reassured before I even read the Workplace Support Plan as I knew it had been reviewed by colleagues in our Disability Network.”

David Wheeler is a Scheme Manager, and Dawn Hallam is an Area Manager, both with Anchor Hanover