Supporting employers to turn inclusive hiring into practice
Challenge Poverty Week in Scotland, running from 5 to 11 October 2026, brings organisations and communities together to highlight poverty’s injustice and call for a just and equal Scotland. Good work is one of the most powerful answers to that call, and on 8 October, Scottish member SUSE showed what it can look like in practice.
SUSE published the report of its ‘Apt Making It Work’ project, alongside four practical Employer Guides for building workplaces that support disabled people and those with long-term health conditions. Funded by the Scottish Government, the project worked with 19 employers across the private, voluntary and social enterprise sectors, offering fully funded advice, support and training. Employer confidence grew measurably, especially around workplace support and digital accessibility, and people with lived experience shaped the learning throughout.
To mark the week, Tom Arthur MSP, Minister for Business and Fair Work, visited Springfield Properties’ Millerhill development to meet participating employers and see the changes at work. As SUSE’s CEO Grant Campbell put it, employers are ready to act when support is practical, proportionate and relevant to their business. The Minister added that supportive employers help people sustain employment and progress, which also means more money in people’s pockets.
The four Employer Guides
· Equitable Workplace Induction and In-Work Support
· Positive Workplace Conversations
· Workplace Digital Accessibility
· Improving Workplace Consultations
The full report is available on the Scottish Government website, offering employers a ready-made starting point. Find more on SUSE website.