GXO marks World Down Syndrome Day in the UK

GXO is one of the largest employers of people with Down’s syndrome in the UK & Ireland

GXO celebrates seven-year partnership with Down’s Syndrome Association charity, WorkFit

GXO Logistics, Inc. (NYSE: GXO), the world’s largest pure-play contract logistics provider, today celebrates being one of the UK’s largest employers of colleagues with Down’s syndrome on World Down Syndrome Day.

Since its longstanding collaboration with the Down’s Syndrome Association’s WorkFit programme which began in 2018, GXO has provided employment opportunities to 52 people with Down’s syndrome at a number of its UK sites.

WorkFit assists GXO in finding the right location and roles for each individual, working with each colleague’s support network to know exactly what their strengths and capabilities are.

“We’re incredibly proud to be one of the largest employers of people who have Down’s syndrome in the UK,” said Mark Simmons, Senior Vice President of HR at GXO. “Our partnership with WorkFit is about employing truly capable people and providing them with a positive start into employment. There are over 880,000 adults of working age in the UK with a learning disability, yet roughly just 5% of those are in paid employment.”

“Our colleagues who have Down’s syndrome make a real contribution to the success of our business and prove that learning disabilities are not a barrier to being part of the workforce. These colleagues bring dedication, enthusiasm, and a strong work ethic, enriching our teams and reinforcing our inclusive culture. We’re proud to help change perceptions about what’s possible in the workplace – we don’t presume they can’t, we presume they can,” concluded Simmons.

86% of people with a learning disability are without jobs despite wanting to work. This can often be down to industries having barriers to entry into the workforce, despite their being many opportunities for inclusive employment. This is where the right support comes in, both for employees who have Down’s syndrome looking for roles, and support from businesses in adapting their facilities and ways of working for those with disabilities.

This year’s theme for World Down Syndrome Day is support and GXO’s partnership with WorkFit encompasses this at its core. The companies are leading by example to address this employment gap by supporting people with Down’s syndrome to access employment in the UK, providing the platform, structured training and support tailored to each individual’s needs.

WorkFit’s Head of Employment Services, Alison Thwaite, said: ‘We are so happy to mark the ongoing success of our partnership with GXO. Their commitment to an inclusive workplace, from the very top and at so many of their sites, has been incredible. It’s great to work with them to develop tailored roles for our hard-working and dedicated candidates who bring so much to their work, and for whom having a job makes such a huge difference in all aspects of their lives. GXO’s actions demonstrate the company’s commitment to Belonging.’

Ryan, GXO’s 50th colleague to be hired who has Down’s syndrome, is an example of someone who has benefited from the work GXO carries out with WorkFit. Working as Warehouse Operative at GXO Bradford, Ryan’s story was inspirational for many.

Commenting on what this job means to him, Ryan said: “I really like working in the warehouse and can now work on my own most of the time without any help, although my buddy Mario is always around to help me if I need it. I am enjoying my new job and everyone I have met so far has been really nice.”

In November 2023, both GXO and WorkFit were recognised for their leading work by the British Association for Supported Employment (BASE). GXO was recognised with the Large Employer Award and Workfit was recognised with the Small Supported Employment Team of the Year award.

About GXO Logistics

GXO Logistics, Inc. (NYSE: GXO) is the world’s largest pure-play contract logistics provider and is benefiting from the rapid growth of ecommerce, automation and outsourcing. GXO is committed to providing a diverse, world-class workplace for more than 150,000 team members across more than 1,000 facilities totaling approximately 200 million square feet. The company partners with the world’s leading blue-chip companies to solve complex logistics challenges with technologically advanced supply chain and ecommerce solutions, at scale and with speed. GXO corporate headquarters is in Greenwich, Connecticut, USA. Visit  GXO.com  for more information and connect with GXO on  LinkedIn, X, Facebook, Instagram  and  YouTube.

About WorkFit

The Down’s Syndrome Association (DSA) is a registered (1061474) national charity that exists to provide information and support for people who have Down’s syndrome, their families, carers and those with a professional interest. The DSA seeks to improve knowledge and understanding and champion the rights of people who have Down’s syndrome. To find out more about the work of the DSA visit our website downs-syndrome.org.uk

WorkFit is the Down’s Syndrome Association’s employment programme that brings together employers and job-seekers who have Down’s syndrome and focuses on finding the right employment opportunities for them and ensuring that they have the support they need to be successful in the workplace.

Terminology: Down’s syndrome – What to say (and not to say)

The most important thing to remember is that everyone who has Down’s syndrome is an individual, with their own strengths and weaknesses and personality traits that make them who they are. Please use person-first language. For example, ‘A person who has Down’s syndrome‘. Please visit the DSA’s website for further guidance.

Down’s syndrome or Down syndrome?

It is generally accepted that both Down’s syndrome and Down syndrome can be used interchangeably. For us at the Down’s Syndrome Association, the most important thing is the use of person first terminology (e.g. ‘person with Down’s syndrome’, not ‘Down’s syndrome person’). The use of the possessive apostrophe is a recognised model that is used for a number of conditions in Britain, thus, in the UK, Down’s syndrome is used more commonly, whereas in other countries the more prominent is Down’s syndrome.