Find out how our Tertiary Internship Programme is helping Xero foster disability-diversity in its DEI initiatives.
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Xero, a global small business platform, with a vision to make life better for people in small business, has grown into a leader in the diversity and inclusion space.
Our relationship with Xero began in 2022, when our Office and Finance Administrator reached out to their customer service team for support in making our accounting experience more accessible.
Xero demonstrated exceptional customer service, assisting us wherever they could and taking on suggestions. Recognising the potential for further collaboration, we approached Xero with an opportunity to deepen their commitment to accessibility.
Building on this collaboration, we introduced Xero to our Tertiary Internship Programme, which connects businesses with top talent from the accessibility community. Shortly afterwards, Xero hosted its first intern, Danielle – you can read about her experience here!
Being involved with our internship programme has allowed Xero to experience first-hand the benefits of fostering a pipeline of diverse talent through our Tertiary Internship Programme, and ensure that accessibility is woven into its diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Dion Westwood, People Lead at Xero, oversaw Danielle’s internship. He says Danielle enriched the team culture by bringing curiosity to her projects. Her inquisitive nature also positively challenged her team to approach problems from new angles.
Xero’s commitment to creating a sense of belonging for its staff has set them apart from other organisations in its field. The Xero team understands that this competitive edge allows them to better serve customer and innovate successfully. Being able to foster disability diversity through our internship programme has only enhanced its existing initiatives. “It’s given us confidence that we have the right people and support networks in place to give our interns the best possible experience,” says Westwood
Dion also reports it was a good reminder for the Xero team to ensure neurodiversity and disability was at the forefront of all thinking around the Junior Talent Program at Xero. He emphasises that prioritising disability-diversity does not hinder productivity or engagement; instead, with the right support, it will add enormous value to your projects and team.
It has also provided valuable insights into how Xero can continue to expand its commitment to diversity, using the diversification of its junior talent team as a blueprint for broader neurodiversity initiatives.
Xero’s experience in working with access talent has confirmed that flexibility and understanding are key to unlocking the full potential of every employee.
It has adapted its recruitment practices to foster inclusion and belonging, such as ensuring that interviewers are aware of potential barriers to participation that can exist in the onboarding process. This includes providing adjustments for new employees to set them up for success.
Continued engagement with our employment services will provide Xero with a more disability-diverse talent team, and a blueprint for engagement with the wider company – further adding to that competitive edge.
We’re thrilled about the future of our relationship with Xero. Its commitment to accessibility is further evidenced by its decision to host an additional four interns each year.
Xero’s feedback on working with the Be. Lab team has been overwhelmingly positive, and the team looks forward to continuing this fruitful collaboration. Westwood encourages other employers to "just be open and embrace the opportunity."
If you’re interested in learning how Be. Lab can support your business in creating a more accessible and welcoming workplace, read more about our employment programme here.