February 6th marks the start of Race Equality Week. The theme for Race Equality Week 2023 is #ItsEveryonesBusiness. This theme was chosen as 79% of respondents believe it would have a meaningful impact on tackling race inequality.
Race Equality Week is an annual UK-wide movement uniting thousands of organisations and individuals to address the barriers to race equality in the workplace. The events of 2020, including the Black Lives Matter movement and the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on ethnic minority communities, has heightened public consciousness of race inequality
Since the flurry of pledges many organisations were making back in 2020 to become more inclusive, which for many included black squares, signing charters and race action plans, progress in addressing racial inequality is proving to be a challenge.
Race Equality Matters’ survey highlighted that the majority of respondents felt very little had changed in the last 12 months. Whilst some organisations are now taking a nudge approach, which is starting to impact change. Many have struggled to know where to start.
Thanks to Sy Joshua at Race Equality First for these actions to ensure you are on top of your game when it comes to Race Equality in the Workplace:
1. Book your team onto Anti-racism training
It’s not enough to be ‘not racist’, what is your team doing to be Anti-racist? Are you taking active steps to remove racial barriers and obstacles from the workplace.
2. Review your diversity & inclusion policy
Too many Diversity and Inclusion policies are a ‘copy & paste’ job. Does your policy contain your organisation’s DNA around EDI? If not, a full review may be overdue!
3. Encourage employee-led initiatives promoting racial equality
Empowering employees towards coproduction and including ‘lived experience,’ is a must in ‘moving the dial’ towards more inclusive spaces.
4. Ensure inclusive initiatives are outcome focused
Don’t forget to measure the impact your initiatives are having on attitudes, behaviour and workplace culture.
I’d love to hear where you are on your journey to becoming an anti-racist workplace. Let me know in the comments…
The Equality Blog 