M&S gives staff pronoun badges so customers know how to address them

MARKS and Spencer has given staff pronoun badges so customers know how to address them as part of a diversity and inclusivity initiative. As part of the new initiative, the new name tags will now include the person’s name and their chosen pronouns. The staff can put He said they have already “helped start some very necessary conversations around gender … Read More

Diversity and Inclusion remains a top challenge for companies in 2021, despite 81% conducting unconscious bias training

A recent survey by Arctic Shores, which investigated the talent acquisition landscape for the year ahead, revealed that 3 in 4 companies plan to review their diversity hiring practices for 2021. These findings are surprising, considering 81% of companies already run unconscious bias training. This would suggest diminishing confidence amongst talent leaders that unconscious bias training alone is enough to … Read More

Morecambe Bay hospitals trust voted UK’s most inclusive employer

University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Trust (UHMBT) has been awarded first place in the top 50 of the UK’s most inclusive employers, being recognised as the most inclusive employer out of the 110 member companies. The list includes public and private sector organisations including Auto Trader, BUPA, UK House of Lords, E.ON, and The British Army. Lancashire Constabulary also gained fourth place on the list. Announced through a virtual event, The Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers is a dynamic resource that has identified the most inclusive companies across the nation. It is a definitive … Read More

Improving inclusion in the workplace

Inclusion in the workplace is essential for several reasons. It is critical for retaining and making the most of diversity, and it builds trust and leads to higher-performing teams. In finance, the better inclusion of people from different backgrounds has led to the development of innovative financial products and better customer service.  The virtual working environment that we find ourselves in at … Read More

UK’s workforce calls for more action on diversity and inclusion

Almost half (46%) of Britain’s workforce think their employer could do more when it comes to diversity, with 58% of employees from Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds agreeing, according to a report from UK-based tech-for-good developer, Culture Shift. Despite 79% of employees confirming that working somewhere with a diverse workforce is an important factor for their happiness at work, … Read More

Can Flexible Work Close The Disability Employment Gap?

At the beginning of January 2020, flexible working was something you still had to ask permission for. But overnight, it became a necessity for many, rather than personal preference.  Flexible work is sometimes mistaken for being a millennial trend; demanded by those wanting ultimate freedom. But since the pandemic, free will has been taken out of the equation. But for … Read More

New research reveals strategies for global disability inclusion

90 per cent of businesses are recognising the importance of disabled employees and customers A new study of 120 global brands shows how over 90 per cent of businesses are recognising the importance of disabled employees and customers. The study is the first to consider how businesses are serving the needs of disabled people at a global and local level … Read More

How to hire staff more fairly and recognise diversity

Recognising our biases and presumptions is only the start of achieving the fairer, more inclusive, recruitment processes our businesses need and demand. Chris Platts offers a practical guide on how to establish a level playing field when selecting candidates. Over the past few years, employers have increased their focus on improving diversity and inclusion. However, change has been slow. A … Read More