International Women’s Day: How employers can Inspire Inclusion

Inspire Inclusion emphasises the importance of diversity, equality, and inclusion in all areas of society. Employers that achieve equity, diversity, and inclusion are proven to be able to recruit, and retain motivated staff, which in turn means successful business.

Every employer can inspire inclusion by considering the following:

1. Recognise that minimum standards of equality is a legal obligation in the workplace. Over and above this, build equity, diversity and inclusion into your business’ strategic aims and company culture.
2. Include equality, diversity and inclusion in your employee policies, working practices and dealings with third parties;
3. Train all staff on equality/equity, diversity and inclusion every 12 months;
4. Do not tolerate discrimination or bias, have robust policies and training to deal with any concerns, and processes where staff can raise matters;
5. Create diversity in leadership: review your board and leadership teams to ensure you are or are on the path to gender equality;
6. Appreciate the benefits of flexible working arrangements whether in respect of hours or location, and work to achieve genuine flexibility;
7. Consider forming a staff EDI group and roll out initiatives and education to staff. Don’t forget to try to monitor the success of these initiatives, for example in employee performance, employee engagement,. employee retention, reduction in sick days, and/or returners from family leave;
8. Initiatives and education pieces could include topics such as menopause, carers
9. Work towards external accreditations or quality marks for example “where women work” in partnership with IWD

Click the link to find out more about this year’s International Women’s Day theme: Inspire Inclusion.