Business in the Community have launched the 'Everyday Inclusion' campaign, with advice and guidelines to help businesses and other organisations not only improve equality and diversity in the workplace, but also to improve the quality of inter-personal communications for the benefit of all. The article below is republished from their website:-

Together we can create workplaces where everyone feels included

The Everyday Inclusion campaign from Business in the Community (BITC) is designed to support employers in ensuring their employees feel they belong,  have a voice, are valued and are able to be their true selves. 

BITC research shows that almost half of UK employees regularly experience non-inclusive behaviours – often in the form of unintended ‘microaggressions’. This has an impact on wellbeing and wider performance and undermines employers’ efforts to foster inclusive working cultures.

Campaign foundations and objectives

• COVID-19, and the economic crisis, has or will entrench inequalities. It is likely to impact on some of those already feeling excluded. This will impact on D&I targets, eg the pay gap.

• Before the crisis hit, we had a long way to go on creating truly inclusive workplaces – BITC research found that many employees, particularly women, young workers, and black, Asian, and ethnic minority people/employees felt left out or excluded in some way – and culture and everyday experiences were crucial to this but often given insufficient attention.

• Inclusion is crucial to building back responsibly. Organisations that take an inclusive approach to their recovery will be more resilient and better able to navigate the challenges ahead.

• The anti-racist protests have prompted further discussion around inclusion – with greater awareness of the way black people can be excluded at work, and the micro aggressions they regularly face.

While the impact of COVID-19 on inclusion is still being understood, early signs are that for many, increased pressure and the move of many staff to home working could be making the situation worse.

• What does Everyday Inclusion mean in the workplace?
• Watch the BITC video to learn about people’s real experiences
• Watch the BITC video - ‘Culture, Covid and Inclusion: Launch of Everyday Inclusion Campaign’ webinar to find out more

(Business in the Community (The Prince's Responsible Business Network) was founded by HRH The Prince of Wales over 40 years ago. BITC is dedicated to encouraging responsible practices in business by  inspiring, engaging and challenging businesses and organisations create a skilled, inclusive workforce today and for the future; build thriving communities in which to live and work; and Iinnovate to repair and sustain our planet.)

(Source: Business in the Community)