Black lives matter: the workplace

The Black Lives Matter movement has brought ingrained racism to the foreground. In this episode, Rachel Rockson, Chair of the Acas Race Equality Network, and Julie Dennis, Head of Diversity and Inclusion at Acas, share their insights into what organisations and individuals can do to make our workplaces truly more equal, including what intersectionality is and why it matters. We look at how racism and inequality are experienced and persist, what white people need to do to be part of change, and what organisations and leaders need to do to be responsible for change. Plus: how investing and committing to equality benefits everyone.

Acas advice

Improving equality, diversity and inclusion in workplaces: www.acas.org.uk/improving-equality-diversity-and-inclusion

Discrimination, bullying and harassment: www.acas.org.uk/discrimination-bullying-and-harassment

Webinar - what to do if you think you are being discriminate against: www.gotostage.com/channel/7f6b8485dc154e0c959e32e845163caa/recording/1405751bc4684196b3fe9e08c0ad9642/watch?source=CHANNEL

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy template: www.acas.org.uk/equality-policy-template

Acas helpline: 0300 123 1100

Key UK organisations

The Equality, Advisory and Support Service offers advice for people facing discrimination: www.equalityadvisoryservice.com

Government Equalities Office: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/government-equalities-office

Equality and Human Rights Commission: www.equalityhumanrights.com

External resources

This is not an exhaustive list and we highly recommend carrying out your own research too, but we hope you find these links useful:

McKinsey evidence for the positive impact of diversity and barriers to inclusion: https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/organization/our-insights/understanding-organizational-barriers-to-a-more-inclusive-workplace

Everyday racism: what should we do? Akala (3m): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZUvjAJGFkM

3 ways to be a better ally in the workplace | Melinda Epler (9m): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k12j-E1LsUU

Deconstructing White Privilege with Dr. Robin DiAngelo (20m): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwIx3KQer54&fbclid=IwAR3NG6kOtWHfbxz21LeMYvY9wyGmWKP4c5AGQnsaMZhmlVIe2ycr-4Gyyu8

An anti-racist reading list: https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2020/jun/03/do-the-work-an-anti-racist-reading-list-layla-f-saad

Transcript

Transcript available at www.acas.org.uk/podcast

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