Advice and Opinion - May 2025
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Posted on Friday, May 16, 2025 by Elaine Johnson — No comments
Creating an inclusive workplace isn’t just the responsibility of HR or leadership. Every employee has the power to drive change—from calling out bias to supporting a colleague’s voice in a meeting. Inclusion is not a policy; it’s a practice. And it’s something we build together. Whether you're a junior team member or a senior executive, you can be an advocate for equity, dignity, and respect in ...
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Posted on Friday, May 16, 2025 by Kim Cockayne — No comments
Employee Resource Groups—often referred to as ERGs—are more than community-building spaces. When well-supported, they can be powerful tools for career development, leadership experience, and organisational change. But for many employees, their value remains underused or misunderstood. At their best, ERGs support inclusion and advancement by creating space for underrepresented voices to connect, ...
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Posted on Wednesday, May 14, 2025 by Ian Thomas — No comments
Staff networks are fast becoming one of the most powerful tools for shaping inclusive, engaged, and forward-thinking workplaces. Yet many organisations still don’t have them—or don’t know where to begin. If you’re wondering why staff networks matter, how to set one up, or what support is available, this guide is for you. It doesn’t just answer the "why"—it gives you the "how" and points you ...
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Posted on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 by Ian Thomas — No comments
Let’s be honest: inclusion doesn’t happen because it’s written in a policy. It happens because people make it happen. People who speak up. People who show up. People who keep pushing, even when they’re tired. That’s what staff networks do every single day. Tomorrow is the National Day for Staff Networks— 14 May 2025 —we’re not just celebrating their existence. We’re spotlighting their power. ...
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Posted on Monday, May 12, 2025 by Marcia Adams — No comments
Religion and belief are often overlooked in workplace diversity strategies. Yet faith is a central part of life for millions of people in the UK. Whether it influences daily routines, ethical decisions, or how individuals engage with colleagues, religion can be a powerful source of identity, comfort, and community. When organisations fail to support religious inclusion, it sends a message that ...
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Posted on Monday, May 12, 2025 by Ian Thomas — No comments
In the early 2020s, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) became a corporate priority. Statements were made, roles were created, and organisations across the UK pledged to be more inclusive. But a few years on, many employers are experiencing a shift: what was once momentum has become fatigue. Staff may feel overwhelmed by constant messaging. Some leaders worry about saying the wrong thing. ...
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Posted on Monday, May 12, 2025 by Kim Cockayne — No comments
In today’s competitive labour market, talent acquisition has become a high-stakes challenge. With vacancies at record levels across sectors like education, healthcare, construction, and tech, organisations are struggling not only to find talent—but to retain it. Against this backdrop, inclusive hiring isn’t just good practice. It’s a strategic necessity. The smartest employers are rethinking how ...
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Posted on Monday, May 12, 2025 by Ian Thomas — No comments
June is just around the corner, and for many organisations, that means one thing: Pride Month. Rainbow logos will appear overnight, LinkedIn posts will multiply, and colourful banners will hang from office windows. But for LGBTQI employees and allies, the question remains: is your celebration sincere, or simply symbolic? Done right, Pride Month is a moment of reflection, education, and ...
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Posted on Saturday, May 10, 2025 by Sarah Wilson — No comments
Remote work is no longer a trend—it’s a permanent shift. For many professionals, it has opened new doors to flexibility, autonomy, and access to employers they couldn’t reach before. But remote work also raises important questions: who truly benefits from it, and how can we make sure inclusion isn’t left behind? When designed thoughtfully, remote work can help level the playing field. It can ...
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Posted on Saturday, May 10, 2025 by Ian Thomas — No comments
Networking isn’t just about swapping business cards at conferences or racking up LinkedIn connections. It’s about building authentic, meaningful relationships that support your personal and professional growth. For people from underrepresented backgrounds, networking can also be a way to challenge exclusion, create opportunity, and foster community. In today’s workplace, who you know can make a ...