A new guide is asking leaders to truly lead by example on embedding workplace diversity and inclusion; the Government-sponsored organisation, Leaders As Change Agents (LACA), has launched its Employer and Employee Guide for CEOs and leadership teams to deliver better inclusion, equity and opportunity.
The free guide was produced by the Leaders As Change Agents Board with the help of over 30 unpaid volunteers and has received backing from the CBI, TechUK, British Chambers of Commerce, Deloitte, BITC, Tesco, Landsec, FRC, Norton Rose Fulbright, London Business School, TheCityUK, DACBeachroft, City of London and Aviva.
The guide offers step-by-step guidance to aid firms in their inclusion journey, including eight commitments to help cultivate a better workplace below:
- Empowerment and choice
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Growth and development|
- Commitment & engagement
- Participation in decisions
- Work life balance
- Fairness
- Recognition and reward
The Leaders As Change Agents Board is also asking business leaders to “embrace three asks” to help fast track the development of more inclusive workplaces:
- I/we share the aspiration to deliver better inclusion, fairness, opportunity and value of every UK employer and employee.
- I/we will champion the eight commitments set out in the Employer & Employee guide, together with the resource guide materials and use them to benchmark our existing policies and practices.
- I/we will champion the LACA Employer & Employee Guide within my/our wider business networks to encourage others to do the same.
The Leaders as Change Agents Co-Chairs Emer Timmons and Denis Woulfe have written to the Chairs and CEOs of 500 of the UK’s leading businesses to ask them for their support: “Change and innovation in the workplace will only happen if business leaders demonstrate an ongoing commitment to delivering it. This is reliant on increasing awareness and supporting the case for change to win the buy-in of the whole workforce. Directives and policy alone will not work,” said Emer Timmons OBE.
“We believe that the Employer & Employee guide sets out a vision where all employees are treated fairly, no matter the type of work or location and will help business leaders to deliver the necessary changes to fully embrace fairness and inclusivity at work. This guide shares practical ideas and insights with the potential to make a real difference to employers who wish to attract and retain talent in an increasingly competitive environment,” added Denis Woulfe, MBE.
To download the free guide, click here.
