The Inclusive Employers Standard is a robust evidence-based inclusion accreditation run by Inclusive Employers. This process has helped us understand more about where we are in our inclusion journey and identify key areas of focus to help us develop in the future.
Ghadeer Al-Seragi, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Manager at Breast Cancer Now, says:
“We’re delighted to have achieved this accreditation. We’re here for everyone affected by breast cancer, so it’s incredibly important to us that we’re promoting equity, valuing diversity and creating an inclusive environment for everyone we work with and support. Working with Inclusive Employers has helped us to understand and celebrate what we’re already doing well, as well as identifying further opportunities for making meaningful and positive change."
To gain this accreditation we were required to provide a detailed overview of our inclusion activities in line with the six pillars of inclusion framework. This submission was then assessed against evidence-based criteria. Our action-focused feedback identified some key areas that we can further develop to enhance our culture of belonging and inclusion further. We are especially delighted with the positive comments we received about our approach to:
· Engaging our staff in our EDI work, with a focus not only on events, but also on ensuring systems, structures and processes are inclusive and free of bias.
· Making sure that inclusion is a common thread running through our strategy and plans.
· Our policies were commended for their high quality and the integration of EDI throughout, with the report saying they were “some of the best we have seen”. Inclusive Employers were really impressed with how we defined terms and set out clear behavioural expectations for everyone who works for us.
· Breast Cancer Now has also worked hard to ensure our policies are high standard and proactively shared with staff. This includes assessing inclusive language and making sure they are accessible, particularly for colleagues who are dyslexic or have English as a second language.
We are very proud of this achievement, which has energised us to continue our inclusion development and enhance the positive impact of inclusion both within our organisation and the wider industry.
Emily Pattinson, Senior Inclusive Employers Standard Programme Lead, Inclusive Employers, comments:
“We’re incredibly proud that Breast Cancer Now has shown a clear commitment to building and inclusive culture and has achieved a Silver accreditation.
“In what can feel like an overwhelming time for inclusion and diversity work, organisations like Breast Cancer Now are part of driving meaningful change. By seeking to understand their inclusion development Breast Cancer Now demonstrates to others in their sector that they are prioritising their people and creating a culture of impactful inclusion.”
Emily adds: “It is brilliant to see the range of external activities they are participating in to share knowledge and expertise in inclusion with other organisations. We were particularly impressed with their collaboration with the breast cancer volunteers group Voices.
“This is a great example of how to engage key stakeholders to bring learning back into an organisation that can improve both your service provision and your employee knowledge base. Their commitment to furthering the knowledge base around the intersection of cancer and inequality is amazing, such as their funding of scholars at the University of Exeter to investigate barriers autistic adults face in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.
“All this work demonstrates how they are actively bringing learning back into your organisation while also role modelling to their industry and beyond.”
More information about the Inclusive Employers Standard and how to get involved is available via the Inclusive Employers Website: https://www.inclusiveemployers.co.uk/inclusive-employers-standard/
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NOTES TO EDITORS
Established in May 2011, Inclusive Employers is the UK’s first and leading membership organisation for employers looking to build inclusive workplaces and make inclusion an everyday reality.
Through membership, training and consultancy, Inclusive Employers provides creative and engaging initiatives to build inclusive cultures, expertise in developing sustainable inclusion strategies, and help harness the diverse talent within organisations of all sizes to help them reap the commercial rewards of being an inclusive employer.
For more information about Inclusive Employers
please contact us on info@inclusiveemployers.co.uk
or visit our website https://www.inclusiveemployers.co.uk