A rich and diverse ethnicity within the workplace has many beneficial effects.
This year will mark 73 years since the SS Empire Windrush arrived at Tilbury Docks in Essex carrying the first Caribbean migrants to the UK to help rebuild Britain after the Second World War.
As the UK marks the fourth Windrush Day on June 22, it’s worth reflecting on many of the problems new arrivals faced.
Whilst the arrivals face racial discrimination in the workplace and elsewhere they did however open a pathway for Commonwealth and eventually other migrants to join the workforce over the next decades and offered new perspectives to inspire colleagues to see the workplace – and the world – through a different lens.
Developing innovation and creativity
Diversity of thought has been shown to drive creativity and inspire innovation.
Every person, regardless of ethnicity or background, should be able to fulfil their potential at work. Employers who support equal progression and participation in the workplace, across ethnicities and cultures, will grow their talent pool, address skill shortages in the process and perform better.
Cosmetics giant L’Oréal is just one example as it attributes much of its success in emerging markets to its multicultural product development teams.
What is Race discrimination?
The Equality Act 2010 protects from discrimination because of the race which includes a person’s race, colour, nationality, or ethnic or national origin
Direct discrimination: This happens when a person is treated less favourably on the grounds of their race. Their comparator in such a claim may be a specific or hypothetical individual.
Indirect discrimination: This is where a provision criterion or practice applies to all but puts one particular group at more of a disadvantage because of their race.
Harassment: This occurs when a person suffers in an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment because of a person’s race.
Victimisation: This is where someone is targeted because they have made a complaint about discrimination because of race in the workplace, have brought a claim in the Employment Tribunal or agree to assist someone in such a complaint or claim.
It’s vitally important that employers and HR departments do not tolerate discrimination in any form is not tolerated. However recognising at the same time promoting equality, diversity and inclusion can help:
Inclusion
An inclusive workplace means everyone feels valued at work. It lets all employees feel safe to come up with different ideas, and raise issues and suggestions to managers, knowing this is encouraged and attempting to do things differently, with management approval.
Diversity
Diversity covers the range of people within the workforce, whether people of different ages, gender, different religions and ethnicities and disabilities.
To avoid bullying, harassment or discrimination, businesses should make sure:
For help and advice on matters relating to employment law, contact our expert team today.
