National Inclusion Week 2022
For National Inclusion Week, 2022, we asked D&I Leaders to share their thoughts on what good workplace inclusion looks like. This is what they told us.
Sheri Hughes, PageGroup
PageGroup employs over 8,000 people in 37 different countries. The company’s four core PageGroup brands are made up of specialised recruitment teams operating across 25 disciplines. Sheri Hughes is UK & MEA DE&I Director for PageGroup, a ClearTalents customer. Sheri said:
A good inclusive workplace is built on two key things. Firstly, a psychologically safe culture and secondly, where difference thrives. Providing a platform such as ClearTalents means we can support all individuals precisely so they can perform at their best.
- Find out more about ClearTalents in Recruitment
Robin Christopherson (MBE) Digital Inclusion Advocate
Robin is head of Digital Inclusion for pan-disability charity AbilityNet. He advocates for inclusive design in the form of public speaking and government and client policy strategy. Robin also hosts the long-running daily Alexa 5min demo podcast ‘Dot to Dot’. He was awarded an MBE in 2017 for ‘Services to digital inclusion’. Robin said:
Adjusting a working environment for those with more diverse needs makes that workplace more welcoming and accommodating for every employee. Realising flexible policies and practices that recognise and embrace diversity in the workplace is what ClearTalents is all about.
He added:
It has never been more important for employers to be inclusive. As a new hybrid way of working – and engaging emerges, we need to think about how we include those working or joining events remotely, their access needs and requirements and those who are ‘in the room’ – and we also need to consider how those 2 groups interact with one another so that no-one gets left behind. The knowledge and technology are all there to make hybrid working more inclusive, but you must want to do it. Inclusion starts with intent, and there is no better time to start than now!
- For more workplace tips, follow ClearTalents on LinkedIn
Meryl K. Evans, Disability Advocate and speaker
Meryl K. Evans is a professional speaker and trainer, and digital marketing pro. She is the author of Brilliant Outlook Pocketbook and the co-author of Adapting to Web Standards: CSS and Ajax for Big Sites.
Meryl is hearing-free and a disability rights advocate. Meryl said:
What makes a good inclusive workplace is that employees have all the tools to thrive in their careers. Diversity is bringing in people. But it doesn’t mean they have the tools and support to thrive. True inclusion does.
- ClearTalents identifies Reasonable Adjustments for employees, so they have the tools they need
Kush Kanodia, Social Entrepreneur
Kush Kanodia is a social entrepreneur creating systemic change to increase inclusion. He works with organisations ranging from NHS trusts to Parliament to FIFA – focusing on the intersections between disability, technology, sports, health and entrepreneurship. Kush has won multiple awards and features on the Shaw Trust Disability Power 100. Kush said:
I am both a disabled person and an ethnic minority. Intersectionality describes how multiple protected characteristics compound discrimination & inequality. Awareness of these dynamics are essential for developing empowerment strategies and building inclusive and equitable workplaces.
Catherine Grinyer, Managing Director of Attendable
Catherine runs Attendable, which helps organisations engage with diverse audiences by creating and delivering inclusive events.
Catherine said:
If you want to be more inclusive as an employer, you have to understand the different barriers that exist in the workplace or online for different groups. Once you’ve got a clear picture of where the barriers are, you can work towards removing them and ensuring that no one is unintentionally excluded.
- Find out more about making hybrid working fit for all
