Business Response Forum: Personal beliefs at work

This is an online event taking place on Microsoft Teams

Date: Thursday 21st May

Time: 10:00 – 11:00 AM

Audience: Open to Business in the Community (BITC) Member organisations, HR, EDI, Wellbeing Managers, Inclusion Practitioners, Wellbeing Practitioners, People and Culture Managers and Leads

What to expect from the forum

During the session, participants will:

· Hear a short framing by Gareth Buchanan, Inclusion and Wellbeing Adviser at BITC on the current landscape and risks

· Participate in breakout group discussion facilitated by Inclusion and Wellbeing Advisers to enable peer learning and honest sharing

· Report back key themes, challenges and ideas to the full group

· Contribute anonymously to shaping BITC’s next steps for member guidance and support

This is a unique opportunity to test ideas, learn from peers, and galvanise collective momentum for inclusive, rights-respecting responses. Participants are invited to the session with their honest, respectful, and constructive contributions.

How to join/register

· This event is free of charge for BITC members

· Registrations are limited (e.g. two places per organisation) to maintain intimacy and trust

· For questions or to be added to the waiting list, please contact: events@bitc.org.uk

· Full joining instructions will be sent before the session to confirmed registrants

Our commitment

BITC stands firmly against racism, xenophobia, and discrimination of any form. We are committed to providing support, resources, and a listening ear to our members in challenging times. The insights from this forum will directly inform our advisory services, toolkits, and future member programming.

We encourage member organisations to attend and participate: your voice and experience matter.

About the Event

Across many workplaces, conversations about identity, values, and personal beliefs are becoming more visible—and at times more contested. Leaders and HR professionals are increasingly asked to balance freedom of belief and expression, protection from discrimination and harassment, and the need for respectful, inclusive workplace cultures.

This session is designed for members to come together to:

· Share lived experiences, emerging concerns and organisational dilemmas grounded in the current environment

· Reflect on how these dynamics are affecting employee wellbeing, sense of belonging, community relations, and external stakeholder expectations

· Explore how businesses can respond with a values-led approach in a proactive and compassionate way

· Inform BITC’s ongoing guidance and support for members navigating this turbulent landscape

To ensure open and candid conversation, the discussion will not be recorded and will be conducted under the Chatham House Rule.

Why this matters

BITC’s inclusion work emphasises psychological safety, belonging, and respectful dialogue as core foundations of responsible business. Supporting employers to navigate complexity—rather than avoid it—is central to creating cultures where difference can exist without harm. Join to explore how organisations navigate differing personal beliefs while maintaining inclusion, dignity and psychological safety.