Lack of transparency and accountability hindering progress on race equality in the workplace
Business in the Community (BITC), The Prince’s Responsible Business Network, has today published a report on the issues hindering UK businesses from achieving race equality in the workplace. The analysis, which was taken from the 2015, 2018 and 2021 Race at Work surveys and examined over 40,000 comments from respondents, found that Black, Asian, Mixed Race and other ethnically diverse employees are exposed to recruitment bias, limited promotion and racial abuse in UK workplaces.
The report found that Black, Asian, Mixed Race and other ethnically diverse employees face unfairness and favouritism in interpersonal relationships, due to workplace politics compared to their white counterparts. The research also found that career progression within organisations can be hindered by where a person is located, biased decisions, and discrimination.
In addition, many respondents felt that recruitment and selection processes are often unfair, and communication around promotion opportunities is often unclear.
The findings have clear implications for employers, especially with Census data showing that there is an increase in the number of working-age adults from Black, Asian, Mixed Race and other ethnically diverse backgrounds. Therefore, the report calls on employers to:
- Increase transparency in hiring and advancement by monitoring each stage of the recruitment and selection process.
- Embed EDI principles into organisational systems and review employee survey data to monitor the impact of changes introduced, holding all levels accountable.
- Promote diverse representation in senior management by making diverse representation in senior management a priority to promote inclusive decision-making. Build a culture that promotes constructive feedback and encourages allyship.
Sandra Kerr CBE, Race Director, Business of the Community, said:
“While some great work has been done on achieving greater workplace equality for Black, Asian, Mixed Race and other ethnically diverse employees, this report highlights that we still have a long way to go. Employers hold the power to drive the change needed to break down barriers that many employees from ethnically diverse backgrounds face throughout their careers. Clear transparency around where a business is on the journey to achieving equality, alongside leaders having clear accountability for the success of diversity action plans, will help build trust with employees and build a workforce where every employee has the opportunity to reach their full potential.”
Quotes from the Race at Work surveys
“I don’t have confidence in [the] internal recruitment process, managers get away by interviewing personal friends and offering [them] positions, when the most suitable candidate is overlooked.” [Pakistani, Male]
“Line managers picked on everything I did; used threatening words all the time; overlooked me for promotional opportunities and the list is endless. Reported it to senior managers but was ignored and they all ganged up on me.” [Black African, Female]
“A colleague who is white responding to a conversation I was having about Black Lives Matter and said all lives matter. This same colleague responding to a conversation said all Polish people are horrible.” [Non-British White Background, Female]
ENDS
Notes to editor
For further information, please contact Aoife Butler Nolan, Head of Media, Public Affairs and Policy on 07702 903 216.