The New Prime Minister Stands On a Glass Cliff
Rishi Sunak’s appointment as Prime Minister marks a historic moment for racial equality as he becomes the first British Asian and Hindu to hold the office. However, this milestone doesn’t negate the existence of racism, as evidenced by a radio show caller’s objection to an ethnic minority PM and ongoing workplace inequality. Sunak’s success is critical to countering latent racism and xenophobia, while addressing urgent economic issues facing the country.
The Disability Employment Gap
In 2020, the employment rate for people with disabilities was significantly lower than for those without (53.7% vs. 82.0%), with a notable pay gap where disabled workers earned £2.10 less per hour on average. Stable employment is crucial for reducing poverty and improving health, but disabled individuals often face part-time, low-paid, and insecure jobs due to discrimination and inadequate adjustments. Employers must address these gaps to ensure equitable opportunities for all, guided by the principles of the Equality Act 2010 and frameworks like FREDIE.
50 Years of Pride – An Interview with Out Together – Friends of Dorothy
2022 marks 50 years of Pride in the UK, celebrating significant progress since the first march in 1972. Matthew Jameson from Out Together – Friends of Dorothy discusses the organisation’s efforts to support the older LGBTQ+ community, the importance of inclusive spaces, and how Pride has evolved to include allies and diverse celebrations while recognising ongoing challenges.
Guest Post: VINCI Construction
At the 2022 FREDIE Awards, Lenka Vošvrdová from VINCI Construction reflected on the company’s decade-long journey to becoming a top inclusive workplace. VINCI’s success in fostering Fairness, Respect, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion, and Engagement (FREDIE) was highlighted through gradual improvements, listening to employee feedback, and support from the National Centre for Diversity.
Celebrating LGBTQ+ History Month
During LGBTQ+ History Month, we asked our colleague Andrew Bailey to share his experience working at NCFD as a gay man. Andrew highlights the importance of working in an environment where he can be his true self, valued and respected. His role allows him to contribute to meaningful changes, fostering diversity and inclusion, and underscores the significance of awareness campaigns in continuing the dialogue around LGBT+ issues.
FREDIE Spotlight: ScotRail Alliance
Achieving excellence in Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) involves creating a workplace where everyone feels they belong and can thrive. ScotRail’s journey demonstrates this through clear leadership commitment, comprehensive strategy, and an inclusive culture. Success requires transparent communication, measurable goals, and active engagement from all employees.
In a challenging year, gladiators of equality, diversity, and inclusion shine through
The FREDIE Awards are presented by the National Centre for Diversity (NCFD) to recognise and honour organisations and individuals that exemplify excellence in promoting Fairness, Respect, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion, and Engagement (FREDIE). These awards celebrate companies across various sectors—private, public, and charity—that have demonstrated outstanding commitment to creating inclusive environments. The awards aim to benchmark best practices and inspire others to advance equality and inclusivity in the workplace. At the 2021 ceremony VINCI UK claimed the top spot, while Zoe Shackleton of Huddersfield Town AFC and Karen Wallace of ScotRail were recognised for their contributions to promoting inclusive practices.
Leadership in uncertain times…
Effective leadership during the Covid-19 crisis is crucial, as your actions now will have lasting impacts. It’s essential to communicate with clarity, empathy, and authenticity, while being mindful of how stress affects your team. Embrace silence, focus on fairness, and ensure your words and actions align to build trust. Your leadership will be remembered long after the crisis, so prioritise connection and maintain the values of FREDIE—Fairness, Respect, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion, Engagement—in every interaction.
UK Equality in the Context of Brexit
You may be alarmed at the dangers that Brexit seems to be throwing up. The human brain craves safety, security and certainty. I expect that you are worried about the socio-economic implications of Brexit. In my lifetime, I have never known the country to be so deeply divided, and uncertainty so great. So what does […]