Keltbray has joined over 600 employers in signing up to the Business in the Community (BITC) Race at Work Charter, an initiative designed to improve outcomes for black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) employees in the UK
Launched in partnership with the UK government in 2018, the Race at Work Charter builds on the work of the 2017 McGregor-Smith Review, which found that people from BAME backgrounds were still underemployed, underpromoted and under-represented at senior levels.
The Race at Work Charter is a public commitment to improving the experiences of black, Asian and minority ethnic employees in the workplace.
It sets out five actions for signatories:
- Appointing an executive sponsor for race;
- Capturing data and publicising progress;
- Ensuring zero tolerance of harassment and bullying;
- Making equality in the workplace the responsibility of all leaders and managers;
- Taking action that supports ethnic minority career progression.
Research carried out by the charter reveals:
- 76% of employers say that action on race recruitment and progression is a strategic priority but only 46% have set targets to improve the racial diversity of their boards;
- 99% of employers have a clear zero-tolerance policy on racial harassment and bullying but only 38% of employers have commissioned a review into bullying and harassment in the workplace – down from 45% in 2019.
Workforce can thrive regardless of ethnicity or background
Sandra Kerr CBE, race equality director at Business in the Community, said: “We would like to thank Keltbray for setting out their commitment to being an inclusive and responsible employer. By signing up to the charter, they are showing that they aspire to have one of the most inclusive workplaces in the country.
“Together we can break down barriers in the workplace, raise the aspirations and achievements of talented individuals and deliver an enormous boost to the long-term economic position of the UK.”
Darren James, chief executive officer at Keltbray, added: “Signing up to the Race at Work charter is an important step in our inclusion journey, and we’re pleased to be setting out our commitment to becoming a more inclusive employer.
“As a business, our people are our top priority and we’re committed to fostering an environment where our workforce can thrive regardless of ethnicity or background.
“We’re looking forward to working with Business in the Community to drive this agenda forward and ensure that Keltbray sees progress that creates a real, lasting impact on our organisation and the industry.”
