New standard on DEI in the workplace from BSI

New guidance on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace has been issued by the British Standards Institution (BSI). The new standard, Diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. Code of practice (PAS 1948), is designed to help organisations prioritise their people by creating an increasingly diverse and inclusive workplace culture, including by demonstrating leadership commitment or adjusting recruitment practices, said BSI. It noted that evidence suggests diverse organisations can out-perform their peers. For example, research from McKinsey has found that organisations prioritising gender or ethnic and cultural diversity stand to benefit from improved profitability. Research also indicates a desire for diverse workplaces, especially among Generation Z. Kate Field, global head of health, safety and well-being, BSI, said: “A diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace culture that prioritises people has the potential to be transformative for individuals, organisations, and society. This starts with leadership taking steps to turn ambition into action to build and sustain DEI across their organisation.” She added: “Seeing DEI as a valuable investment in people and the future of your organisation can offer huge benefits, including in attracting and retaining the very best talent and skills, which in turn has the potential to support innovation, customer insight engagement and improve performance. PAS 1948 provides the guidance to empower people to make a positive impact by building workplaces that are inclusive and welcoming to everyone.” The standard, which is free to download, is designed as a practical, one-stop shop for organisations looking to develop and implement an effective DEI framework. Areas covered include understanding and implementing concepts such as ‘diversity of thought’, ‘dimensions of diversity’, ‘intercultural competence’ and ‘cognitive diversity’. BSI explained that it also covers practical measures, including around recruitment and retention DEI, along with incorporating the principle of ‘inclusive by design’ into services, technology, and business models and processes. It also looks at how organisations can address behaviour that is inconsistent with DEI principles, as well as how to engage and support underrepresented social and cultural groups, for example via peer networks. Christina Thakor-Rankin, co-founder, All-In Diversity Project, said: “This standard is based on four fundamentals: that inclusivity is everyone’s responsibility – not just HR; that not everyone works in an office; that the Fourth Industrial Revolution is changing the way we live and work; and that the business case for inclusive workplaces having been proven, is shifting the focus from why to how. The aim from the outset has been to create a document that is accessible to anyone, and is applicable to any organisation of any type, size and sector, anywhere in the world.” She added: “The document covers the principles, but more importantly also includes practical guidance and recommendations, and a basic workplace toolkit that enables an organisation to create or develop an existing framework for workplace DEI designed to fit their specific operational needs, and at a budget and pace that works for them. This is a universal standard, that is designed to be used either as a standalone document or alongside other national and international standards.”

New standard on DEI in the workplace from BSI

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