How can employers combat racial abuse in the workplace?
Racism and hate crimes are radically increasing in the UK, with official figures showing reported incidents have risen by 180% since 2012.
Meanwhile, a major survey found that more than a quarter of workers with a minority ethnic background have faced racist jokes at work and 120,000 have quit their jobs because of racism.
With that in mind, it’s important that every employer takes clear measures to prevent racism from becoming a problem in their place of work and to ensure workers feel safe in their working environment.
With racism in the spotlight as hundreds of thousands of businesses come together to advocate Race Equality Week, we’re exploring how employers can break down organisational barriers to ensure a fairer, more equitable workplace.
Creating a workplace that fosters diversity, inclusion, and respect is not just a legal obligation but also a crucial step towards building a thriving and successful organisation.
Allowing racism to go unchecked in the workplace can have serious detrimental effects on the employees subjected to it, undermining their worth and impacting their productivity. Worse still, this toxicity can spread, seeping into the overall company culture to quickly create an inhospitable environment that drives down staff retention and drives away talented employees in an already difficult labour market.
Leadership should actively communicate the organisation's values related to diversity and inclusion, making it clear that discriminatory behaviour will not be tolerated. Regularly assess the workplace culture through surveys and feedback sessions to identify areas for improvement and reinforce positive changes.
Almost 20% of UK employees that have experienced racism are too afraid to report it, fearing they may face difficulties or not be taken seriously.
For this reason, employees must be made to feel comfortable reporting instances of racism without fear of retaliation. Employers should ensure issues can be flagged as they arise, so implementing confidential reporting mechanisms, such as an anonymous hotline or an online reporting tool, is a must.
Your business should make the company's commitment to diversity and inclusion apparent with comprehensive and clear policies that outline your processes and how, specifically, they safeguard your workforce. Take care to clearly communicate the existence of these channels to all staff, assuring them that their concerns will be taken seriously, investigated promptly and dealt with compassionately.
Managers play a pivotal role in shaping the workplace culture, so they must lead by example. Providing comprehensive training for managers to help them recognise signs of racism, address issues promptly, and foster an inclusive team environment will ensure that they lead from a place of experience and nuanced understanding - rather than performative box-ticking.
Emphasise the importance of creating open lines of communication within your teams and encourage managers to actively listen to employees, conducting regular check-ins, and addressing any concerns promptly. By making certain that managers understand the subtleties of workplace dynamics, you empower them to be effective advocates for an inclusive culture.
Create a robust training program that not only educates employees on the company's anti-racism policies but also fosters a deeper understanding of diversity and inclusion. Regular training sessions should be a staple in your organisation, covering topics such as unconscious bias, cultural sensitivity, and respectful communication.
Preventing racism in the workplace requires a multifaceted approach that encompasses policies, training, reporting mechanisms, managerial support, and a commitment to fostering an inclusive culture.
By taking proactive steps from the outset, employers can create an environment in which diversity is celebrated, and all employees feel valued and respected. This not only fulfils your legal obligations but also contributes to a more harmonious and productive work environment.
If you’re an employer looking to embed robust anti-racism practices in your business, get in touch with our expert team of employment law experts today.
Contact Tom to discuss this further.
