Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are no longer optional in the workplace; they’re essential to business success. For UK employers looking to attract top talent from diverse backgrounds, achieving a recognised diversity accreditation is increasingly vital.
In the UK, a recent survey revealed that 76% of Asian and Black employees felt welcome when starting a new role. However, this figure was 85% for their white counterparts, highlighting ongoing challenges in workplace inclusivity. Furthermore, only 59% of these employees feel confident speaking up without fear of repercussions.
These disparities show that businesses still have significant strides to make to ensure every employee feels valued and supported.
And that’s why we’re here.
This guide is intended to provide employers with a comprehensive overview of key diversity accreditation schemes in the UK. It will help your organisation understand their benefits, requirements, and how these schemes can enhance workplace inclusion.
Understanding DE&I
First things first, let’s clarify exactly what we mean by ED&I (also referred to as EDI, DEI, and other variations of the same). DE&I stands for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
- Diversity reflects the unique traits each employee brings to the table, including their ethnicity, gender, disability status, and more.
- Equity ensures fair access and opportunities.
- Inclusion is all about creating an environment where everyone feels valued and respected.
The Equality Act 2010 protects against discrimination, requiring employers to ensure equal treatment based on protected characteristics such as age, race, and sexual orientation.
➡️ Bonus reading: Legislation About Equality And Diversity You Should Know
For UK employers, having a robust DE&I framework in place enhances innovation, improves decision-making, and positions businesses as employers of choice in a diverse labour market.
➡️ Check it out! Equality, Diversity, And Inclusion Policy Template
Key Diversity Accreditation Organisations for UK Employers
Several organisations across the UK offer accreditation and guidance to help employers benchmark and improve their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) practices.
Here’s an overview of the UK’s leading diversity accreditation options.
Stonewall Workplace Equality Index
The Stonewall Workplace Equality Index is a respected benchmark for LGBTQ+ workplace inclusivity. Designed to help organisations create welcoming environments for LGBTQ+ employees, this accreditation offers a comprehensive assessment of policies, practices, and employee experiences.
What it offers:
- Annual ranking of the top employers for LGBTQ+ equality.
- Detailed evaluations of workplace policies and inclusion initiatives.
- Practical insights for creating a culture of respect and support for LGBTQ+ employees.
Employers participating in the index gain recognition for their efforts and access to a framework for continual improvement in LGBTQ+ inclusivity.
➡️ Visit the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index website.
Business Disability Forum (BDF)
The Business Disability Forum supports organisations in creating workplaces that are accessible and inclusive for disabled employees. The forum offers Disability Smart certification, recognising best practices in disability inclusion.
The key benefits include:
- Guidance on improving workplace accessibility.
- Assistance with embedding disability inclusion into organisational policies.
- Assessment tools to evaluate current practices and identify areas for growth.
BDF’s certification acknowledges employers who go above and beyond in supporting disabled employees and demonstrates leadership in disability inclusion.
➡️ Visit the Business Disability Forum website.
Disability Confident Scheme
Run by the Department for Work and Pensions, the Disability Confident Scheme helps employers recruit and retain disabled workers while building more inclusive workplace cultures.
There are three certification levels:
- Disability Confident Committed (Level 1): A pledge to improve accessibility and inclusion.
- Disability Confident Employer (Level 2): Recognition for implementing inclusive practices.
- Disability Confident Leader (Level 3): Demonstrates leadership and active promotion of disability inclusion.
Our sister site, Careers with Disabilities, covers everything employers need to know about signing up for the Disability Confident Scheme. For instance, employers gain access to a wealth of practical tools designed to support disabled employees. They also receive guidance on recruitment strategies to attract diverse talent whilst gaining public recognition as an inclusive employer.
By progressing through the levels, employers build stronger workplace cultures and demonstrate their commitment to equal opportunities for disabled people.
➡️ Visit the Disability Confident website.
Race Equality Matters
Race Equality Matters focuses on improving racial representation and building equity in workplaces. Through its certification programmes, it supports employers in taking measurable actions to improve outcomes for employees from diverse racial backgrounds.
Race Equality Matters provides:
- The Race Equality Standard, a structured framework for achieving racial inclusivity.
- Guidance on implementing tangible changes that enhance representation and equity.
- Tools for tracking progress and embedding racial diversity into workplace practices.
Employers participating in this programme can demonstrate their commitment to addressing racial disparities and improving inclusion.
➡️ Visit the Race Equality Matters website.
The Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality
This prestigious annual recognition highlights organisations that excel in promoting gender equality. It focuses on equitable treatment and opportunities for women in the workplace.
The areas of assessment include:
- Pay equity and transparency.
- Policies that support women’s career progression.
- Practices that promote work-life balance and gender equality.
Being included in this list positions employers as leaders in workplace gender equality, attracting talent and building a reputation for fairness.
➡️ Visit The Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality 2023 edition.
UK National Equality Standard (NES)
Developed by Ernst & Young in 2013, the National Equality Standard (NES) provides a rigorous and comprehensive framework for assessing diversity and inclusion across multiple dimensions.
Its features include
- Covering all protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.
- A detailed and structured assessment process to benchmark organisations.
- Providing actionable recommendations for improvement.
Achieving NES certification signals a strong commitment to DE&I and positions organisations as exemplars of equality in the UK.
➡️ Visit the National Equality Standard website.
Clear Company
Clear Company specialises in benchmarking diversity and inclusion efforts through their ‘Clear Assured’ diversity accreditation. Their analytics-driven approach helps organisations identify gaps and track improvements in what they call ‘The Global Inclusion Standard’
Key features of the Clear Assured DE&I web application include:
- Detailed assessments of diversity metrics, such as hiring trends and pay equity.
- Customised reports offering actionable insights.
- Guidance on aligning DE&I goals with broader business objectives.
Organisations partnering with Clear Company gain valuable insights for achieving measurable and sustainable improvements in inclusivity.
➡️ Visit the Clear Company website.
Aspiring to Include
While not a diversity accreditation provider, Aspiring to Include plays a crucial role in workplace inclusion by bridging the gap between underrepresented jobseekers and forward-thinking employers.
As a dedicated platform for promoting equal opportunities across the UK, Aspiring to Include helps organisations attract talent from diverse backgrounds by highlighting their commitment to inclusivity.
Employers partnering with Aspiring to Include gain access to a vast network of jobseekers who prioritise diversity, equity, and inclusion in their career choices. They do this by posting their job vacancies on the platform’s inclusive jobs board.
The platform provides tools and resources to help companies showcase their inclusive policies and practices, making them more appealing to candidates from underrepresented groups.
Some of its most popular guides on DE&I include:
- 8 Diversity And Inclusion Activities For The Workplace
- Three Common Barriers To Equality, Diversity, & Inclusion
- How To Move From Diversity To Inclusion
For businesses aiming to enhance their reputation as champions of workplace equality, collaborating with Aspiring to Include is an excellent step towards building a more inclusive workforce.
Contact Aspiring to Include on 0345 872 4501 or email info@aspiringtoinclude.com for more information.
