Embracing Diversity and Inclusion: Understanding the New UK Standards
In an increasingly globalized world, diversity and inclusion have become more than just buzzwords— they're essential components of successful businesses.
This week the British Standards Insitute (BSI) introduced new Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) standards, known as PAS 1948:2023. This guidance aims to guide businesses in fostering a more inclusive environment.
In this article, we’ll take a snapshot of these new standards, highlighting their importance for business leaders and offering practical advice on their implementation.
The Evolution of Diversity and Inclusion Standards
The last D&I standards were issued back in 2020, but the world of work has changed significantly since then. The new PAS 1948:2023 standards reflect these changes, with a focus on:
Flexible and remote working,
The complexity of intersectionality
the potential impact of new technologies
Embracing Flexible and Remote Working
It will be no surprise to anyone that the new guidance has an emphasis on flexible and remote working. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, this is, without doubt, one of the biggest changes to the working world.
The new standards encouraged businesses to adjust their working practices to accommodate the needs of their employees, whether that means offering flexible start and finish times, allowing remote work, or implementing job-sharing arrangements.
By doing so, businesses can attract a wider range of talent and support the wellbeing of their employees.
Cultivating Intercultural Competence
Intercultural competence—the ability to understand and adapt to different cultural perspectives—is another key component of the new standards.
In today's multicultural society, businesses must ensure that their employees can effectively navigate cultural differences. This can be achieved through diversity training programs, fostering open dialogue about cultural differences, and promoting a culture of respect and understanding.
Harnessing the Power of Diversity of Thought
Diversity of thought refers to the inclusion of different perspectives and ideas. It is widely recognised as a powerful tool for innovation.
By bringing together individuals with different backgrounds and experiences, businesses can generate new ideas and solutions. To harness the power of diversity of thought, businesses should strive to create a culture where all voices are heard and valued.
Mitigating Unconscious Bias in Technology
With the rise of machine learning and generative AI, many are justifiably concerned about technology replicating unconscious bias. The new standards attempt to address this.
They urge businesses to implement checks and balances in their AI development processes to prevent the perpetuation of bias. This could involve regular audits of AI systems, diversity in AI development teams, and transparency in AI decision-making processes.
Attracting a Diverse Range of Applicants
Finally, the standards provide guidance on how to attract a diverse range of applicants.
This includes using inclusive language in job advertisements, advertising roles in a variety of locations, and including a statement of commitment to diversity and inclusion.
By doing so, businesses can ensure that they are attracting the widest possible pool of talent.
Final Thoughts
The new PAS 1948:2023 standards represent a significant step forward in the UK's approach to diversity and inclusion. By understanding and implementing these standards, business owners, HR professionals, and recruiters can create a more inclusive and successful business. The journey towards diversity and inclusion is ongoing, but with these new standards, businesses have a clear roadmap to follow.
We encourage all businesses to review the full PAS 1948:2023 document and consider how they can apply these standards in their organizations.
By embracing diversity and inclusion, businesses can not only create a more inclusive environment but also drive innovation, attract a wider range of talent, and ultimately, achieve greater success.
Remember, diversity and inclusion are not just about ticking boxes or meeting quotas. They're about creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and able to contribute their unique perspectives and ideas. It's about recognizing the value of different experiences, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, and leveraging these differences to drive innovation and success.