Not enough Greater Manchester businesses are taking diversity and inclusion in the workplace seriously.
According to a new report, businesses are confused about the impact of diversity and inclusion on their bottom line and competitiveness, at a time when the race for equality is gaining momentum across the region.
The research from pro-manchester, which has been produced in association with national audit, tax, advisory and risk firm Crowe 海角视频 and Connections Recruitment, found a city in need of support to fully grasp the importance of this agenda.
“Businesses need help in tackling this and some general guidelines on how to do it,” said Sam Booth, chief executive at pro-manchester.
“We want to tackle this in our businesses, and I think it’s down to education, and helping companies know where to start.
“Equality, diversity and inclusion has almost been overlooked for so long but is really coming to the fore.
“As a female leader, I want to champion the cause, raise some awareness and look at some real practical things that can help businesses to move forward in this area.”
The importance of equality, diversity and inclusion in Greater Manchester workplaces report and research will be launched at a lunchtime event on 25 February.
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While most people in the survey believed their workplace had taken action to address inequality or a lack of diversity, a significant 44 per cent of people were unsure if it had or reported that no action had been taken.
But even for those workplaces that had begun to address this agenda, 45 per cent said their workplace hasn’t changed or are unsure if it had become more diverse.
The same proportion of people reported being unsure if measures to improve diversity have had an impact on productivity and performance.
Said Booth: “I’m the first female chief executive of pro-manchester and working in a very male dominated environment from the outset, I think it’s important to look at how we can equalise that balance.
“It’s not just on the gender side, it’s about getting people to push themselves forward and remove judgment. From a business and productivity perspective, it’s important that we look at these issues and what is stopping businesses from addressing them.”
Matt Fox-Rees, formerly at Connections Recruitment, added: “Having worked within the professional services arena for nearly 20 years, my awareness of the unconscious bias that exists in so many businesses, has become far greater.
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“Diversity and inclusion is now one of the most important factors for people when considering their employer, and although progress is being made, there is still much to do.”
Speakers at the event will include Ian Hopkins, chief constable of Greater Manchester Police, Erica Ingham, chief financial officer at MediaCom North and Mark Fletcher, chief executive at Manchester Pride.