Race Inclusion and Business Investment in the Community

• Race Equality
• Healthy_Communities
• Diversity and Inclusion

This toolkit, Race Inclusion and Business Investment in the Community includes guidance on building external relationships through community investment. This action supports the strengthening of relationships with Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) workforce members.

Community engagement and why it is necessary

The importance of employers engaging with and supporting their (BAME) communities has never been greater given the current UK climate. COVID-19 is disproportionately affecting BAME workers and black people are also being heavily impacted by the Black Lives Matter (BLM), movement.

Standing together

The social impact of these two issues is that both black people and white people are standing as allies participating in peaceful protests within their local communities. 

The principles of community investment

Download the toolkit, Race Inclusion and Business Investment in the Community to find out more about how your organisation can develop community relationships following these five principles.

• identify social issues
• Identify stakeholders and objectives
• plan and manage investment
• inspire and engage your employees
• measure and evaluate your investment.

Consider partnering with schools

Education and skills are a critical component of any workforce. Consider partnering with local schools, particularly in areas where there are BAME children from BAME backgrounds. This will enable children to benefit from increased educational attainment.

Race at Work Charter

Business in the Community (BITC) encourages all organisations to pledge to sign the Race at Work Charter as a way of demonstrating their commitment to workplace racial equality. Organisations signing the charter commit to:

1. Appoint an executive sponsor for race.
2. Capture ethnicity data and publicise progress.
3. Commit at board level to zero tolerance of harassment and bullying.
4. Make clear that supporting equality in the workplace is the responsibility of all leaders and managers.
5. Take action that supports ethnic minority career progression.
6. Support inclusion allies in the workplace.
7. Include Black, Asian, Mixed Race and other ethnically diverse-led enterprise owners in supply chains.
   

Visit the BITC race campaign page to learn about the three calls to action marking 25 years of campaigning for race equality in the UK. These are three actions BITC believes every employer must prioritise to amplify their commitment to improving equality of opportunity in the workplace.

Learn more

Business in the Community is creating a skilled and inclusive workforce for today and tomorrow.