Inclusion and a sense of tolerance and respect starts at the heart of an organisation, which is why at Active Essex we’re committed to creating a positive workplace.
Active Essex would like to play an influential, important role in championing inclusion and equality for other active partnerships, stakeholders and organisations. Outside of the workforce, Active Essex is striving to tackle racial and gender inequalities that discourage people from leading active, healthy lives. However, starting at the heart of the organisation can help set a standard for inclusive practices.
We are Inclusive is one of four key values and it is crucial that all staff and board members demonstrate inclusive behaviours and understand their role in delivering and developing certain actions.
As early adopters of the Race Equality Code, Active Essex follow the accountability framework developed by the Governance forum. One of the elements that addresses inequality is looking to Senior Leadership teams to set diverse, inclusive standards and it can be a catalyst then for the rest of the organisation.
An important first step for the organisation was creating internal ‘Stretch Groups’ that recognise everyone in the team has a collective responsibility for championing inclusion. Meeting to discuss what can be changed to improve inclusion has lead to important actions and changes within the organisation. Embedding inclusive practices into the recruitment and job advertising process has been vital to improving representation. By using positive actions in job advertising and including statements that will highlight a commitment to embedding disabled candidates, ethnically diverse candidates and LGBTQ+ candidates.
Looking to wider Equality, Diversity and Inclusion related strategies subsequently lead to the Inclusion Stretch Group creating our Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP). The DIAP ensures all our colleagues can bring their authentic self to work and feel supported in all they aim to achieve while working for our organisation.
Inclusion Passports have begun to be integrated into the staff recruitment process and these passports become a tool for staff to disclose any adjustments that need to be made. This also ensures that line managers and other team members can understand an individual’s needs that stem from positive conversations regarding personal information. Tools such as this will ensure that staff feel supported, enabling them to be and feel their best at work which is crucial to a happy workplace. A positive environment can then ensure employees feel they can champion the find your active philosophy and help residents get moving!
Promoting equality and inclusion for both our workplace and the residents we look to support is of prime importance for Active Essex and hopefully the practises embedded and future development will inspire action for other active partnerships and stakeholders.
