A day in the life of an I&D specialist
A day in the life of Paul Deemer, Head of Diversity and Inclusion at NHS Employers
Creating an environment where difference is embraced and individuals flourish
Inclusion and diversity is about creating inclusive environments and practices where employees can be themselves, are valued for their differences, and be supported to work at their best.
We define inclusion as welcoming all people, regardless of their personal, physical or social characteristics. It’s about creating a sense of belonging where everyone is valued, respected for their own unique identity. Diversity is about recognising that each person is unique, and understanding their differences. Harnessing these differences creates a productive environment in which everybody feels valued, their talents are fully utilised, and organisational and personal goals are met.
Done brilliantly, inclusion and diversity goes beyond the basic legislative and compliance requirements; it's about creating an environment where difference is embraced and individuals can flourish.
Inclusion and diversity (or I&D) specialists are key influencers in the organisation, often working with senior leaders to gain their commitment to initiatives which create long-term value for organisations. When delivered in an integrated way, inclusion and diversity creates value to both organisations and wider society. Being able to evidence this value is key to gaining buy-in from stakeholders.
At high speed rail network HS2, Mark Lomas is making inclusion integral to every single part of the business model – and he hopes initiatives such as blind recruitment and reverse mentoring will kickstart a revolution.
Here are some of the activities you can expect to be involved in as a inclusion and diversity specialist:
A day in the life of Paul Deemer, Head of Diversity and Inclusion at NHS Employers
A day in the life of Michelle Mendelsson, Head of Diversity and Inclusion EMEA at Credit Suisse International
Here is a shortlist of the types of job titles you might find in inclusion and diversity. As you can see, inclusion and diversity specialists are at all levels of experience and seniority:
Each inclusion and diversity standard progresses through four levels of impact. Which level do you most embody in your day-to-day work?
Learn how to promote equal opportunities and manage inclusion and diversity in the workplace by exploring our Knowledge hub resources.
Explore the twelve career areas within the people profession, and the typical activities you may find yourself doing
Information and guidance to help you excel in your role, transition into the profession, and manage a career break