More employers are realising the benefits of having a diverse workforce. You can read more about the business case for diversity in the Diversity wins: How inclusion matters report by McKinsey. If you are looking to target employers who actively nurture and support this, you could research the following with prospective employers:
- Do they have diversity information on their websites that go beyond ‘we are an equal opportunities employer’?
- Have they set up Internal diversity networks for their employees?
- Do they have a Diversity/Inclusivity Champion within their recruitment teams?
There are many policies and legislative measures in place to ensure that equality and diversity is duly considered by employers during the recruitment process, and in the workplace. See the below tabs for areas that we are frequently asked about in relation to employment.
E&D Tabs
Age
- Age UK - formed when Age Concern and Help The Aged merged
- Help and support for older workers - a government website that provides guidance about employing older workers and working past 50
- EFA (Employers Forum on Age) - the EFA is an independent network of leading employers who recognise the value of an age diverse workforce. In addition to supporting employers, the EFA influences Government, business and trade unions
- TAEN - The Age and Employment Network is an independent not-for-profit organisation. Its goal is to help remove age barriers to employment
Disability
Ethnicity
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Gender
Sexual orientation
Whether or not you decide to be openly out at work is entirely up to you. However, you should always feel comfortable at work to be yourself without any negative impact on your daily life or career progression. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer/questioning, asexual and non-binary (LGBTQ+) students may be drawn to open, inclusive and innovative work environments. Although your gender/sexual identity shouldn't determine the sector you chose to work in, it may influence the organisations you target within that sector with those championing LGBTQ+ groups, and equality and diversity recruitment initiatives being more attractive.