Study finds “gross business failings” in addressing workplace racial disparity

A new report released today has identified the “gross failings” of businesses to collectively address and act upon racial disparity in the workplace.

The report, entitled The Middle: Progressing Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Talent in the Workplace Through Collaborative Action, urges leaders to urgently address racism and advance ethnic minority professionals at work. Published by the Black British Business Awards (BBBAwards) in partnership with JP Morgan, the report calls on senior leaders to take against the practices and bad actors that produce disproportionate outcomes for ethnic minority professionals.

Since last summer, organisations have been grappling with how to efficiently respond to the renewed call for racial and ethnic equality and inclusion. The Middle report aims to guide and support organisations as they plan their next steps towards achieving race and ethnic equality.

PLEDGING NOT ENOUGH

“We have seen many charters and pledges signed and publicised over the last year, but pledging is no longer enough. As we begin this new year, senior leaders will need to surgically diagnose their HR data to identify practices and bad actors that produce differentiated outcomes for ethnic minority professionals when it comes to high profile work allocation, mobility opportunities, talent ranking, compensation and promotion,” stated Sophie Chandauka, Global COO of Shared Services and Banking Operations at Morgan Stanley and Co-founder of the BBBAwards. “The Middle provides strategic recommendations for cultural and organisational change. There is no quick fix; organisations must commit to the journey in order to provide assurance to shareholders and other stakeholders that deep work is being done to drive meaningful change urgently.”

The report analysed qualitative insights gathered from four key D&I stakeholders. They include HR Directors, Network Leads, Diversity and Inclusion Practitioners and Executive Sponsors. The research found that these stakeholders are the key catalysts for organisational change. Yet businesses are failing to collectively leverage these roles and address the pervasive barriers that each face. In addition, the report highlights the perception disparity between Executive Sponsors and their people experts; with senior management often having a much more positive view of how the company is addressing race than the people doing the work on the ground.

ADDRESSING RACIAL INEQUALITY AT WORK

“As we enter into the New Year, we are calling on company Chairs, CEOs and HR Directors to identify practices that must be stopped to avoid exacerbating issues; and reinforcing barriers for minority ethnic talent progression,” commented Melanie Eusebe, Co-founder of the BBBAwards. “There is no better time to begin speaking openly about race, which is the first step towards addressing the problem.”

The report provides actionable frameworks for businesses, specifically tailored to addressing the challenges of the UK market. It also offers five key guidelines for leaders that are serious about tackling the lack of diversity. They include:

1. Leaders at the top must set the tone with targets linked to key performance indicators.

2. People managers must act responsibly and take accountability.

3. There should be alignment and stronger partnership inside organisations.

4. Map the journey.

5. Normalise discussions about race and establish a shared vocabulary.

UK MARKET-SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS

Both BBBAwards and JP Morgan hope this report helps company Chairs, CEOs and DE&I/HR Directors to identify the practices that must be stopped to avoid exacerbating the issues; and curb reinforcement of barriers for minority ethnic talent progression. They also hope leaders take note of the recommendations to accelerate minority ethnic talent. 

“Innovative thinking is just what is needed at this time to move forward,” concluded Tia A Counts, Global CIB and EMEA Head of Advancing Black Leaders of JP Morgan. “The Middle is a great example of this. Intelligent and specific, its methodology applies a local lens, addressing the specific challenges of the UK market.”

Click here to download a copy of the second edition of the Middle report.

BBBAwards’ Melanie Eusebe has smashed through steel ceilings both in the entrepreneurial and corporate world. Click here to read about the challenges she faced on her rise to the top as a Black woman of Caribbean heritage; and why allyship and sponsorship have been key to her success.