Page 15 - Anti-Racism Pocketbook for Schools and Academies

The Need for Ethnically Diverse Leaders in the Workplace

While many organisations are working to build more inclusive
and tolerant workplaces, there is still more work to be done due

to the lack of ethnically diverse leaders in the workplace. With a

lack of opportunities, the absence of role models, and

discrimination, it can be difficult for ethnically diverse individuals

to gain management positions within organisations. In 2020,
only:

• 51 of the top 1,097 workplace roles in the UK are held by
ethnically diverse people.

• In the sectors of law, police and security and in the arts,

culture and sport groups, there was only 1 ethnically diverse
senior leader.

• In business and finance, ethnically diverse people

represented 5% (7 out of 155).

• In the media and advertising sector, there was 7% ethnically

diverse individuals (5 out of 76).

Although ethnically diverse employees have the same skill sets
and work experience as those from a white British background,

there is often a significant gap between the career progression of

both groups. According to CIPD, ethnically diverse employees feel
that discrimination in the workplace is a problem more

experienced by them rather than those from a white British

background.

Having a different identities/background outside of the majority

in the workplace can cause some employees to encounter

barriers on the opportunities available to them.

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