The Inclusion, Diversity and Equality in the Workplace Conference 2024

In 2023, the UK Government have enhanced redundancy protection for women on maternity leave. This prompts organisations nationwide to review their HR policies for compliance and improved work culture. Despite HR professionals understanding the benefits of EDI, a recent CIPD report revealed that nearly half of employers lack clear strategies.

It is crucial to engage all employees and prioritise intersectionality, addressing discrimination based on various aspects of identity. Effective steps include leadership commitment, policy review, training, employee engagement, and collaboration. These efforts aim to create inclusive workplaces and contribute to a fairer society.

• 36% of employers said their organisation is not planning to focus on any EDI areas in the next five years, according to CIPD (2024)
• According to the same report by CIPD, just 7% of organisations have a specific EDI budget
• 66% of UK workers say that acceptance and inclusion of employees from all backgrounds is important to them when searching for jobs, according to People Management (2023)

Why Attend?

• Gain Valuable Insights into the latest trends, best practices, and strategies for promoting equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in the workplace
• Learn from expert speakers and industry leaders who will share their experiences and expertise in implementing successful EDI initiatives
• Explore innovative approaches to creating inclusive work environments that foster belonging and respect for all employees
• Acquire practical tools and resources to develop and implement robust EDI policies and practices within your organisatio
• Network with like-minded professionals and exchange ideas, experiences, and best-practices for advancing EDI in various industries and sectors

• 09.00

  Online Registration

   

• 09.50

  Chair’s Opening Remarks 

  Louise Mullany, Associate Professor of Sociolinguistics, University of Nottingham (CONFIRMED)

  
• 10.00

  Keynote: Enhanced Redundancy Protection: Government Guidance on How to Fully Comply

  • National overview of current statistics in workforce diversity and key findings from government reporting
  • Updates from the enhanced redundancy protection of women on maternity leave
  • Advice on how organisations can take this opportunity to review organisational policies and ensure full compliance with the updated act
  • Insights into collecting workforce data and using it to apply an evidence-based approach when designing and testing the effectiveness of EDI policies

  Gillian Unsworth, Head of Gender and Workplace Equality, Government Equalities Office (CONFIRMED)

  

   

• 10.20

  Keynote: Insight from the Voices from Race at Work Surveys

  • Additional Insight from ongoing research centred on current issues

  Sandra Kerr, Race Director, Business in the Community (CONFIRMED)

  

   

• 10.40

  Key Supporter Session

   

• 11.00

  Question and Answers Session

   

• 11.20

  Comfort Break

   

• 11.35

  Case Study: Training Managers to Run Hybrid Teams: Upskilling Staff to Promote EDI

  Amy Butterworth, Consultancy Director, Timewise (Invited)

   

• 11.55

  Case Study: A Best Practice Approach to Organisational Inclusivity for Hidden Disabilities

  • Insights from the roll-out of the roadshow campaign to champion staff with disabilities as role models
  • Tools and resources for encouraging an increase in disability declaration rates through accessible pathways and signposting
  • Guidance on gaining senior leader buy-in for initiatives designed to spread awareness around hidden disabilities
  • Empowering lived experience voices to improve understanding of living with a hidden disability and how to be an ally

  Emma Mendes Da Costa, Workforce Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead, Sussex Partnerships NHS Foundation Trust (invited)

• 12.15

  Case Study: Implementing Workplace Mental Health and Wellbeing Initiatives to Prevent Burnout

  • Expert tips on improving workplace wellbeing through proven staff engagement initiatives
  • Strategies for dealing with burnout and implementing mechanisms for staff to avoid becoming overly tired
  • Advice for HR specialists on re-integrating staff into the workplace who have been away due to ill mental health
  • Developing a line manager wellbeing competencies framework to equip leaders with the skills to handle difficult conversations
  • Embedding mental health first aiders within teams to support their colleagues and advocate for healthy behaviours from senior leadership

  Janet O’Neill, Deputy Head, National School of Occupational Health  (CONFIRMED)

• 12.35

  Question and Answers Session

• 12.55

  Lunch Break

• 13.35

  Keynote: Creating and Embedding Diverse and Inclusive Policies as a Leader

  Arun Verma, Head of Diversity and Inclusion, University of London  (CONFIRMED)

• 13.55

  Case Study: Building an LGBTQ+ Inclusive Workplace to Ensure Everyone Feels Welcome and Supported

  • Addressing common barriers faced by LGBTQ+ staff in the workplace and advice to eliminate discrimination
  • Guidance on helping transgender staff understand their rights and signposting pathways to access help
  • Utilising staff networks to build community and foster inclusion for LGBTQ+ employees organisation-wide
  • Recommendations for implementing a zero-tolerance approach to workplace discrimination and harassment

  Nell Andrew, Head of Equality and Inclusivity, RSPB (CONFIRMED)

• 14.15

  Key Supporter Session 

• 14.35

  Questions and Answers Session 

• 14.55

  Comfort Break

• 15.10

  Breakout Networking: Building Equal, Diverse and Inclusive Workplace Cultures

  This session will provide you with the opportunity to discuss the main challenges you face when trying to improve EDI in the workplace. Share solutions and learn from initiatives that have been successful in other places of work. 

• 15.40

  Case Study: Mentoring and Reverse Mentoring: A Recipe for Organisational EDI Success

  • Best practice advice and feedback from the award-winning reverse mentoring inclusion programme
  • Strategies for opening up pathways for both junior and senior colleagues to share insights and encourage overall organisational transparency
  • Advice on successful reverse mentoring teams ensuring senior members of staff understand the needs and wants of junior staff
  • Utilising feedback from the programme to ensure future successful rollouts of the programme

  Haseeb Ahmad, Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (invited)

• 16.00

  Case Study: Flexible Working: Attracting and Retaining a Diverse Workforce

  • Consulting with staff to co-produce a hybrid working strategy that embeds flexibility and meets a variety of needs
  • Guidance for creating a flexible strategy that accommodates changing homeworking needs for new parents and workplace returners
  • Tips for promoting flexible working practices during recruitment processes to attract a diverse range of talent
  • Sharing innovative strategies to strengthen virtual team cohesion and ensure remote workers are adequately equipped

  Catherine Sermon, Head of Engagement and Campaigns, Phoenix Group (CONFIRMED)

• 16.20

  Questions and Answers Session 

• 16.40

  Chair’s Summary and Close

  *Programme subject to change

  

Who Should Attend?

This Conference is open to Public, Private and Third Sectors.

For more information or to make a booking please call 0330 058 4285

We are now taking bookings for our wide range of sponsorship and exhibition packages; we also offer bespoke packages tailored for your organisation.

Why Sponsor and Exhibit at this event:

✓ Network with key decision makers
✓ Meet your target audience in the Sector
✓ Listen and Learn from leading industry experts across the Sector
✓ Opportunity to demonstrate your products or services
✓ Speak alongside industry leading experts
✓ Work with your dedicated account manager to generate the maximum amount of leads

Exhibition and Sponsorship Packages:

Strategic Headline Sponsor:

• 20-minute speaking slot followed by Q&A
• 3x2m Exhibition Space (In the Refreshments and Catering room)
• Pre show marketing email to all registered delegates
• Post show inclusion on presentation email
• Branding on Website and Event Guide (Logo and 100 Word Profile)
• A4 Insert or A4 Chair Drop
• 5 Delegate Conference Passes
• 1 Speaker Pass

Key Supporter Package:

• 20-minute speaking slot followed by Q&A
• Branding on Website and Event Guide (Logo and 100 Word Profile)
• A4 Insert or Chair Drop
• 1 Speaker Pass
• 2 Delegate Conference Passes

Exhibition Stand:

• 3x2m Exhibition Space (In the Refreshments and Catering room)
• Power, Wifi, Table and 2 Chairs (If required)
• Branding on Website and Event Guide (Logo and 100 Word Profile)
• 2 Delegate Conference Passes
• 1 Stand Manager Pass

Insert or Chair Drop:

• 1 Delegate Conference Pass
• A4 insert into delegate pack or A4 Chair Drop

For more information or to discuss your requirements, please contact the team on 0330 0584 285, or sponsorship@governmentevents.co.uk or complete our enquiry form and we will contact you.

• Private Sector: £649.00+VAT
• Voluntary Sector : £379.00+VAT
• Public Sector : £449.00+VAT