Diageo firmly believes that inclusive and diverse businesses are better places to work and perform better, which is why it is proud to sign up to the BITC Race at Work Charter.

Under-presentation in the workplace

Diageo is a signatory of the Race at Work Charter, a new initiative designed to improve outcomes for black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) employees in the UK and which provides practical help to tackle racial barriers in the workplace. 

The Race at Work Charter builds on the 2017 McGregor-Smith Review, ‘Race in the workplace’, which found that people from BAME backgrounds are still under-employed, under-promoted and under-represented at senior levels. The Race at Work survey has found that:

• There has been an increase in the number of workers from BAME background who say that they have seen or experienced racist harassment or bullying from customers or service users.
• Although they are ambitious, over half of BAME employees still believe they will have to leave their current company to progress their career
• The number of managers who report that they have a performance objective to promote equality at work has fallen from 41% in 2015 to 32% in 2018
• Most importantly, employees have not reported any increase in the number of leaders demonstrating commitment and taking action since 2015

Tackling barriers to BAME recruitment

The Race at Work Charter aims to encourage a commitment to improving outcomes. It is made up of five principles to make sure organisations overcome the barriers to BAME recruitment and progression. By signing the charter, Diageo is committed to:

• Hiring an Executive Sponsor for race
• Gathering data and publicising progress
• Establishing zero tolerance of harassment and bullying
• Making equality in the workplace the responsibility of all leaders and managers
• Taking action that helps ethnic minority career progression

The key to future productivity and performance

Signing the Charter means taking practical steps to make sure Diageo is overcoming barriers that ethnic minority people face in recruitment and progression and that Diageo is representative of modern British society.

To support organisations like Diageo in measuring their progress against these commitments, BITC is launching a short tracker survey, which will highlight how they are bettering outcomes for BAME employees and stakeholders.

With the help of the Race at Work Charter, Diageo can recruit from the widest pool of talent and to help them progress, which is key to future productivity and performance. 

"Together we can break down barriers in the workplace, raise the aspirations and achievements of talented individuals, and deliver an enormous boost to the long-term economic position of the UK," says Sandra Kerr OBE, Race Equality Director at Business in the Community.

Join a company that is committed to inclusion

As one of the leading alcohol beverages companies, Diageo offers a wide range of opportunities to talented people, regardless of background. Learn more and apply now!

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