New research from The Young Foundation, conducted for 12 professional membership/regulatory bodies including ACCA, reveals that while equality, diversity and inclusion initiatives are increasingly commonplace, there is growing scepticism among professionals that these are ‘box-ticking’ exercises
The report, Beyond Buzzwords, cautions that unless change is urgently prioritised, recent progress risks unravelling.
The research incorporates insights from more than 7,000 professionals across accountancy, engineering, health and safety, facilities management, human resources, insurance, law, management, procurement and public relations.
It finds nearly three-quarters of respondents had experienced barriers to career progression (73%) or 'discriminatory or exclusionary’ behaviour in their workplace (72%). Negative experiences were even more pronounced among those with multiple marginalised characteristics.
“For many years, the professions have shown real commitment in taking action on EDI. Yet we need to drive greater change, with organisations pushing forward higher standards,” said lead researcher Alice Bell.
“The findings highlight the critical role of professional and regulatory bodies as agents of change. The organisations driving this research together represent more than 750,000 UK workers, and they possess the influence, expertise and networks to raise standards and drive progress on EDI through training, guidelines and support for members.”
Key concerns emerging from the research include:
• There is widespread scepticism that ambitious EDI goals are being translated into meaningful actions, with a perception that rhetoric and box-ticking exercises bring few tangible improvements. As a result, support for EDI efforts seems to be waning....
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