What is this standard about?
This British Standard provides a framework and recommendations for valuing people through diversity and inclusion. It indicates how organizations of any size and sector can develop objectives, policies, practices and behaviours that go beyond compliance with legislation and increase the diversity and inclusion of people in or engaging with organizations. The framework has three dimensions to its recommendations (see Figure)
First, it provides recommendations for how diversity and inclusion can be valued in each of the three phases through which people and organizations interact, namely, (i) getting into organizations; (ii) staying in organizations; and (iii) moving on.
Second, it recognizes that the control and influence over the development of diversity and inclusion is strongest within the organization itself but it recommends dialogue on issues of diversity and inclusion between organizations and their customers/ clients, supply chains and the particular communities they have links to.
Third, it identifies the leadership commitment and behaviours required to value diversity and inclusion in all organizations. It provides organizations with the means of developing their own objectives, behaviours and measures for capturing the effectiveness of their approach.
Who is this standard for?
The Code is written for organizations aspiring to develop a diversity and inclusion strategy or stretch and embed their current strategy. The Code will be particularly useful for people in senior leadership, HR, management and management consultancy roles as well as individuals holding diversity and inclusion positions within organizations.
Why should you use this standard?
It’s designed to help organizations of every kind improve their performance by improving diversity and inclusion. To this end the standard:
- Provides a framework and recommendations for valuing people through diversity and inclusion
- Provides recommendations for influencing, engaging and aligning diversity and inclusion expectations
- Describes measures and principles designed to change business behaviour
- Helps organization recognize, value and embed diversity and inclusion
