At the CIPD, our ‘Inclusion at work 2022 report’ showed that just 30% of employers say their leaders are completely committed to having an inclusive and diverse workforce.

Explore our reports and guides for best practice approaches to equal opportunities, diversity and managing inclusion. Listen to our podcast for the latest trends in equality, diversity and inclusion.

All topics A-Z

Factsheets

Regularly-updated factsheets provide overviews and information on a topic

One Factsheet about Equality, diversity and inclusion
Factsheet
Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in the workplace
What does EDI mean in the workplace and why is an effective EDI strategy vital to business?

Employment law

Practical resources to help you address employment law issues at work, and keep up with recent and pending legislation.

One Employment law about Equality, diversity and inclusion
Employment law
Gender pay gap reporting: UK employment law
Explore our collection of resources around the gender pay gap in UK employment law

Guides

Designed for practitioners, our guides provide recommendations and advice on how to apply good practice in the workplace.

12 Guides about Equality, diversity and inclusion
Guide
How to calculate your gender pay gap
How to calculate and publish your gender pay gap
Guide
Gender pay gap reporting: What is it, do you need to report and why
Learn about the gender pay gap, find out which employers need to report and understand why it's important
Guide
ERGs and staff networks: How to set up and run business groups
A practical look at supporting employees via staff networks and employee resource groups (ERGs)
For Members
Guide
Disability workforce reporting
Practical advice on using disability workforce reporting to create a more inclusive and supportive culture, benefitting both the organisation and the workforce
Guide
Ethnicity pay reporting: A guide for UK employers
Guidance on navigating voluntary ethnicity pay reporting
For Members
Guide
People manager guide: Recruiting, managing and developing people with a disability or health condition
Practical guidance from the CIPD and Disability Confident to support line managers
Guide
Five actions you can take to foster inclusion
We outline five areas in which people professionals can take action to build inclusion in the workplace
For Members
Guide
People manager guide: Inclusive recruitment
Practical guidance for managers to create an inclusive environment, avoid bias and ensure an inclusive recruitment process.
Guide
Inclusive recruitment: Guide for people professionals
A step by step guide for employers to ensure fair processes are set up to attract a more diverse talent pool
Guide
How to talk about race at work
Principles, steps and considerations for organisations on how to have conversations about race with their employees
Guide
Supporting race equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) at work: Guidance for managers
Advice for line managers on how they can play their part in tackling racism in their organisation
Guide
Neuroinclusion at work
Learn about the benefits of having a neuroinclusive and fair organisation and how to support neurodivergent people to be comfortable and successful at work

Reports

Research and analysis by experts from CIPD and partner organisations

Eight Reports about Equality, diversity and inclusion
Report
Resetting EDI and reaffirming inclusion
This report offers a summary and analysis of a collection of perspectives around EDI (equality, diversity and inclusion) from HR leaders and EDI specialists, suggesting areas to consider for improving outcomes for employers and employees alike
Report
Neuroinclusion at work report 2024
Find out about the importance of neuroinclusive workplaces, what employers are doing and the working experiences of neurodivergent and neurotypical employees
Report
The case for disability workforce reporting
The importance of disability workforce reporting created in partnership with the Business Disability Forum
Report
Inclusion at work 2022
Benchmarking information and recommendations to support inclusive people practice
Report
Understanding older workers in Scotland
Analysis and recommendations to support longer and more fulfilling working lives
Report
Understanding older workers
Analysis and recommendations to support longer and more fulfilling working lives
Report
Race inclusion report: Equality of career progression
We look at factors which could be enablers or barriers to progression in the workplace 
Report
Diversity of employment relationships
Curated content to support the eighth trend of the CIPD’s People Profession 2030 virtual Hackathon

Case studies

Learn from real world examples of how other people professionals and organisations work with the CIPD to approach key challenges and objectives.

Three Case studies about Equality, diversity and inclusion
Case study
A day in the life of an I&D specialist
A day in the life of Michelle Mendelsson, Head of Diversity and Inclusion EMEA at Credit Suisse International
Case study
A day in the life of an I&D specialist
A day in the life of Paul Deemer, Head of Diversity and Inclusion at NHS Employers
Case study
People Profession: Mencap – Recruiting from the heart
How a team with boundless dedication managed to transform the way the Royal Mencap Society finds and keeps its people

Tools

One Tools about Equality, diversity and inclusion
Tools
Understanding inclusion in your organisation
Use our inclusion health checker tool and get recommendations on where to make improvements
For Members

Thought leadership

Insight and foresight from our experts in people and the world of work

36 Thought leadership about Equality, diversity and inclusion
Thought leadership
Understanding, interpreting and complying with gender pay gap reporting
CIPD’s Senior Performance and Reward Advisor, Charles Cotton, explores some of the more common misconceptions around reporting gender bonus gaps, and what employers need to do to comply with requirements.
Thought leadership
Analysis | Employers may have to become more transparent about employee pay
With gender pay gaps reported at their lowest since 2017, Charles Cotton and Esmeralda Bon look at the progress made by large British firms and at the role of HR teams in reporting
Thought leadership
Briefing | Helping women thrive in work
How prioritising women’s and reproductive health policy can increase workplace satisfaction and career progression for women
Thought leadership
Briefing | Social mobility in the workplace
Research on how an employee's socioeconomic background or class affects their development opportunities and how to maximise social mobility in the workplace
Thought leadership
Are British employers making progress on the gender pay gap?
Implications and recommendations for HR teams on the trends and developments in gender pay gap reporting in Britain
Thought leadership
Creating a neuroinclusive organisation for the future of work
The CIPD’s Dr Jill Miller and Uptimize’s Ed Thompson explain why workplace EDI must include neuroinclusion - and a dedication to equality of outcomes for all types of thinkers - if organisations are to fulfil their people commitments, attract and retain great talent, and unlock innovation through true diversity of thought
Thought leadership
Five actions for HR to engage other leaders on EDI
Drawing on the findings from our Inclusion at Work 2022 survey, Jill Miller discusses how HR can engage with leaders and managers to prioritise equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI)
Thought leadership
CIPD-backed changes to support working carers gain Royal Assent
Claire McCartney discusses the importance of the most recent Private Members’ bills to become law and how beneficial they will be to employers and employees
Thought leadership
In their parents’ footsteps: What is the impact on social mobility?
James Cockett, CIPD Labour Market Economist, explores whether people go on to do the same job as their parents, and if this could be a barrier to social mobility
Thought leadership
Childcare reforms: What is needed for a successful rollout?
James Cockett, Labour Market Economist at the CIPD, analyses the UK Government’s recent budget announcement on childcare reforms and the challenges in the sector
Thought leadership
Gender pay gap reporting: Where’s the story?
Charles Cotton, the CIPD's Senior Policy Adviser on performance and reward, looks at how the gender pay gap varies by sector and employer size, and asks why more employers aren’t being open about their pay practices
Thought leadership
Are the barriers to social mobility being addressed in the workplace?
Research shows less than 1 in 10 organisations are focusing on improving social mobility at work. Dr Jill Miller, the CIPD's senior policy adviser on diversity and inclusion, discusses how employers can take action
Thought leadership
Disability Employment Gap Inquiry
Marek Zemanik discusses our recent submission to the Scottish Parliament’s Economy and Fair Work Committee’s Disability Employment Gap Inquiry.
Thought leadership
How UK organisations are creating more inclusive and diverse workplaces
Dr Jill Miller draws on survey data to examine what organisations are doing to improve EDI, as well as employers' future plans.
Thought leadership
We urge employers to take a proactive, long-term strategic approach to inclusion and diversity
Jill Miller analyses our recently published Inclusion at Work 2022 survey in her CIPD Voice article.
Thought leadership
CIPD is launching new and timely guidance to help employers recruit inclusively
Claire McCartney discusses our recently published practical guidance on inclusive recruitment
Thought leadership
Population dynamics: Creating pathways for your future workforce
Discover the future opportunities for workforce diversity and how to remove barriers
Thought leadership
The future of work: Insights for senior leaders on drivers of change
Our article series explores key trends shaping our future workplaces and working lives
Thought leadership
Mandatory ethnicity pay reporting moves step closer after backing by key select committee
Senior Inclusion and Diversity Adviser, Lutfur Ali, looks at the CIPD’s role in the latest public policy developments on ethnicity pay reporting as well as our work supporting the Race at Work Charter for employers
Thought leadership
Policy position on employer salary advance schemes
Charles Cotton looks at the issue of financial wellbeing and assesses the pros and cons of Employer Salary Advance Schemes (ESAS)
Thought leadership
A time to commit to safe cultures and places of work, and for organisations to play their part in positive change
By Peter Cheese, CIPD's chief executive
Thought leadership
How to break down the barriers to BAME employee career progression to the top
Dr Jill Miller outlines the findings of CIPD research about the careers of workers from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds
Thought leadership
Tackling sexual harassment in workplaces, including Parliament
Rachel Suff gives her take on what employers – including MPs in Westminster – can do to tackle bullying and harassment
Thought leadership
Over six months on from introduction, is gender pay gap reporting in trouble?
With less than 300 companies having reported their gender pay gap, Charles Cotton debates whether or not the initiative is at risk of failing
Thought leadership
Will pay disclosure promote equal pay at the BBC?
Mark Beatson gives his take on whether the high-profile revelations of BBC stars’ earnings will really drive meaningful change for gender equality
Thought leadership
The CIPD becomes Disability Confident
Dr Jill Miller reports on CIPD recently becoming a Disability Confident leader and a recent meeting we held with the minister for disability
Thought leadership
Focus on underrepresented groups in the labour market
Jill Miller highlights some of the key aspects of the CIPD's Manifesto for Work that relate specifically to the inclusion of under-represented groups in the labour market
Thought leadership
Weighing up the possibilities for childcare
Rachel Suff looks at what the main political parties are offering on childcare.
Thought leadership
Raising our game on work, health and disability
Rachel Suff outlines the CIPD’s response to the Government’s recent Green Paper on how employers can support people with ill health and disabilities to access and stay in work
Thought leadership
Real change on racial equality at work requires more action
Dr Jill Miller assesses the findings of the recent McGregor-Smith review into addressing under-representation of people from BAME backgrounds in the workplace
Thought leadership
Where do we really stand on gender equality in the workplace?
Rachel Suff, Employment Relations Adviser argues that more action is needed by government to tackle these issues, and says that a wider shift in culture is required in organisations to promote genuine gender equality
Thought leadership
Developing black and minority ethnic talent
Sara Mosavi puts forward the case for having an ethnically diverse workforce and outlines what can be done by organisations to promote diversity.
Thought leadership
How can we speed up gender diversity in the boardroom?
Rachel Suff, Employment Relations Adviser, explores ways that an executive talent pipeline can be built within organisations to ensure women are appointed to the very top jobs.
Thought leadership
Shaping a future that is good
Peter Cheese, CEO at the CIPD, shares his views on how we can engage to shape a future that is good for all
Thought leadership
The authenticity trap
Explores the challenge for organisations and individuals – creating an environment where people bring the best version of themselves to contribute to the organisation
Thought leadership
Work needs to be a human experience
An interview with Sam Clark, MD for UK and Ireland HR at Accenture, about ditching performance ratings and why it’s important to focus on individuals

Podcasts

Listen to episodes from our podcast series on a range of topical workplace, HR and L&D issues.

Two Podcasts about Equality, diversity and inclusion
Podcast
Cultural intelligence - Getting smart to make inclusion work
Episode 192: Explore what cultural intelligence (CQ) is, and why it is critical to the success of organisations and individuals in a global age.
Podcast
Building inclusion… with computers
Improving inclusion and diversity in the workplace has been a critical focus for people professionals for some time, yet real progress appears slow or stagnant. Could technology be an unexpected friend in solving this very human issue?

Webinars

Webinar recordings providing expert guidance

Three Webinars about Equality, diversity and inclusion
Webinar
CIPD webinar (member-exclusive): Equality action plans
Join this CIPD member-exclusive webinar, to learn from practice and turn gender pay gap reporting into evidence-led action and progress.
For Members
Webinar
Supporting employees experiencing pregnancy or baby loss
Listen to our webinar to learn how to create an inclusive and stigma-free organisational framework to support employees experiencing pregnancy or baby loss
Webinar
Homeworking long-term
Watch our webinar discussing how people professionals can effectively support ongoing homeworking

Evidence reviews

Evidence reviews enable you to ask the critical questions and use evidence for better decision-making.

Two Evidence reviews about Equality, diversity and inclusion
Evidence review
Retaining disadvantaged young people in work: An evidence review
Evidence-based insight and practical recommendations for creating jobs and inclusive workplaces where young people from marginalised backgrounds can thrive
For Members
Evidence review
Recruiting young people facing disadvantage: An evidence review
Evidence-based insight and practical recommendations for reaching, attracting and selecting young people from marginalised backgrounds
For Members

Bitesize research

Your regular overview of current research, inspiring insights and cutting-edge ideas in bitesize

26 Bitesize research about Equality, diversity and inclusion
Bitesize research
The pressures on female early-career academics
A look at the pressures placed on female academics by the nature of employment contracts.
For Members
Bitesize research
Removing dates from CVs can help people return to work
Why focusing on years of experience could help reduce bias against returners
For Members
Bitesize research
What to expect from work meetings held in different cultures
A look at cultural differences in meeting processes and expectations
For Members
Bitesize research
Digital inclusion and inequality in the workplace
How does the increasing use and importance of social media influence inclusion and equality in workplaces?
For Members
Bitesize research
Gender diversity in leadership
Exploring the benefits of women in leadership and how to improve gender diversity in management
For Members
Bitesize research
Female leadership in higher education institutions
Exploring female leaders’ experiences amid the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK 
For Members
Bitesize research
Can remote working close the disability employment gap?
Despite the advantages of increased home-working, people with disabilities are still missing out
For Members
Bitesize research
Including the excluded
How people professionals can break down barriers to workplace inclusion for people with disabilities
For Members
Bitesize research
The paradox of women’s workplace influence
Read more about their research here
For Members
Bitesize research
Removing the glass-cliff: Creating gender-inclusive boardrooms
Case study reveals some of the factors that influence the success of female CEOs
For Members
Bitesize research
Bucking the trend: social norms and diverse recruitment
Read how social norms can hold back inclusive appointments
For Members
Bitesize research
The impact of inequality – why fairness pays
Getting the message on reward and recognition
For Members
Bitesize research
Gender bias – mind your language
Explore these research findings
For Members
Bitesize research
Gender difference – challenging workplace myths
Find out what is really holding women back
For Members
Bitesize research
Making connections and embracing difference
Look at ways of improving inclusion
For Members
Bitesize research
Misjudged – how perceived bias can stifle potential
Read how to counteract perceived bias
For Members
Bitesize research
Breaking down barriers to inclusive recruitment
Impact of active labour market programmes on improving hiring practice
For Members
Bitesize research
How more women can get to the top
Understand what motivates women in top jobs
For Members
Bitesize research
Tackling bias – time to get talking
Find out why it’s important to look at the wider context
For Members
Bitesize research
Generation insights – a changing picture of personality
Explores the potential issues of meeting the needs of five different generations at work
For Members
Bitesize research
Breaking through the glass ceiling – what can smooth the path to progress?
Examines four organisation-level factors that help to explain the current gender imbalance in management roles
For Members
Bitesize research
Why an inclusive culture pays dividends
Read about the innovative practices that are making a difference
For Members
Bitesize research
Job fears – a block to behaving authentically?
Exploring the relationship between perceived job insecurity and behaviour
For Members
Bitesize research
Bringing your authentic self to work
Many companies are missing out on the potential advantages of inclusive leadership such as innovation, reduced staff turnover and the productive resolution of conflict
For Members
Bitesize research
Mind the gap – translating diversity policy into practice
This case study identifies several issue that are stopping organisations from embedding diversity initiatives
For Members
Bitesize research
You can't judge a book by its cover – challenging prejudice
Findings from a 'Living Library' suggests that intervention reduced participants' scores on multiple measures of prejudice against LGBT and Roma communities
For Members

Policy engagements

Our calls for action.

14 Policy engagements about Equality, diversity and inclusion
Policy engagement
CIPD consultation response: Employment support for disabled people - call for evidence
Our submission to the Work and Pensions Select Committee
Policy engagement
CIPD consultation response: Equality Law
Our response to the Office for Equality and Opportunity’s call for evidence: Equality Law
Policy engagement
CIPD consultation response: Pathways to work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper
Our submission to the Department for Work and Pensions
Policy engagement
CIPD consultation response: Equality (Race and Disability) Bill: mandatory ethnicity and disability pay gap reporting
Our submission to the Office for Equality and Opportunity
Policy engagement
CIPD consultation response: Autism Act 2009
Our submission to the House of Lords Autism Act 2009 Committee
Policy engagement
CIPD consultation response: Equality at work: paternity and shared parental leave
Submission to the Women and Equalities Select Committee
Policy engagement
CIPD consultation response: Code of practice for services, public functions and associations
Submission to the Equality and Human Rights Commission
Policy engagement
CIPD Manifesto for Good Work
We’re calling on the UK Government to create a long-term workforce strategy centred on skilled, healthy and fair work
Policy engagement
Sexism in the City: an inquiry into barriers faced by women in finance
Read our response to the Treasury Select Committee’s inquiry on sexism in the financial services industry
Policy engagement
Ethnic disparities and inequality in the UK: call for evidence
Read the submission to the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities
Policy engagement
Disability Employment Gap
Read the CIPD's submission to the Work and Pensions Select Committee
Policy engagement
CIPD consultation response: CSJ Disability Commission
Submission to the Centre for Social Justice
Policy engagement
Ethnicity pay reporting
Read the CIPD's submission to the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy
Policy engagement
Employment opportunities for Muslims in the UK
Read the CIPD's response to the Women and Equality Select Committee Inquiry

Learning

We offer a range of evidence-based courses tailored to suit you and your needs.
Our Essential Insights courses are free as part of the CIPD membership.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (Essential Insights)

Learn and use critical thinking strategies when analysing information and data sources to improve decision-making, judgement and to find the best solution.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (Accredited Programme)

Create inclusive working environments and a culture of trust where individuals have a sense of belonging and feel empowered to reach their potential.

Visit our
Learning shop

Choose from our extensive range of topics and learning options 

Find a course
Callout Image