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.
Factsheets
Regularly-updated factsheets provide overviews and information on a topic
1 Factsheets about Equality, diversity and inclusion
Factsheets
Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in the workplace
Understand what equality, diversity and inclusion mean in the workplace and how an effective EDI strategy can support business
Guides
Designed for practitioners, our guides provide recommendations and advice on how to apply good practice in the workplace.
17 Guides about Equality, diversity and inclusion
Guides
Transgender and non-binary EDI in the workplace
How to support transgender and non-binary people at work, as part of a broader EDI policy
Guides
Inclusion top tips for hybrid working
Make use of our top tips on inclusion for hybrid working
Guides
Staff networks: Guidance for people professionals
Practical advice and case studies for organisations and their employees working to establish, improve or run an effective staff network or employee resource group (ERG).
Guides
Meeting the BITC Race at Work Charter
Practical advice to meet the seven calls to action and tackle ethnic disparities in the workplace
Guides
Ethnicity pay reporting: A guide for UK employers
Guidance on navigating voluntary ethnicity pay reporting
Guides
Supporting colleagues during Ramadan: Guidance for the workplace
Helping you create an inclusive workplace that values, respects and celebrates diversity
Guides
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
Guides
Inclusive recruitment: Guide for employers
A step by step guide for employers to ensure fair processes are set up to attract a more diverse talent pool
Guides
How to talk about race at work
Principles, steps and considerations for organisations on how to have conversations about race with their employees
Guides
How to set up an ERG for black and ethnic minority employees
Eight steps to help employers establish an employee resource group (ERG) for black and ethnic minority employees, including the business case for doing so
Guides
How to source diverse suppliers
Advice for organisations on how to source diverse suppliers for your business
Guides
Anti-racism guide for people managers
Advice for line managers on how they can play their part in tackling racism in their organisation
Guides
Engaging with leaders on anti-racism strategy
Advice on how people professionals can engage with senior leaders on inclusion and anti-racism strategy
Guides
Developing an anti-racism strategy
Explore the six principles the CIPD recommends to help you create a racially inclusive workplace
Guides
People manager guide: Inclusive recruitment
Practical guidance for managers to create an inclusive environment, avoid bias and ensure an inclusive recruitment process.
Guides
Neurodiversity at work
Learn more about neurodiversity, the benefits for organisations, and how to support neurodivergent people to be comfortable and successful at work
Reports
Research and analysis by experts from CIPD and partner organisations
22 Reports about Equality, diversity and inclusion
Reports
Inclusion at work 2022
Benchmarking information and recommendations to support inclusive people practice
Reports
Resourcing and talent planning report
Our trend analysis and benchmarking data on recruitment, workforce planning and retention helps HR and employers recruit and retain effectively
Reports
Understanding older workers in Scotland
Analysis and recommendations to support longer and more fulfilling working lives
Reports
Understanding older workers
Analysis and recommendations to support longer and more fulfilling working lives
Reports
Managing multicultural teams
This report highlights the role managers play in helping to facilitate more inclusive, empathetic working styles in multicultural teams
Reports
Race inclusion report: Equality of career progression
We look at factors which could be enablers or barriers to progression in the workplace
Reports
Race inclusion report: Talking about race at work
We look at the need to talk about race at work and the barriers and facilitators of these conversations
Reports
Race inclusion report: Encouraging ethnicity data disclosure
We look at the importance of collecting ethnicity data to identify under-representation in the workplace
Reports
Inclusion at work: perspectives on LGBT+ working lives
CIPD research highlights the key barriers and enablers to help people professionals improve LGBT+ workplace inclusion
Reports
Diversity of employment relationships
Curated content to support the eighth trend of the CIPD’s People Profession 2030 virtual Hackathon
Reports
Workforce diversity and changing demographics
Curated content to support the fifth trend of the CIPD’s People Profession 2030 virtual Hackathon
Reports
Diversity management that works: Summary of recommendations
Develop an evidence-based view of D&I by exploring our research report and practitioner-focused recommendations
Reports
Megatrends: Ageing gracefully – the opportunities of an older workforce
This report examines the opportunities afforded by extending working lives as the UK’s ageing population continues to expand
Reports
Lessons from reporting the gender pay gap
Research shows that the people profession needs more support to fulfill its role in closing the gap
Reports
Hidden figures: the missing data from corporate reports
A study of people risk and workforce reporting by UK FTSE 100 organisations
Reports
Creating longer, more fulfilling working lives
Discover the policy frameworks and initiatives on offer to support older workers in the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany and the UK
Reports
Inclusive leadership
Research, commissioned by the Employers Network for Equality & Inclusion (enei), looks at how organisations understand inclusive leadership
Reports
Insights into managing an age-diverse workforce
Employee perspectives on age diversity at work, with recommendations for employers and summary interviews from case study organisations
Reports
Gender diversity in the boardroom
Explore HR practitioners’ perspectives on gender diversity in the boardroom
Reports
Age diversity in SMEs: reaping the benefits
Explore SME attitudes to mature employees and an age-diverse workforce, age diversity benefits and challenges, and support for the extension of working lives
Reports
Tackling the barriers to leadership
An exploration of the systemic barriers to leadership illustrated through case studies
Reports
Views on managing an age-diverse workforce
An examination of the issues relating to managing an age-diverse workforce, comparing employee and employer/HR perspectives
Case studies
Learn from real world examples of how other people professionals and organisations work with the CIPD to approach key challenges and objectives.
5 Case studies about Equality, diversity and inclusion
Case studies
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 studies
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 studies
Championing disability inclusion: Longhurst Group
Case study on how the charitable housing association built a culture of equality, diversity and inclusion to become an employer of choice for those with protected characteristics
Case studies
Solving business problems with people analytics: University of Warwick
Using people data to tackle pay gaps and drive inclusive change
Case studies
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
2 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
Tools
Inclusion Calendar 2023
This online calendar, produced in partnership with Diversiton, is for individual CIPD members’ own personal use and highlights over 240 important dates including holy days, religious festivals, health and wellbeing awareness days, special events and bank holidays.
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
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
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
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
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
Focusing on age inclusive recruitment
Claire McCartney discusses the recent launch of the CIPD’s joint guidance with the Centre for Ageing Better and the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) Good Recruitment for Older Workers (GROW) on age inclusive recruitment
Thought leadership
Beyond diversity training: What works in making workplaces more inclusive?
A landmark study reviews successful interventions for reducing discrimination at work
Thought leadership
Creating impactful and inclusive learning
Enabling flexible, accessible learning that improves a learner’s existing practice
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
Race inclusion reports
This series of reports outlines how employers can act to improve race inclusion in the workplace
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
The disability employment gap needs closing – on several fronts
Rachel Suff’s article analyses our recent work looking at the disability employment gap, and outlines the ways the Government could do more to help close it
Thought leadership
Should we stop talking about generational differences?
Focusing on life stages instead of generational differences is a better bet for effective people management
Thought leadership
Conflict at work: Has #MeToo made a difference?
Rachel Suff draws on key insights from CIPD’s latest research on conflict management to consider whether the #MeToo movement has changed workplace culture
Thought leadership
You’ve raised awareness, now what?
We often raise awareness about key issues like diversity and mental health work. But can raising awareness really change behaviour and tackle workplace issues?
Thought leadership
Creating and developing positive organisational cultures for learning and inclusion
Meaningful culture change means little if organisations have no sense of what they are striving for. We must understand what a positive culture actually looks like to most effectively enable positive change
Thought leadership
Infinity and beyond diversity
What’s the philosophical root of inclusion and what can we learn from this?
Thought leadership
Gender recognition: a complex and controversial issue
Ben Willmott gives an overview of the ongoing debate being had around proposed changes to the Gender Recognition Act
Thought leadership
Pride month at the CIPD
Jill Miller talks about the work the CIPD have done over Pride month, and before, in support of the LGBT+ community and promoting equality
Thought leadership
Would a ban on NDAs help prevent harassment?
In the wake of the #MeToo movement, Rachel Suff tackles the nuances of non-disclosure agreements after numerous calls for them to be banned
Thought leadership
Ethnicity pay reporting and our consultation response
Claire McCartney discusses the CIPD’s approach to the Government’s consultation on mandatory ethnicity pay reporting
Thought leadership
How can we shrink the disability employment gap?
Rachel Suff talks Disability Confident, line managers, and pay gaps in her latest Voice article
Thought leadership
Tackling racial disadvantages and discrimination in the workplace
The UK Prime Minister’s challenge to society to ‘explain or change’ ethnic disparities has put the topic of race in the spotlight. Claire McCartney recommends actions employers can take to address ethnic disparities in their organisations
Thought leadership
HR professionals – potential agents of change
The workplace is where the diversity of the UK comes together. While paddling upstream to make improvements, how can we get it ‘right’?
Thought leadership
Profiting from diversity: Inclusivity offers boost to businesses’ bottom line
Corporate policies that promote pro‐diversity cultures enhance future innovative efficiency. Researchers investigate how workforce diversity can enhance organisation value
Thought leadership
Why the future of diversity and inclusion was yesterday
What can we do to make it now?
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
Podcasts
Listen to episodes from our podcast series on a range of topical workplace, HR and L&D issues.
5 Podcasts about Equality, diversity and inclusion
Podcasts
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.
Podcasts
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?
Podcasts
Challenging systemic racism at work
Episode 161: How does racism express itself in the modern workplace and what must organisations do to address systemic racism, to create truly fair and inclusive workplaces?
Podcasts
Why is it so hard to talk about BAME?
Episode 137: We look at why organisations find it more difficult to talk about BAME diversity than gender diversity and HR’s role in supporting change.
Podcasts
Unconscious bias
Episode 136: How biased are you? How unconscious bias plays into recruitment
Webinars
Webinar recordings providing expert guidance
15 Webinars about Equality, diversity and inclusion
Webinars
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
Webinars
Getting to grips with ethnicity pay reporting
Anti-racism stays on the agenda: How can HRDs make a strong case for voluntary ethnicity pay reporting and secure senior leadership buy-in?
Webinars
Anti-racism stays on the agenda
In this webinar series we tackle the key issues around creating a safe and inclusive workspace
Webinars
Managing multicultural teams
Watch our webinar to hear from a panel of UK and international experts how managers can positively influence culturally diverse teams, and how to successfully manage an increasingly hybrid workforce.
Webinars
Homeworking long-term
Watch our webinar discussing how people professionals can effectively support ongoing homeworking
Webinars
Building anti-racist and compassionate workplaces
Black HR professionals share their lived experiences and talk about the change that is needed to combat workplace racism.
Webinars
Effective employee networks
Setting up, supporting and developing effective employee resource groups on race
Webinars
Ethnicity pay gap reporting
Ethnicity pay gap reporting and what it means for organisations
Webinars
Securing long-term leadership commitment
Anti-racism stays on the agenda: Advice and strategies for getting anti-racism onto the board and leadership agenda
Webinars
Racism and the challenge for HR: Where next?
Watch the final webinar in this three-part series as Frank Douglas and Peter Cheese discuss the future for an inclusive workplace
Webinars
Creating a pro-inclusive leadership plan
Watch the second webinar in our three-part series as Frank Douglas and Dev Modi discuss how HR leaders can create a more inclusive workplace culture
Webinars
The history behind today's underrepresented workforce
Watch the first webinar in our three-part series, panelists discuss the history that's still influencing society’s systemic racism
Webinars
Diversity and inclusion through COVID-19
Watch our webinar panelists discussing how to ensure D&I remains on the agenda during times of crisis
Webinars
Leading through crisis
Watch our webinar on leading through crisis with Rupert McNeil, UK Government Chief People Officer, in conversation with Peter Cheese, CEO, CIPD
Webinars
Gender pay gap reporting: the what, how and when
In this webcast, we discuss the requirements of the regulations, who they cover, the pros and cons of publishing the data, and what it means for organisations.
Evidence review
Evidence reviews enable you to ask the critical questions and use evidence for better decision-making.
5 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
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
Evidence review
Flexible working, teleworking and diversity: An evidence review
Examine the evidence behind the claim that flexible working arrangements support inclusion and diversity
Evidence review
Diversity and inclusion at work: facing up to the business case
Our new report assesses the evidence on the outcomes of diversity at work and how organisations can tackle these to make work an equal business
Bitesize research
Your regular overview of current research, inspiring insights and cutting-edge ideas in bitesize
36 Bitesize research about Equality, diversity and inclusion
Bitesize research
The barriers to progression for women in finance
This article looks at reasons for the underrepresentation of women at board level in financial services
For Members
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
Homeworking: A gendered career issue?
Flexible working arrangements challenge gender stereotypes of women in the workplace
For Members
Bitesize research
Does the job fit?
Understanding what influences the career choices of women from ethnic minority backgrounds
For Members
Bitesize research
Understanding why women opt out of corporate leadership
Focusing on authentic leadership encourages women leaders to remain in post
For Members
Bitesize research
What actually works in reducing workplace prejudice?
A systematic review summarises the best available evidence on building diverse and inclusive organisations
For Members
Bitesize research
Against the odds?
How do we identify our own social class and its impact on our success?
For Members
Bitesize research
Delivering inclusion and diversity from the top down
Using control measures for management when delivering I&D strategies
For Members
Bitesize research
Overrepresentation of men in senior positions
What do men make of their traditional overrepresentation in senior positions?
For Members
Bitesize research
Does your diversity strategy measure up?
Using insights from interviews with over 20 chief diversity officers within large organisations, these authors highlight how workforce data can be used to inform diversity and inclusion initiatives, and the importance of doing so.
For Members
Bitesize research
Female representation in male dominated industries
The case of an online women’s mentoring platform
For Members
Bitesize research
The role of women’s networks in gender equality
Supporting women’s networks in promoting workforce diversity
For Members
Bitesize research
Avoiding unintended consequences from diversity initiatives
Ensuring real progress from diversity initiatives
For Members
Bitesize research
The real barriers to female progression
What is really holding women back?
For Members
Bitesize research
Traditional attitudes on gender and work
Do women hold less traditional views on gender than men?
For Members
Bitesize research
Women versus capitalism: Why women can’t have it all in a free market economy
Exploring the economics of workplace gender inequality
For Members
Bitesize research
Ensuring ethnic diversity at the top of organisations
Are FTSE organisations on track to meet their diversity targets?
For Members
Bitesize research
Diversity management practices and employee outcomes
Explore the link between employee outcomes and diversity management
For Members
Bitesize research
Can commuting time explain the gender pay gap?
Discover the factors contributing to the gender pay gap
For Members
Bitesize research
The treatment of disabled employees
Explore this research review on disability at work
For Members
Bitesize research
Ticking a box or valuing difference: leader perspectives on D&I
Explore the factors that influence an approach to D&I at work
For Members
Bitesize research
Ethnic bias in recruitment
Explore how ethnic bias can affect recruitment
For Members
Bitesize research
Workplace disability discrimination
Explore the disadvantages disabled employees face
For Members
Bitesize research
A woman’s work: lessons in gender equality from Norway
Explore how Norway is leading the way
For Members
Bitesize research
Retaining an ageing workforce
Explore the impact of cutting-edge HR practices in retaining older workers
For Members
Bitesize research
Using AI to promote inclusive organisations
Discover how AI can create more inclusive organisations
For Members
CIPD Viewpoint
Our collected point of view on the key issues impacting work, from the perspective of employers and policy makers.
6 CIPD Viewpoints about Equality, diversity and inclusion
CIPD Viewpoint
Race inclusion in the workplace
Explore the CIPD’s point of view on race inclusion in the workplace, including recommendations for employers
CIPD Viewpoint
Sexual orientation, gender identity and gender reassignment
Explore the CIPD’s point of view on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender reassignment, including recommendations for employers
CIPD Viewpoint
Religion and belief
Explore the CIPD’s point of view on religion and belief, including actions for Government and recommendations for employers
CIPD Viewpoint
Gender equality at work
Explore the CIPD’s point of view on gender equality at work, including recommendations for employers and actions for the UK Government
CIPD Viewpoint
Age-diverse workforces
Explore the CIPD’s point of view on age diversity in the workplace, including recommendations for employers and actions for the UK Government
CIPD Viewpoint
Disability equality at work
Explore the CIPD’s point of view on disability in the workplace, including recommendations for employers and actions for the UK Government
Policy engagement
Our calls for action.
5 Policy engagements about Equality, diversity and inclusion
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
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
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 tauilored to suit you and your needs.
Our Essential Insights courses are free as part of the CIPD membership.
This thought-provoking course has been developed by Sukh Pabial, one of CIPD’s experienced Associates. People practitioners and professionals will learn how to approach and build an evidence-based organisational strategy for inclusion and diversity. Transferring their learning into day-to-day work, they will play a role in driving action for workplace behaviours that support and reinforce I&D standards.
Take this short online course and learn some of the key principles you need to foster inclusive habits. Become empowered to leverage the talents of a diverse team and gain an understanding of what is takes to become an inclusive leader.
Learn and use critical thinking strategies when analysing information and data sources to improve decision-making, judgement and to find the best solution.
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