Consulting firm Mercer has signed the Race at Work charter, committing to address the issues that employees from ethnic minority groups face in the workplace.
The race charter, developed in partnership with the UK government and charity Business in the Community (BITC), has set out to improve the workplace quality for employees from black, Asian and minority (Bame) backgrounds based in the UK.
Mercer, that currently employs over 25,000 staff, will now commit to tackling racial inequality by supporting the career progression for ethnic minority employees through offering extensive learning and development sessions.
The organisation will regularly publish its ethnic pay figures and communicate the progress of closing its gap. Mercer will also ensure a zero-tolerance policy of racial harassment and bullying in the workplace, as well as taking steps to appoint an executive sponsor for race, to continually drive the initiative forward.
Sylvia Pozezanac, chief executive at Mercer, said: “We understand and recognise the importance of a diverse workforce and inclusive culture. We are dedicated to ensuring all employees are supported equally and all are offered every opportunity to excel in their career.
“We are proud to show our commitment to supporting the development and progression of our racial and ethnically diverse employees and increasing public awareness of these barriers by signing the Race at Work charter.”
“Mercer is committed to creating a culture of belonging where all employees can bring their whole self to work, feel valued, supported and thrive. Through the Race at Work charter and numerous other initiatives, we are reinforcing our commitments and setting targets to keep ourselves accountable.”