Newcastle Building Society has signed up to the Race at Work Charter as part of a commitment to improving equal opportunities for its black, Asian, mixed race and ethnically diverse employees.
According to the building society, it aligned itself with the charter during Race Equality Week (6-12 February) in order to review its policies and improve equality of opportunity in the workplace.
Launched by Business in the Community (BITC) in 2018, the charter builds on the work of the 2017 McGregor-Smith Review, which found that people from black, Asian, Mixed Race and ethnically diverse backgrounds were underemployed, under-promoted and under-represented at senior levels.
Businesses which sign the charter are required to appoint an executive sponsor for race, capture data and publicise progress, ensure zero tolerance of harassment and bullying, make equality in the workplace the responsibility of all leaders and managers, take action that supports ethnic minority career progression, support race inclusion allies in the workplace, and include enterprises with ethnically diverse owners in their supply chains.
Stuart Miller, chief customer officer and executive sponsor for race at Newcastle Building Society, said: “Fostering inclusion and positive change at work and in our communities is one of our business’s strategic priorities and we are therefore committed to developing a workforce that represents and reflects the make-up of our communities.
“We know that only by fully harnessing a range of personal experiences and diverse perspectives, we can continue to deliver a truly exceptional service to our customers. Signing the charter is the latest step on our journey, and it makes our commitment to racial equality visible to our colleagues, customers, partners and communities.”
Sandra Kerr, race director at BITC, added: “Newcastle Building Society is joining more than 900 businesses who are working together so that the UK can have one of the most inclusive workplaces in the world. By taking collective action, we can break down workplace barriers, raise the aspirations and achievements of talented individuals regardless of their ethnicity and deliver an enormous boost to the long-term economic position of the UK.”