Monday 25^th September marks the start of National Inclusion Week 2023.  Inclusive Employers founded National Inclusion Week 11 years ago; their aim was to dedicate a week of actions that would promote and celebrate inclusion within the workplace.  Each year Inclusive Employers have ensured that National Inclusion Week is an opportunity to encourage organisations to think about inclusion and to take practical steps to help develop inclusive workplaces. It is also a week of reflection and celebration; acknowledging all the hard work that you and your colleagues do to create an inclusive workplace and a better world.

This year’s National Inclusion Week theme 'Take Action Make Impact' signifies the importance of an action focused approach to inclusion and highlights inclusion as taking immediate action that will impact future inclusion.  It is an invitation to act in the moment and to commit to continued, persistent action. 

Daily Themes: 

Monday 25 September: Take Action – Engage Your Employees

There are a number of engaging broadcasts and publications on the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion News and Events page:  News and events : Equality, Diversity and Inclusion 

Tuesday 26 September: Take Action – Equip Your Employees

Our equality, diversity and inclusion courses are designed to support all staff in their day-to-day duties and promote respect and dignity for all of our campus community: 

Diversity in the Workplace: Our mandatory diversity in the workplace e-learning outlines the University’s approach to equality, diversity and inclusion.  Staff can also attend a range of other equality diversity and inclusion courses that are designed to help front-line staff in their day-to-day duties and promote respect and dignity for all. 

You can read our recent comms about mandatory training here: Reminder for managers: mandatory training for all staff

It is also Annual Development Review (ADR) season at the University. The ADR conversations have been designed to include a review of the past, looking ahead to the future, and a discussion around development, wellbeing and EDI considerations. You can read more about them here: ADRs: Planning your development 

Wednesday 27 September: Take Action – Empower Your Employees

Our staff networks play an important role in achieving our goals outlined in our equality, diversity and inclusion strategy, Inclusive Sussex. The networks provide staff with the opportunity to meet with colleagues from across campus and get involved with network activities. You can find out more about on the staff network landing page: Staff networks : Networks and support 

We also have a dedicated team of EDI Champions situated across each of our Schools and Professional Services divisions. The champions disseminate information and best practice, raise awareness of equality and diversity issues, encourage involvement in initiatives and help promote a culture where staff and students are treated fairly and with dignity and respect. You can read more about the EDI Champions here: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Champions 

Thursday 28 September: Take Action – Embed Inclusion

Resources, such as Equality Analysis, are  utilised to help measure the impact of policy, procedures, activities and services. Further information and resources can be found here: Further information and resources

Friday 29 September: Take Action – Evolve Inclusion

Equality charters and accreditation schemes help universities scrutinise equity and inclusion within their institutions, whilst providing substantial frameworks on which to plan and structure future work. . They also give leverage to address issues substantively and with support from all parts of the University. For more information on the Universities charter and accreditation work follow this link: Equality Charters and benchmarking 

Saturday 30 September: Take Action – Evaluate Impact

The University routinely publishes reports and data in relation to equality, diversity and inclusion. This includes statistics relating to the protected characteristics of University staff and students published as part of the public sector equality duty, our gender and other pay gap data, our EDI Strategy and EDI Annual Reports. The data and insight gathered for these reports helps drive the Universities understanding of equity, diversity and inclusion and informs future work and actions: Publications and equalities data. 

Sunday 1 October – Take Action – Evaluate National Inclusion Week

What has been the highlight of the week? Did you learn anything new from the week? What impact has National Inclusion week had on you?  Following the week we would love to hear from you!  Please share your thoughts and experiences by e-mailing: edi.unit@sussex.ac.uk

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