DCU Launches Race Equality Guide for Hiring
19th March 2021
In early 2020, the DCU Centre of Excellence for Diversity and Inclusion developed a Race Equality Hub. The Hub was created in collaboration with the African Scholars Association of Ireland (AfSI) and supported by Ibec, Business in the Community Ireland (BITC) and the Irish Centre for Diversity. It is sponsored by Bank of Ireland.
This week, the DCU Centre launched a new guide to support employers in Ireland to examine the approach they are taking to enhancing race equality in the workplace. The Race Equality Guide for Hiring, sponsored by Bank of Ireland, provides guidance, tips and insights on how employers can take action now in terms of removing the systemic bias that may exist in processes, practices and attitudes.
The guide is informed by insights from a series of Race Equality Forums which DCU held over the past year. Participants in the Forums were from different under-represented groups and from experts in workplace equality who shared real-life experiences of barriers to equality in the workplace in Ireland. They developed practical solutions to tackling workplace discrimination and lead to the formation of the DCU Race Advisory Council (RAC).
Speaking at the launch of The Race Equality Guide for Hiring, Sandra Healy, Director of the DCU Centre of Excellence for Diversity and Inclusion said, “Ireland has become an increasingly diverse and multicultural society with over 18% of people from migrant descent.
Diversity sparks innovation, and migrants bring a richness in terms of new perspectives, values and ideas – all of which are in high demand by so many employers.
However research reveals many challenges and barriers in terms of how fairly migrants are being treated through hiring processes and in the labour market.
“There is a need for employers to examine the approach they are taking to enhancing race equality and to take action now in terms of removing the systemic bias that may exist in processes, practices and attitudes in the workplace. Removing these barriers will lead to a stronger, more diverse and ultimately more reflective workforce and society.
“This guide looks specifically at the hiring process and has been crafted and informed by lived experiences of people in the workplace in Ireland. Our approach has been supported by insights from the participants of our DCU Race Equality Forums, specialist organisations, academic experts and employers. The content is intended to be practical and actionable, providing guidance on the measures required to provide a fair and equal process for all candidates.”
Bank of Ireland aims to use the guide to support their own endeavours to build a more diverse and inclusive workplace that supports colleagues and represents the customers and communities that they serve. Matt Elliott, Chief People Officer at Bank of Ireland said: “We want all of our people to reach their potential, and feel valued in an environment that supports diversity and inclusion.”
The DCU Race Equality Guide for Hiring is the first in a series of race equality resources that are being developed to support workplaces in Ireland to become more equitable. It is available to download at the DCU Centre of Excellence for Diversity and Inclusion website here.
