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A local charity is encouraging Jersey businesses to get involved with its diversity and inclusion accreditation scheme to help "build an inclusive society”.
DIFERA – an acronym for diversity, inclusion, fairness, equality, respect and acceptance – is an employer accreditation scheme hosted by equality charity Liberate Jersey.
It indicates which businesses the charity thinks are “demonstrating an ongoing commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion”.
Kaye Nicholson, CEO of Liberate Jersey, is inviting local businesses to sign up to the scheme and support the charity’s mission to empower islanders to “be themselves and feel a sense of belonging and safety”.
Under the accreditation process, Liberate Jersey performs an audit of an organisation’s diversity. Employees of participating businesses are sent a survey where they anonymously share their personal characteristics and experience in the workplace.
With the data collected, Ms Nicholson explained that Liberate Jersey identifies an organisation’s “strengths and areas of improvement” before helping to establish an employee champion group who will create and employ a diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) strategy.
She said: “I think every organisation I've come across has goals and core values that align with diversity, equity and inclusion, so the data from the survey is really important because it feeds into their bespoke DEI strategy.
“If you don't know what your employees’ experiences and demographics are, or the barriers they might face as a result of those characteristics, you can't structure your DEI strategy effectively.”
Ms Nicholson explained that a visible and demonstrable commitment to diversity and inclusion is important to a business’ success, both internally and externally.
She said: “We know that DEI is a very big consideration for people looking for jobs, so an independent third party confirming you have effective DEI structures in place and are an inclusive employer is valuable.
"There’s plenty of data showing the positive impact prioritising DEI has on your financial performance as a business. It brings varying perspectives together, leading to greater innovation and collaboration. It increases trust, confidence, communication, understanding and awareness between colleagues.”
She added: “Staff members deserve to work in an environment where they feel safe, supported and able to bring their whole self to work.”
Pictured: “Every organisation I've come across has goals and core values that align with diversity, equity and inclusion.”
Ms Nicholson and the Liberate Jersey team say they hope to establish long-term partnerships with local businesses, so have structured the DIFERA accreditation scheme to be adaptable and “bespoke”.
The CEO explained: “DEI itself is a constantly evolving landscape - it does not stay still. We are always learning new things, and DIFERA keeps people and businesses up to date with this changing landscape, for the benefit of everybody.
“For inclusion to be valuable, it needs to be embedded in day-to-day practices, policies and the culture.
“DIFERA is a really valuable way of almost litmus testing your culture, then empowering employees to drive the changes that they want to see.”
For more about the DIFERA accreditation scheme, click HERE.
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