REC adopts the Race at Work Charter and calls on recruitment industry to strengthen commitment to race equality

The REC has signed up to the Race at Work Charter, strengthening its commitment to improve opportunities for black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) members of staff.

The Charter, an initiative of Business in the Community (BITC), provides a framework for employers to take practical steps that tackle barriers faced by BAME colleagues in the workplace. In doing so, the REC commits to promoting equality within the organisation and will:

• Appoint an Executive Sponsor for race to oversee progress. This role will be undertaken by Neil Carberry, the CEO, ensuring that race equality is fully embedded across the organisation
• Capture and publicise data about workplace equality
• Commit at board-level to zero tolerance of harassment and bullying
• Make equality in the workplace the responsibility of all leaders and managers
• Support the career progression of BAME staff members.

Neil Carberry, CEO at the REC, said:

“As an organisation that champions equal opportunities in work right across the UK, the REC has to make sure it does the right thing in its own team. Addressing any barriers to black and minority ethnic colleagues achieving their potential is a big part of that. We are proud to sign up to the Race at Work Charter, which triggers new challenges to inequalities that BAME staff may face. Equal opportunity and fairness are not nice-to-haves for better times - they are essential to business and economic success. The focus on the pandemic should enhance our efforts, not detract from these aims.

“As the recruitment and staffing industry we play an important role in creating life changing opportunities for people. We have a duty to make sure that we do everything to create the right environment for all employees to thrive in their careers. We want more employers to sign up, including our fantastic REC members, who already lead by example when it comes to good practice. Increasing equality in the workplace will improve performance and is the right thing to do.” 

Notes to editors

1.     Find out more about the Race at Work Charter here.

2.     The Charter builds on the work of the 2017 McGregor-Smith Review, ‘Race in the workplace’ which found that people from BAME backgrounds were still underemployed, underpromoted and under-represented at senior levels. So far more than 200 public, private and charitable organisations have signed up to the charter.