National Inclusion Week 2022 – The Power of Allyship

The Council is celebrating National Inclusion week, which runs until Sunday.

Each year seven days are dedicated to celebrating inclusion and taking action to create inclusive workplaces. Founded by Inclusive Employers, National Inclusion Week is now in its tenth year.

This year’s theme is ‘Time to Act: The Power is Now’.

The aim for the Council is to inspire a focus on actions and help make this an inclusive place to work. We want to work together to seize #ThePowerOfNow to overcome challenges and build a more inclusive culture in the workplace and beyond.

Throughout the week, a different article relating to National Inclusion Week will be shared on Staffnet each day.

Today’s is about the Power of Allyship

The Power of Allyship – be an active ally

Being an ally every day is important, in both your personal life and in the workplace. Regardless of what position you hold in your organisation, you can be an active inclusion ally for those around you. By better understanding the struggle and oppression that others face, you can learn and change. By supporting people in the workplace through allyship, you can work towards creating a safer space for everyone. This Daily Action will give you information on the types of allyship and practical guidance on how you can be an ally for those around you, starting right now.

Vale of Glamorgan LGBTQ+ Ally Programme

Launched at GLAM’s Uni-Tea event in August this year, the Ally Programme aims to bring together colleagues across the Council who want to outwardly declare that they are an Ally. For more details, please email Elyn Hannah.

Wellbeing and mental health

The Council has taken strides in being a conscious employer and ally to staff. The health and wellbeing page on Staffnet was launched in November 2020 to provide guidance and advise on emotional health, mental health, and physical health, as well as activities and tips to help with wellbeing. The Council has a number of Wellbeing Champions across the organisation who can listen or help direct staff to more support.

The Care First telephone counselling service is available to all employees 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They provide support and guidance on all manner of issues and concerns related to your work life, such as stress, bullying, or time management; as well as your personal life including finances, family problems, or relationship breakdowns – regardless of your sexual orientation or gender identity.

You can call Care First on 0800 174 319 or visit the Care First webpage.  

Please also visit the Health and Wellbeing page for more contacts, organisations and support.

Make your pledge

Inclusion is not just something to focus on for one day or one week, it is a something that needs long term commitment and action.

Today is a good opportunity to reflect on National Inclusion Week and commit to action for the future. What do we want to improve over the next 12 months both individually and as an organisation? What have you learnt over the last week? What have you found most valuable? What do you know you or your organisation could be doing better? It is Time to act. Make a pledge to show how you and the Council will continue to make progress towards inclusion over the next year.

We pledge to be committed to inclusion

The Council is committed to eliminating discrimination and encouraging diversity amongst our workforce. Our aim is that our workforce will be truly representative of all sections of society and that each employee feels respected and able to give their best.

We want to promote equality and fairness for all in our employment and will not discriminate because of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation (LGBTQ+). We oppose all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination. All employees whether part-time, full time or temporary will be treated fairly and with respect. Selection for employment, promotion, training and any other benefit will be on the basis of aptitude and ability.

We are committed to change how we think and act about mental health in the workplace and make sure that employees who are facing these problems feel supported. We have previously signed the Time to Change employer pledge. We are a Stonewall Diversity Champion and a Disability Confident organisation.

We are committed to promoting an inclusive culture for all staff.

We pledge to establishing a disabled staff network.

This year we will look to work with disabled members of staff as well as the GLAM network and Diverse network to establish a disabled staff network.

If you would like to be involved, please get in touch with the Equalities team.