Celebrating Diversity

Review your employers’ policies.
Most employers give you an Employment Manual or Handbook when you start. Review this to find out what policies might be in place to protect you. Look for policies about discrimination. Find out what your company’s complaint procedure is, and pay close attention to deadlines. If there is no information about how to report or complain about discrimination, see if there is a phone number for HR (Human Resources).

Write everything down.
Detail what happened and when it occurred, including anything you said or did, and any witnesses or people that may have been involved in the decisions, policies, or incidents. As new things happen, write them down to avoid forgetting details.

Save all emails and messages.
If there are any relevant emails or messages, save and gather them in one place, at home, on a personal email account, or in another safe place not related to your work.

Report concerns or complaints about discrimination to Human Resources (HR) or your boss.
This is also known as filing an internal complaint. Report to someone at work who is in a position of authority to either stop the discriminatory behavior or change the practice that is affecting you.

Go to your union.
If you have a union, you could talk to your union rep and ask about the grievance process under your collective bargaining agreement. If that agreement covers discrimination issues, you may be able to get the problem addressed that way

Review your education provider's policies and reporting channels.
Review these to find out what policies might be in place to protect you. All educational institutions have a pastoral duty to protect their students. Look for policies about discrimination. Find out what your institution's complaint procedure is, and pay close attention to deadlines. If there is no information about how to report or complain about discrimination, contact a tutor or other member of staff.

Write everything down.
Detail what happened and when it occurred, including anything you said or did, and any witnesses or people that may have been involved in the decisions, policies, or incidents. As new things happen, write them down to avoid forgetting details.

Keep a record of correspondence.
If there are any relevant emails or messages, save and gather them in one place, at home, on a personal email account, or in another safe place.

Report concerns or complaints about discrimination to a tutor.
Report to a member of staff who is in a position of authority and has a legal pastoral duty to either stop the discriminatory behavior or change the practice that is affecting you.

You can make an informal complaint first.
Complain informally about the discrimination with the relevant organisation. You could do this by email, letter or phone. It is worth keeping a record of any conversations, meetings and correspondence regarding the issue.

Make a formal complaint.
Check the time limits for making your complaint. If there's a complaints/grievance procedure, follow the procedure. If there isn't a complaints/grievance procedure, complain in writing.

Escalate your complaint to an independent organisation.
An independent complaints procedure can provide mediation, conciliation or arbitration to resolve the issue. However, if it is the case that this step does not resolve the issue, then you can take the following step.

Consider legal action.
This could be a costly option. If you are on a low income, you may be able to get legal aid to pay for specialist legal advice to help with your case.

• Self-Education: Learn about the histories, cultures, and experiences of marginalized groups through books, articles, documentaries, and courses.
• Awareness Campaigns: Support and participate in campaigns that raise awareness about discrimination and promote equality.

• Listening: Engage in conversations with those affected by discrimination, listen to their experiences, and validate their feelings.
• Empathy: Practice empathy by trying to understand the emotional impact of discrimination on individuals and communities.

• Advocacy: your voice to support policies and initiatives that promote equality and justice. This includes writing to lawmakers, participating in protests, and joining advocacy groups.
• Policy Change: Support and push for institutional changes that address systemic discrimination, such as inclusive hiring practices and anti-discrimination policies.

• Bystander Intervention: Learn techniques to safely intervene when witnessing discriminatory behavior, such as calling out inappropriate comments or supporting the targeted individual.
• Support Networks: Build and join networks that provide support to those facing discrimination, offering resources and solidarity.

• Platform Sharing: Use your platform to amplify the voices of marginalized individuals, sharing their stories and perspectives.
• Credit and Recognition: Ensure that the contributions and achievements of marginalized people are recognized and credited appropriately.

• Self-Reflection: Regularly reflect on your own biases and behaviors, and seek feedback on how you can improve as an ally.
• Continuous Improvement: Stay committed to personal growth in your allyship journey, recognizing that it is an ongoing process.