Business in the Community (BITC) is pleased to announce that Marston’s has joined over 900 employers in signing up to the Race at Work Charter, an initiative designed for businesses to collectively commit to improving equal opportunities for Black, Asian, Mixed Race and ethnically diverse employees in the UK.
The Race at Work Charter builds on the findings from BITC’s 2021 Race at Work Survey, which found that while 76% of employers said that race recruitment and progression was a priority, only 46% had set targets to improve the racial diversity of their boards.
The survey also found that whilst 99 percent of employers have a zero-tolerance policy on racial harassment and bullying, Black, Asian, Mixed Race and ethnically diverse employees are twice as likely than White employees to have experienced or witnessed racist harassment from managers, customers, clients, and colleagues.
The Race at Work Charter calls on businesses to:
- Appoint an Executive Sponsor for race
Capture data and publicising progress
- Ensure zero tolerance of harassment and bullying
Make equality in the workplace the responsibility of all leaders and managers
- Take action that supports ethnic minority career progression
Support race inclusion allies in the workplace
- Include Black, Asian, Mixed Race and other ethnically diverse-led enterprise owners in supply chains
Launched in 2018, the Race at Work Charter builds on the work of the 2017 McGregor-Smith Review, which found that people from Black, Asian, Mixed Race and ethnically diverse backgrounds are still underemployed, underpromoted and under-represented at senior levels.
Sandra Kerr CBE, Race Director at Business in the Community, said: “We would like to thank Marston’s for publicly committing to be an inclusive and responsible employer. By signing up to the charter, they are joining over 800 businesses who are working together so that the UK can have one of the most inclusive workplaces in the world. By taking collective action, we can break down workplace barriers, raise the aspirations and achievements of talented individuals regardless of their ethnicity and deliver an enormous boost to the long-term economic position of the UK.”
Hayleigh Lupino, Marston’s Chief Finance Officer and lead on the Marston’s Inclusion Taskforce, said:
“Marston’s is delighted to sign the race at work charter, this means taking practical steps to provide equality of opportunity for all, regardless of race and ethnicity and is tackling barriers that people face in recruitment and progression and that we are representative of our communities, guests, team members, and stakeholders. We will benefit from the wealth of diverse talent on offer and ensure people have a great experience and feel included.
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Notes to editor
In collaboration with YouGov, the Race at Work 2021 surveyed more than 24,600 employees found there has been no improvement on bullying and harassment in the workplace or with customers, clients and service users.
After the first Race at Work survey in 2015, Business in the Community launched the Race at Work Charter. To date, the Charter has more than 800 signatories, representing 6 million employees across the UK. By signing the Charter, organisations have committed to improving equality of opportunity in the workplace. The Charter calls for employers to review their policies and for the government to consider strengthened protections against racial harassment for employees through the Employment Bill. The current Race at Work Charter signatories can be viewed online.
About Business in the Community
Business in the community is the oldest and largest business-led membership organisation dedicated to responsible business. We were created nearly 40 years ago by HRH The Prince of Wales to champion responsible business. We inspire, engage and challenge members and we mobilise that collective strength as a force for good in society to:
- Develop a skilled and inclusive workforce for today and tomorrow;
- Build thriving communities where people want to live and work;
- Innovate to sustain and repair our planet.
- Marston’s
- Marston’s is a leading pub operator
- Marston’s runs an estate of 1,482 pubs situated nationally, comprising managed, franchised and leased pubs
- The company employs around 12,000 people
- Marston’s PLC has a 40% holding in Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company
Press release from Marston’s Press Office.
For further information, please contact Aoife Butler Nolan, Head of Media, Public Affairs and Policy on 07702 903 216 or Aoife.butler-nolan@bitc.org.uk.