Being an ally by recognising your privileged position and then supporting and including underrepresented groups creates a more inclusive workplace.
ICAEW’s one-day diversity and inclusion workshop examined what it means to be an ally at work.
“It’s even more important for young ethnic minorities and people from low socio-economic backgrounds to have people around you who have had similar experiences, it makes a massive difference, says Vincent Egunlae, audit associate. “It would have been impossible for me to pass my accounting exams without a strong core network of friends that I had in my company.”
Allyship at work reduces stress, improves well-being, and it makes people want to work for your organisation. Being a good ally means thinking more about the things you are saying and the way you are saying them, and listening better to what people are saying, according to Krita Shah, Financial Services Assurance Associate.
As she says, “You don’t always have to solve their problems, but you do have to be there to listen.”