Welsh employees urged to take part in the UK’s largest ever race at work survey

Employees from across Wales are today being urged to take part in the UK’s largest ever survey of race at work. Commissioned by Business in the Community, the Prince’s Responsible Business Network, the Race at Work survey (www.raceatwork.org.uk) has already received responses, but only 4%* were from Wales, making it particularly important that employees in Cardiff take part.

In the UK today, ethnic minorities are under-represented at every level of work. Only 8.8% of ethnic minorities work as managers, directors or senior officials, compared to 10.7% of white employees. Ethnic minorities also have far greater ambition to progress at work compared to white peers, but are less satisfied with their experiences of management and progression**.

The Race at Work survey aims to gain better understanding of the issues around this under-representation by asking both white and BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) employees (aged 16 and over) to share their personal experiences across areas including recruitment, progression and engagement. This will inform recommendations to employers who are committed to fair and equal workplaces that reflect the communities and customers they serve.

Sandra Kerr OBE, Race Equality Director, Business in the Community, said: “As a city where 15% of the resident population*** and 14,534 primary and secondary pupils**** are from an ethnic minority background, it is particularly important that the people of Cardiff have their say about race at work.

“The reality is that the future workforce of the area will reflect the diversity of its population. Evidence gathered to date shows that underlying cultures and processes may contribute to ethnic minorities not being treated equally in work. We want to hear the reality of race at work for today’s employees in Cardiff. That’s why we’re calling on everyone who’s currently in work in Cardiff to go online to www.raceatwork.org.uk and be part of this change.”

The Race at Work survey is being undertaken in partnership with YouGov. It is open for responses until Wednesday 2 May 2018 at www.raceatwork.org.uk and the findings will be shared in June 2018.