Are Diversity and Inclusion roles important?
From the age of fifteen, I have had my fair share of jobs, from starting out as a dishwasher, encouraged by my mum to earn my own pocket money, to working abroad and taking on freelance work back home in New Zealand.
Now, I have the honour of getting to work for The Culture Ministry with Lisa Mulligan, where my focus is primarily on all thing's social media and now, a helping hand with these Newsletters each week (stay tuned for more).
In all that time and all my work, it wasn’t until just this year I was made aware of Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) roles.
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Since being involved with TCM, I have been able to tune into everyone's stories from the A Dog Called Diversity podcast, opening my eyes to the journeys of those who are challenging traditional perspectives on diversity and inclusion, balancing a successful career with Parkinson’s and even championing size inclusivity in fashion.
For most of my work, I was in small companies, so there was often a lack of focus on D&I in the workplace, and because of that, I had found at times that myself and sometimes others around me were not receiving the proper amount of respect and fairness they deserved.
Notably, when working overseas, being away from my friends and family and all I know, company culture had a significant impact on my daily life. At a time when I was still trying to find my way and find myself, it was important that I felt respected at my place of work, and unfortunately, that was not always the case.
I believe D&I roles are important because they contribute to a fairer, more innovative, and more successful organisation. They help address inequalities, improve workplace culture, and contribute to positive social change.
These roles are vital for creating a more inclusive world for all individuals, regardless of their background or identity.
I am so grateful to be now working for a business that is helping to support the D&I community and embrace our differences. I look forward to continuing to embrace diversity and inclusion both in the workplace and in everyday life.