Thank you for committing to make positive change.

Start today. Small and Simple Steps

There are some small and simple steps you can take today, that can help to create an environment of belonging and inclusion. Start the conversation and encourage others to do so too.

Inclusivity

Use inclusive nonbinary language, this could look like:

• Inclusive nonbinary language in meetings, communications and messaging with simple changes such as not using the term 'ladies and gentlemen' to welcome everyone, and use the term ‘colleagues’ or just welcome ‘everyone'. Or using gender-neutral language such as synthetic rather than manmade.
• Ask and use people’s pronouns. If you misgender a person apologise, correct yourself and move on.
• Use of pronouns on email signatures, virtual meeting names, LinkedIn and when introducing yourself in meetings
• Activating subtitles on virtual meetings – providing inclusiveness for people who are deaf or have a hearing impairment
• Extend more flexible working options to everyone
• Start the conversation and encourage others to do so too

Physical wellbeing

Ensuring everyone’s physical wellbeing is catered for, this could look like:

• Review of facilities in workplaces to ensure everyone’s needs are met with inclusive facilities, this could be as simple as replacing lighting or converting gents or ladies toilets to gender-neutral by changing the door signs and communicating the change
• This could also include removing non-essential items from job descriptions, such as the need for a driving licence.
• Ask your staff and colleagues what they need
• Start the conversation and encourage others to do so too

Review Policies

Rereading policies and procedures with a new EDI lens, this could look like:

• Review gendered language in job descriptions. 
• Remove non-essential requirements from job descriptions, such as the need for a driving licence
• Review HR Handbooks and replace with gender neutral language and ensure policies are inclusive eg dress code
• Start the conversation and encourage others to do so too

Being open to change

Education, listening and becoming open to change:

• Whether reading articles, books, listening to podcasts or TV programmes to gain a better understanding of different lived experiences.
• Listen – what are your employees/colleagues telling you and understand what can be changed.
• Get comfortable with feeling uncomfortable – you may feel uncomfortable with what you hear, or worse, feel upset or shocked but change needs to happen.
• Start the conversation and encourage others to do so too

Making the automotive sector more diverse is a marathon, not a sprint. Each step forward is a positive one. So why not share the commitment you’ve made today with your social and professional networks to see if anyone else would like to join you.

Other ways to get involved…

Don’t forget, signing your pledge is just the start. There are so many other ways to get involved to help shape the future of our sector. Find out more here.

Are you leading EDI within your organisation? Consider joining our Automotive Diversity Network and see if you can make an impact by sharing best practice and learning from others. To find out more and to register interest in joining the Automotive Diversity Network, contact the IMI Diversity Task Force at imidiversitytaskforce@theimi.org.uk