The All Equals Charter is a unique initiative that promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion for all LGBTQ+ people. It is designed to help businesses and organisations recognise and challenge all forms of discrimination, providing practical support and guidance on how to be a truly inclusive workplace and create safe spaces. In this blog post, we will explore why businesses should join the All Equals Charter.

1. The All Equals Charter tackles the issue of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) programs being perceived as a "tick-box" exercise. Many businesses complete EDI programs as a one-off exercise, without implementing any meaningful changes in the workplace. The All Equals Charter aims to change this by working continuously with businesses year-round, providing one-to-one access to experts, resources, and peer-to-peer collaboration with other members. This approach ensures that businesses are held accountable for their commitment to EDI and that they implement changes that authentically support the needs of the diverse staff in the workplace.

2. The All Equals Charter pushes boundaries and encourages its members to think differently and dynamically about equality, diversity and inclusion. It focuses on intersectionality, ensuring that everyone can be accepted as their whole self and thrive. This approach challenges businesses to look beyond their policies and procedures and consider the social impacts on wider society. It encourages businesses to think about how they are contributing to equality and diversity as a whole. By joining the All Equals Charter, businesses can ensure that they are at the forefront of EDI practice and are making a positive impact on society.

3. The All Equals Charter is designed to create a community of businesses working towards a common goal. It promotes a collaborative approach, where members can share experiences about their EDI journey and create a peer-to-peer support network. This approach is vital for real change to happen and creates a sense of cohesion within EDI practice across the city region. The Charter is tailored to businesses' needs and can be adapted based on the size of the business and sector. This support is especially crucial for smaller businesses that may not have the internal knowledge or capacity to dedicate to EDI work.

4. The All Equals Charter has been well received by businesses that have already taken part. In feedback received from members, 100% of organisations that took part in the All Equals Charter said it improved their inclusion practices, and 86% of organisations felt more confident delivering LGBTQ+ inclusions as a result of the Charter. This feedback demonstrates that the Charter is making a significant impact on businesses, and their commitment to EDI.

5. The All Equals Charter provides businesses with a bespoke approach unique to their needs. Businesses complete a self-assessment form that is analysed by the All Equals Charter team to understand their current position. This approach ensures that businesses receive tailored support, making it easier for them to implement changes in the workplace.

6. The All Equals Charter is an excellent opportunity for businesses to demonstrate their commitment to EDI publicly. By joining the initiative, businesses are making a statement that they are actively working towards creating a more inclusive workplace. This approach not only benefits the business but also sends a positive message to their employees, customers, and the wider community.

In conclusion, the All Equals Charter is a vital initiative that businesses should consider joining. It tackles the issue of EDI programs being perceived as a "tick-box" exercise, encourages businesses to think dynamically about equality, diversity and inclusion, and creates a community of businesses working towards a common goal. The Charter is tailored to businesses' needs and provides bespoke support to ensure that changes are implemented in the workplace. By joining the All Equals Charter, businesses are making a statement that they are committed to creating a more inclusive workplace, benefiting not only the business but also their employees, customers, and the wider community.