Q2b. What does the Civil Service do in terms of diversity and inclusion?
UK Civil Service Insights: Reader Questions
The title is adapted from a submission from the anonymous form - the first part was answered last week in this newsletter.
Please have a read of the Civil Service Diversity & Inclusion Strategy for the ‘official’ response to the question, as well as Diversity in the Civil Service for a report on recent statistics.
Original question: Other topics that would be great are around diversity and inclusion, and living from your values.
Before I joined the Civil Service, I’d never been part of a staff network and I had no idea what a corporate contribution was. Outside of super supportive line managers that live our D&I values (e.g. Flexible Working In Practice details my experience as a carer), the next biggest impact has been colleagues doing wonderful things via staff networks.
Staff networks
Staff networks exist in relation to all sorts of topics: from faith groups and gender equality, to languages (I’m sure I’ve seen a Spanish group!) and diet/lifestyle (I was briefly part of a vegan staff network that also focused on wider sustainability issues). Staff networks can be departmental, via professions, and/or cross-government.
As a black Christian woman in finance from a lower socioeconomic background that is also a carer, I find myself at the intersection of a lot of things!
There’s a staff network for each of these identities. Whilst I’d love to engage fully with all of the groups, work commitments mean that I usually can’t. However, it’s wonderful to have have had the option to do the following whilst at work:
Be in a space with people that have shared experiences… and that’s relaxed enough to code-switch (Cross Government Black Women’s Working Group)
Join a prayer group (Cabinet Office Christian Network)
Be inspired by women in finance who are transparent about the challenges they’ve faced in their career journeys (Government Finance Function Women in Finance Network)
Be mentored by colleagues that are keen to support those from a lower socioeconomic background (x2 of my mentors have been from departmental and cross-government Social Mobility networks)
Get practical advice from other carers that have been, or are currently in my shoes (Civil Service Carers Network)
As a manager, I’ve also appreciated being informed about areas that I don’t have any experience in.
For example, the Government Finance Function Neurodiversity network have done an excellent job of articulating the challenges that neurodiverse colleagues face and how line managers and colleagues can be more supportive. As a neurotypical person, it was really insightful and very eye opening! Likewise, my departmental Parental Leave network recently did an amazing job of explaining how best to support those that will be going on parental leave which is also something that I haven’t experienced firsthand, but I now feel better informed.
Corporate contributions
Corporate contributions are voluntary roles which give you the opportunity to support the department’s culture. They can take many forms, including but not limited to, staff networks.
I’ve personally gained a lot from my corporate contributions, but the most rewarding aspect has been what I’ve been able to give back.
After you accept your Civil Service job offer, it’s worth thinking about how you can use a corporate objective to make a positive difference in the D&I space.
What are you passionate about or an expert in (whether it’s expertise by training or experience)?
Firsthand experience is so impactful and whilst I’ve never joined sessions from groups such as the menopause, baby loss, and grief networks - I’m so glad they’re available!
Does a network exist? If not, would it beneficial to start one?
There are networks on a range of things so it’s likely you’ll meet likeminded people straightaway. If there isn’t a network then it’ll be a great opportunity to meet a need. Wellbeing is so important; since you spend so much time at work, it’s really helpful if you enjoy it.
What is your current capacity?
Any support you can give is likely to be accepted! As these are voluntary roles, your job will always be the priority so don’t feel like you have to over-commit.
I’m always interested in answering questions, ask away!
Submit a question/topic for future newsletters → https://forms.office.com/r/brqp18VaCL
Take a moment to browse the available jobs and set up job alerts for your ideal role.
For all Civil Service jobs →https://www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/csr/index.cgi
For finance Civil Service jobs → https://financecareers.civilservice.gov.uk
Courtesy of Memory Lane
I founded the GFF AA-SEO Race Network at the end of 2022. I co-chaired from the start before handing over to other colleagues after 2 years.
Some of our sessions were open to all colleagues regardless of ethnic background and others were ‘safe space’ sessions for colleagues from ethnic minorities only.
