Inclusion Consultant: David Equality Hull-Watters

What are your views on this new initiative by Deloitte?

Deloitte has announced that they will provide 26 weeks of fully paid leave for both new mothers and fathers. This decision is driven by research indicating that 87% of working parents prioritise family leave when selecting an employer, and over half of working mothers have had to reduce their hours due to their co-parent's lack of workplace flexibility.

Additionally, more than half of working parents would consider leaving their jobs for better work-life balance.

My hope is that other companies and even the government will adopt similar policies.

I’m very sceptical about awards that come out of the blue, as one did last year from Corporate Vision. No offence to them but I’m just a very suspicious person when it comes to receiving random and unexpected emails.

Again, this year, the Global Business Insight Awards 2024 have awarded me this, the Best Inclusivity Trainer 2024 (UK) and there is literally no catch, no cash expected to receive this title, as some require (in terms of paying to be featured in an article, for example), so of course I accepted it. Why not? Sounds good, looks good.

Each year, for the past 8 years, the Global Business Awards have recognised companies from all sectors who demonstrate exceptional innovation, ethical practices, and sustained growth, setting new benchmarks for success.

The Global Business Awards 2024 is merit-based, and winners are not decided by factors such as turnover or number of votes received.

Their unbiased Research and Judging Team closely analyse publicly available sources to determine the most deserving nominees.

So I have decided to embrace this opportunity to highlight my work.

Why not? Sounds good, looks good.

Chidi, in The Good Life, on death says:

Picture a wave. In the ocean. You can see it, measure it, its height, the way the sunlight refracts when it passes through. And it’s there. And you can see it, you know what it is. It’s a wave. And then it crashes in the shore and it’s gone. But the water is still there. The wave was just a different way for the water to be, for a little while. You know it’s one conception of death for Buddhists: the wave returns to the ocean, where it came from and where it’s supposed to be.

Chidi's Wave Returns to the Ocean - The Good Place Chidi (William Jackson Harper) and Eleanor (Kristen Bell) spend their last moments together in the Good Place.Episode Highlight: "Whenever You're Ready" Seas...

Shana Tova!

The Jewish New Year, known as Rosh Hashanah, is a significant holiday in Judaism that marks the beginning of the High Holy Days. It usually falls in September or October, on the first two days of the month of Tishrei in the Hebrew calendar.

Key Aspects of Rosh Hashanah:

1. Meaning: The term "Rosh Hashanah" translates to "Head of the Year." It is a time for reflection, self-examination, and the renewal of one's relationship with God.

2. Traditions:
- Shofar: One of the most recognisable customs is the blowing of the shofar (a ram's horn) during synagogue services. The sound of the shofar serves as a call to repentance and spiritual awakening.
- Prayers: Special prayers are recited, including the "Unetanneh Tokef," which emphasises themes of judgment and repentance.
- Tashlich: Many people perform a ritual called Tashlich, where they symbolically cast away their sins by throwing breadcrumbs into a body of flowing water.

3. Festive Meals: Rosh Hashanah is celebrated with festive meals that often include symbolic foods, such as:
- Apples and Honey: Eating apples dipped in honey represents the wish for a sweet new year.
- Challah: Round challah bread is typically served, symbolising the cycle of the year.

4. Repentance and Reflection: Rosh Hashanah begins a ten-day period known as the Ten Days of Repentance, culminating in Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. This is a time for introspection, resolving to improve oneself, and seeking forgiveness from others.

5. Customs: Different Jewish communities may have unique customs, including special prayers, songs, and foods that reflect their cultural heritage.

Rosh Hashanah is a time of hope, renewal, and spiritual growth, and it plays a central role in the Jewish calendar and religious life.















#5785

Where’s the quirkiest place you’ve ever spent the night?

This has to be the strangest place I’ve stayed whilst travelling for work.

I booked it, not knowing it was connected to the church, and I honestly feel like I’ll wake up surrounded by nuns, or worse priests.

Let’s hope I’m not expected to get up for morning prayers!

The place was easy enough to find but the instructions to get in were bamboozling, to say the least.

These are the instructions

Check-in location: At the property

Check-in method: Secret key location

Please go to our main car park through an entrance gate from the road by the Church.

In the car park go to the wall of the building by the gutter you will find a secure box with the keys to the accommodation. Find the name of your apartment and enter the four-digit code to open the key safe.

AFTER REMOVING THE KEYS FROM THE SAFE, YOU HAVE TO MIX THE CODES FOR YOUR SAFETY PLEASE.

The entrance to your accommodation is at the back of the building. When you are in front of the key boxes you have to go left and walk the length of the building taking three right turns past one white door and on to the next white door by the large waste bin.

Enter the building by opening the door with one of the keys from the set. Go to the first floor and after entering the corridor your accommodation will be on the left.

I got in eventually and the room, although pretty basic, is ok.

What I didn’t realise when booking is that it’s a shared bathroom 😳but for the bargain price of £55, that’s fair enough. I’ll just have to make do with lots of aftershave tomorrow 😂, to avoid running into a naked Mother Superior in the showers.

Inclusion Week was so incredibly hectic that I didn’t have time to write my Thankful Friday post, so here it is now, let’s call it Celebration Saturday instead!

I’ve talked with the NHS about Mental Health, council workers about creating an Inclusive Culture, barristers and other Chambers’ staff about Anti-bullying, Harassment and Sexual Harassment at the Bar, another NHS group about Neurodiversity at Work and Beyond, a rail operator about inclusive culture strategies including addressing micro-behaviours and language through Courageous Conversations, and thanks to Champions, I had the opportunity to speak for a second time with both TouchTunes and Fox's Burton's Companies staff.

Every session has been intensely rewarding and I’ve had the privilege of hearing some incredibly brave, candid stories from people who have experienced or are experiencing exclusion at work or the wider world, due to a response to who they unchangeably happen to be.

I’ve never felt so exhausted, yet to invigorated at the same time.

Thank you to all who came with open minds, open hearts and shared their insights and experiences so authentically, and to all who received and responded with such genuine compassion and empathy.

This is where real change happens. Every story matters.

Before sharing tasteless memes and “jokes”, please consider the reality of what happened to Justin Bieber and others when they were mere children.

Bieber consistently spoke out about inappropriate behaviour and was ignored by both the industry and the public.

Is it any wonder that he went off the rails for a time, with no tangible support or understanding of what he’d endured?

"I saw so much in the music industry at a young age that took away the happiness of being a boy. I found myself in rooms with people three times older than me, saying things that really changed me. At some point, all I needed was to be free to be myself again." — Justin Bieber reveals 💔

If you've watched clips of what Justin went through at just 16, you'd understand why he had to grow up so fast.

Bieber and other survivors have my full respect and support.

This article gives some insight into his experiences and should be read so that we can all open our eyes to what has always been right there in front of us.

https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/justin-bieber-resurfaced-footage-p-diddy-interviews-b2617911.html

Justin Bieber was failed time and again – he deserves more than an apology We all bore witness to the appalling treatment of Justin Bieber, writes Emma Clarke. Where was the outrage then? Why didn’t anyone stop it?

I don’t really like the term expert, I prefer to class myself as a specialist, and believe that’s far more accurate, since although I do know what I’m talking about, I always continue to learn and grow.

Every workshop or webinar is an opportunity to hear the invaluable insights of others, and that’s what keeps my job so interesting.

This looks like it’ll be quite an interesting and educational documentary.

I adore Sade and couldn’t love her anymore than I do right now.

News: Sade to Release First New Song in Years as Part of Transgender Awareness Compilation.

The reclusive singer-songwriter will release “Young Lion” as part of the “Transa” benefit album, arriving on Nov. 22. The project, assembled by non-profit Red Hot, is intended to support transgender awareness and spotlights both trans and non-binary artists. “Young Lion” is dedicated to Sade’s son Izaak, who identifies as a transgender man.

Together, we can finish the job for the American people. Are you with Harris/Walz?

No matter where we are, Russell seems to be right there with us. He is there as a daily reminder on Facebook and iPhone memories. I wouldn’t have it any other way, because we miss our boy so much. Grief is proof of the persistence of love.

Thankful Friday - who are you thankful for? Leave your comments below ⬇️

As some of you may already know, I usually end my week by thanking colleagues, clients and others, and this week I have so much to be thankful for.

This has been yet another extremely positive and rewarding week, talking to clients about Neurodiversity at Work and Beyond, Inclusive Recruitment, and delivering Inclusive Leadership and Psychological Safety sessions, for a wide range of organisations, across different sectors.

One of the absolute highlights was spending 3 glorious hours with Horse and their brilliant SMIA colleagues.

I’ve adored Horse since the 90s, and I did interview them many years ago (way too many), for my yet to be edited and published book, NEVER BLEND IN.

Horse is not only a multitalented musician, creative genius (IMHO), but they are also the most humble and generous, reflective, introspective and interesting person you could ever hope to meet.

I think I’m most grateful that freelancing gives me the opportunity to meet such a diverse range of people and to hear their invaluable insights and experiences.

It is so fulfilling to have found myself where I am in life, able to bring together all I’ve learned though my unusual career path to feeling valued, valid and a greater sense of purpose and belonging than I’ve ever felt.

Not only that, but I’m in a position where I can fully be my authentic self and not have to worry that this will be criticised, but rather embraced and celebrated.

Isn’t that what we should be doing for everyone at work and beyond?




Photograph: Singer, songwriter, producer, multi-instrumentalist, Horse McDonald, looking especially lovely in a beige dinner jacket, white shirt with cool spiked silvery-white hair.

If your son ever cries like this while cheering for you, just know that you’ve won at LIFE.

The more I learn about Walz and his family, the more I know he is the perfect choice for VP.

Please ignore the negative comments about this beautiful, honest and authentic moment.

If you must respond, please also be cognisant of the language used, since even well-meaning, supportive people can get terminology wrong and unintentionally post comments that can be received as ableist, when I know that was never the intention.



-inclusion

New Workshop:

Anti-Bullying and Harassment (including Sexual Harassment) at the Bar

Suitable for Chambers’ Staff, both junior and senior KC’s, Clerks and Bar students.

To learn more, read on ➡️

To discuss booking this workshop, find a convenient time by accessing my Calendly Calendar ⬇️

https://calendly.com/davidequalitywatters/book_a_call

This workshop draws on new data from the Barristers' Working Lives survey 2023 and Talk to Spot data from 2019-2023, which makes three recommendations:

The Bar should approach bullying, harassment and discrimination as a systemic issue that requires a response across the whole profession. The judiciary, clerks, chambers professionals and the Inns should work together with the Bar Council to bring about the culture shift that is needed.

The Bar Council has commissioned a review, established in Spring 2024, with a report expected by Spring 2025 to: (i) considering the impact of different types of bullying, harassment and discrimination on barristers, their staff, and clients; (ii) identifying improvements to existing reporting and other processes when these behaviours are experienced and complaints are made; and (iii) considering effective prevention and mitigating strategies.

In the meantime, the Bar Council should ensure existing resources (helplines, guidance, advice, and support) are available and are easily accessible for those who need them and, in particular, continue to promote the Talk to Spot tool that allows complaints to be logged, and logged anonymously if that is what the complainant wants to do.

Context of session:

Research data from Barristers’ Working Lives (the Bar Council’s biennial survey of the profession), as well as reports to Talk to Spot and calls to the Bar Council’s helplines, evidence a long-term problem with bullying and harassment, as well as inappropriate and undermining behaviour, which needs to be addressed.

In regular Bar Council surveys of the profession, barristers have been increasingly sharing that they have experienced or witnessed bullying, harassment, and discrimination.

In the most recent survey, 44% of respondents said they had experienced or observed this behaviour while working either in person or online.

The behaviours reported are observed across the profession and involve judges, barristers, chambers’ staff, solicitors, as well as court staff.

People who experience these behaviours include Bar students.

Behaviours witnessed in the court room have led to clients questioning if their case will be fairly considered, compromising their trust in the justice system.

In December 2023, The Bar Council stated:

“We know that bullying and harassment, inappropriate and undermining behaviours can be a consequence of power inequalities, and the legal profession is not the only sector with this challenge.

But the evidence suggests that there is a widespread problem at the Bar. We consider that this problem is both cultural and a consequence of the external pressures on professional life within an acutely under-resourced justice system. This is therefore a systemic issue for the Bar.

Nick Vineall KC, Chair of the Bar - December 2023:

It is likely to be helpful to consider different behaviours separately, as the causes and solutions may be different. For example, the incidences of rudeness and incivility reported to the Talk to Spot platform may be substantially a result of increasing pressures on everybody in the system. Court backlogs, delays and scarce resources add to the already heavy workload and can result in impatience and frustration, which can be experienced as bullying.

Discrimination and harassment, however, cannot be explained or excused by these external pressures.

To discuss booking this workshop, find a convenient time by accessing my Calendly Calendar ⬇️

https://calendly.com/davidequalitywatters/book_a_call

The telephone rang. It was a call from his mother. He answered it and his mother told him, "Mr. Belser died last night. The funeral is Wednesday."

Memories flashed through his mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days.

"Jack, did you hear me?"

"Oh, sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. It's been so long since I thought of him. I'm sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago," Jack said.

"Well, he didn't forget you. Every time I saw him he'd ask how you were doing. He'd reminisce about the many days you spent over 'his side of the fence' as he put it," Mom told him.

"I loved that old house he lived in," Jack said.

"You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr. Belser stepped in to make sure you had a man's influence in your life," she said.

"He's the one who taught me carpentry," he said. "I wouldn't be in this business if it weren't for him. He spent a lot of time teaching me things he thought were important. Mom, I'll be there for the funeral," Jack said.

As busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next flight to his hometown. Mr. Belser's funeral was small and uneventful. He had no children of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away.

The night before he had to return home, Jack and his Mom stopped by to see the old house next door one more time.

Standing in the doorway, Jack paused for a moment. It was like crossing over into another dimension, a leap through space and time. The house was exactly as he remembered.

Every step held memories. Every picture, every piece of furniture...Jack stopped suddenly...

"What'swrong, Jack?" his Mom asked.

"The box is gone," he said.

"What box?" Mom asked.

"There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk. I must have asked him a thousand times what was inside. All he'd ever tell me was 'the thing I value most,'" Jack said.

It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how Jack remembered it, except for the box. He figured someone from the Belser family had taken it.

"Now I'll never know what was so valuable to him," Jack said.

"I better get some sleep. I have an early flight home, Mom."

It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser died. Returning home from work one day Jack discovered a note in his mailbox. "Signature required on a package. No one at home. Please stop by the main post office within the next three days," the note read.

Early the next day Jack went to the post office and retrieved the package. The small box was old and looked like it had been mailed a hundred years ago. The handwriting was difficult to read, but the return address caught his attention.

"Mr. Harold Belser" it read.

Jack took the box out to his car and ripped open the package. There inside was the gold box and an envelope.

Jack's hands shook as he read the note inside.

"Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack Bennett. It's the thing I valued most in my life." A small key was taped to the letter. His heart racing, as tears filled his eyes, Jack carefully unlocked the box. There inside he found a beautiful gold pocket watch.

Running his fingers slowly over the finely etched casing, he unlatched the cover. Inside he found these words engraved: "Jack, Thanks for your time! -- Harold Belser."

"The thing he valued most was my time!"

Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his office and cleared his appointments for the next two days.*

"Why?" Janet, his assistant asked.

"I need some time to spend with the people I love and say I care for," he said. "Oh, by the way, Janet, thanks for your time!"

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away."

Think about this. You may not realize it, but it's 100 percent true.

1. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.

2. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't like you.

3. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.

4. You mean the world to someone.

5. If not for you, someone may not be living.

6. You are special and unique.

7. Have trust sooner or later you will get what you wish for or something better.

8. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good can still come from it.

9. When you think the world has turned its back on you, take a hard look: you most likely turned your back on the world and the people who love and care for you.

10. Someone that you don't even know exists loves you.

11. Always remember the compliments you received. Forget about the rude remarks.

12. Always tell someone how you feel about them; you will feel much better when they know and you'll both be happy.

13. If you have a great friend, take the time to let them know that they are great.

To everyone who read this just now....

*"Thanks for your time."* 😊

~ Author unknown ~

“It’s our life, it should be our choice.”

Join Dame Esther Rantzen’s call for an assisted dying law – add your name if you agree.

Together, we can build the biggest official record of support for assisted dying.

Dignity in Dying petition:

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=886037826888123&id=100064457423406

Add your name to Join Dame Esther and demand change >> It takes 30 seconds

I’m so exhausted with homophobic people.

It’s beyond tiresome.

My husband and I went for a quiet drink after work yesterday and there were three extremely loud drunk women sitting at the table behind us.

We were doing our best to have a quiet conversation when they started singing at the top of their voices, absolutely destroying “Islands in the Stream” - this in itself is not a problem, but Dolly Parton would’ve been horrified at how bad it was (and she’s a saint!).

We hadn’t turned to look, gave no visible reaction, and hadn’t made any comment, but out of nowhere one of them repeatedly started saying (shouting really) “oh the G**S are getting annoyed.”

After the third time, and being the only ones in their vicinity, I calmly said that this language was unnecessary and offensive.

She had the nerve to say that she wasn’t being homophobic, that I needed to lighten up.

I said if she’d said that “the black people were getting annoyed” or “the Muslim people were getting annoyed”, it would be targeting, singling out people based on their identity, and it would be offensive and uncalled for, but she couldn’t see that it was the same thing when saying that “the G**S are getting annoyed.”

I wanted a quiet drink but this drunk human, claiming not to be homophobic, did all she could to disrespect us, draw attention to us and make us feel as if we were a problem for challenging her behaviour.

She even had then nerve to say I had a serious problem with my sexuality for being offended, which is laughable.

My problem isn’t my sexuality, my problem is bigoted, brainless people who think they have the right to create drama in public spaces and ruin the evening of two complete strangers who were quietly minding their own business.

These micro-aggressions are more common than many people realise and they are exhausting. I had two choices, to speak up or be silent, and I don’t regret giving her a piece of my mind.

For too many years gay people, and LGBTQ+ people in general, have been told to silently accept this form of abuse, and tolerate being told that we are less valid than those who happen to be straight, but it’s not the 1950s anymore, it’s not even the 1980s!

Hopefully, when she sobers up she’ll reflect on her behaviour, but I won’t hold my breath.

On a positive note, I am grateful to the two members of staff who came to support us and managed to move her on, and who came back later to check that we were ok.

I’m only writing this to get it out of my system and out of my head, because this experience absolutely ruined my evening and I need to let it go.

For employers, I urge that you continue in your efforts to educate staff about the lived experiences of marginalised colleagues so that they can develop a greater awareness of how we experience the wider world and ensure that similar behaviours aren’t experienced in the workplace.

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DEI & Statistics:

Data is important, since without it we can’t prioritise initiatives or measure the impact of the work that we do.

This article with statistics from significant organisations such as McKinsey, the Harvard Business Review, Glassdoor and Deloitte, from eduMe, is a great resource for evidencing the significant benefits of DEI training alongside other initiatives.

Whilst training in isolation may change some thinking, it should be used as a starting point for significant actions in relation to cultural change/enhancement around areas including policy, practice, and procedure.

Our training gives colleagues the opportunity to collaboratively explore concepts in a confidential and safe way, so that they are better equipped to suggest personal and organisational actions which align with your DEI objectives.

https://www.edume.com/blog/workplace-diversity-statistics

17 Statistics Highlighting the Importance of Workplace Diversity and Inclusion Championing diversity and inclusion is not just important for your employees, it’s also crucial for your business. Here's what the research tells us.