TEMPLATE EMAIL - WRITE TO YOUR WORKPLACE

Dear [•],

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I hope this finds you well.

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I am writing to you in light of the current protests taking place in the US, and now globally, in response to the continued police brutality and institutionalised racism against Black people and people of colour in the US. As a [firm/company/business] with employees across all ethnic and racial backgrounds, as well as a strong ethos of promoting diversity and inclusion, I believe that now is an important time to ensure we are taking steps to help our Black and people of colour colleagues feel supported and heard. As you will sadly be aware, the UK is far from innocent, and is rife with its own issues of racism that need to be dismantled. 

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I was therefore wondering if you are aware of any initiatives the [firm/company/business] will be taking forward to support our Black and people of colour colleagues, and to educate the rest of us on how to be a good ally? If there are already initiatives in the workings, that is great and I am glad to hear that this is being taken seriously. If not, could I implore you to consider that we, as a [firm/company/business] must take steps to show our support and commitment to diversity and inclusion in the context of what is happening? If you would be open to suggestions, I could provide a list of recommendations.

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Let me know if you would like to discuss. 

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Kind regards,

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[•]

Undernote

Suggestions you could make to your workplace could include the following: 

• Issuing a statement to the public standing in solidarity and support of the Black community during these times. 

• Issuing a statement to employees, particularly addressed to Black and people of colour employees, showing support and expressing that the workplace is an open minded and tolerant environment. 

• Circulating a crib sheet to employees on how to be a good ally to Black and people of colour employees (feel free to use any of the resources provided in this document as a starting point and tailor to suit your workplace). 

• Partnering with (e.g. pro bono), and donating to, charities that focus on BAME issues.

• Hosting roundtable discussions (these will likely need to be virtual during the COVID-19 outbreak) to provide a forum for Black and people of colour voices in the workplace to be heard and share experiences. 

• Setting up a BAME network within the workplace.

• Match any donations made by employees and staff to charities and/or organisations tackling racial injustices