An ally is someone who is not a member of an underrepresented group but who takes action to support that group to help make their workplace more diverse and inclusive for all.
For workplaces to become truly inclusive it is up to people who hold positions of privilege to be active allies and to take responsibility for making changes that will help others be successful.
Allies at all levels can take action with simple, everyday efforts that make a real difference and in this series, we highlight some things that you can do to be an ally and to support your colleagues from underrepresented groups.
#21: Sign up to External Mentoring Schemes
Mentoring comes in many forms and different mentoring schemes will have different requirements. Many D&I organisations offer mentoring schemes for members. If your firm signs up as a corporate member to a network or organisation that has a mentoring scheme – make sure that you are publicising this within your firm and encouraging your staff to sign up as both mentors and mentees.
Providing your employees with access to mentoring schemes as well as encouraging your employees to sign up to these schemes and showing support for these schemes is a great way to be an ally.
Additionally, signing up to be a mentor can be a great way for individuals to be an ally and “give back”.
Read the full “How to be an Ally” series here.
