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.
Provide an anonymous reporting route
Employees (particular those who are from underrepresented groups) do not want to speak up and report incidents. For example people from ethnic minority backgrounds are less likely to openly report incidents of bullying, discrimination and harassment at work, usually due to not wanting confrontation or hassle.
Providing an anonymous reporting route enable all individuals to report concerns, misconduct, or wrongdoing without fear of retaliation or exposure. When individuals can report concerns anonymously, they are more likely to come forward, knowing that their identity will remain protected.
Anonymous Reporting can help empower individuals, but it can also help organisations. For example, by offering anonymous reporting options, firms/organisations signal their commitment to transparency and accountability, which can help deter such behavior in the first place. It also allows firms/organisation to detect potential issues at an early stage, before they escalate into more significant problems.
There are a number of third party/independent platforms that can be used that can give individuals assurance that the reporting system provides guarantees anonymity. It is also important that the reporting system is accessible this can include setting up dedicated hotlines, email addresses, or web portals.
Read the full “How to be an Ally” series here.
