Managing Authentic Workplaces: D&I Workshop
How to improve productivity and retention by creating psychologically safe workplaces for all employees
Time: 09:30 - 13:00
Cost: £275 + VAT per attendee
- Tuesday, 23rd January 2024
(If you can't attend the live event, we can send a link post event to watch the recording. Cost: £225 +VAT - please contact registrations@bfi.co.uk)
There’s a lot of hot air being expended on the idea of workplace belonging and authenticity, but what does it actually mean?
Too often, organisations box-tick characteristics in a misguided attempt to demonstrate diversity, when what really matters is building a workplace that values diversity of experience, thoughts, habits and skills.
A recent Google research project discovered that psychological safety, created in an authentic workplace, determines why certain teams outperform others.
A sense of respect, acceptance and trust is vital for high levels of performance:
- 140% increase in employee engagement
- 50% increase in team performance
- 90% increase in team innovation
This unique workshop, featuring the lived experience of three recognised diversity and inclusion innovators, will guide attendees through the nuts and bolts of creating an authentic workplace.
Limited numbers will ensure a confidential and engaged workshop, giving delegates the chance to understand and strategise workable and successful plan to give their organisations a roadmap to attracting top talent and creating productive, happy teams.
About us: Since our first Diversity event in 2006, BFI has been helping organisations stay up to date with addressing Diversity and Inclusion needs by offering the latest developments, policy and legal updates, as well as case studies from top employers.
Past delegates said:
"Brilliant session, such enthusiasm is infectious"
"Informative, energetic and engaging - what an incredible line-up of speakers"
"Great mix of practical advice, group discussion, insight and information"
Please note: If you have a topic to suggest or might like to speak at, endorse, or sponsor the event, please see how to get involved here
Which functions will benefit from attending
- HR, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION, OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH, RECRUITMENT & RESOURCING, POLICY & STRATEGY, OPERATIONS, LEGAL, TALENT, EQUALITY, POLICY, ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, EMPLOYER BRANDING, ENGAGEMENT, EMPLOYEE RELATIONS, PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT, LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT, IMPROVEMENT AND QUALITY AND ALL DIRECTORS AND LINE MANAGERS WITH RESPONSIBILITIES IN THIS AREA.
Hear from
Schedule
Welcome and opening remarks
Elizabeth Smith
Director of Research , Business Forums International Ltd. (BFI)
Elizabeth is director of research and a founding co-director at Business Forums International. She is responsible for all programme content and writing, and researches current areas of interest for senior HR professionals in large organisations. BFI is the UK’s leading HR risk specialist conference and training provider, delivering key and timely information to over 3,000 delegates a year both through public and in-house training courses. Before founding BFI in 1996, Elizabeth specialised in researching corporate financial programmes in Asia and the Middle East, based in Dubai. She also worked in advertising and publishing in the Middle East and London. Elizabeth was educated in the West Indies, Saudi Arabia and Belgium before reading Modern Languages at Durham University. She is currently developing an online training course for line managers to raise awareness of menopause symptoms and ways that employers can work to make their workplaces more inclusive.
Interactive workshop session
Fudia Smartt
Partner – Employment Law , Spencer West LLP
Fudia Smartt is a Partner at Spencer West LLP. She joined the firm in September 2019, having previously been Partner at a boutique employment practice in Chancery Lane. Her previous work experience includes practising in highly regarded employment teams at both Russell Cooke LLP (a top 100 London firm) and City firm Fox Williams LLP. Covering every stage of the employment life cycle, Fudia advises on non-contentious and contentious matters for both employers and employees on topics such as bullying, harassment (including sexual harassment), unfair and wrongful dismissal, restrictive covenants, discrimination, whistleblowing, maternity and other family-friendly matters. She has experience across a wide range of sectors, with particular expertise in technology, media, financial services and professional services. Fudia has significant experience in the following: Advising on day to day HR operational issues, which includes on how to avoid grievances and disciplinary/dismissal issues; Senior executive appointments and departures (which often include regulatory issues); Bringing and defending complex discrimination and whistleblowing claims in the employment tribunals; Advising employers and employees (as well as partners) on the enforceability of restrictive covenants and confidentiality agreements, including in relation to team moves; Drafting contracts of employment, service agreements and HR policies; Advising companies on restructuring exercises, redundancies (including collective redundancies) and employment issues arising from insolvency; Advising on TUPE-related matters including in relation to outsourcing and property transactions; Advising both employers and employees on data protection issues; Advising business start-ups in a wide range of industries on how to protect and grow their businesses at a reasonable cost; Providing HR advice and tailored training to clients and external bodies on all employment law matters, from recruitment to dismissal and beyond; Advising members on joining LLPs; and Drafting, negotiating and advising on settlement agreements. She has acted on a number of high profile (and commercially sensitive) matters which has resulted in six-figure settlements for her clients. She has also acted on matters in the County Court, High Courts, Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) and Court of Appeal. Fudia is praised by her clients for her creative problem-solving skills and her ability to provide commercial, tailored legal advice in a friendly and empathetic manner. She has a high emotional intelligence which she uses to assist with getting the results her clients want. Fudia is a member of the Employment Lawyers Association.
Nelson Derry
Global Head of Diversity, Equality & Inclusion , Aesop
Nelson is an organisational Culture and Inclusion leader with significant experience in driving transformations that unlock the potential in teams and organisations through building high performing and inclusive cultures, behaviours, mindsets and habits. An award winning executive he has been recognised by the Financial Times and EMPower as one of the Top 30 Future Leaders in the U.K. for contributions to workplace inclusion and talent management. Nelson is the author of ‘Rise of the 2020 Leader - Entering a new era of Trust, Purpose and Inclusion’. The book was ranked in the Top 50 Business Management and Leadership books category on Amazon. He is also a regular speaker and story teller at corporate and leadership events as well as industry conferences on the topics of high performing teams, organisational culture, leadership and Diversity & Inclusion. Nelson was invited to be a judge at the U.K. Employee Experience Awards for the ‘Most Innovative Employee Engagement Initiative’ category. He also judged the ‘Global HR Leader of the Year’ award at the Leadership Excellence Awards hosted by GDS.
Nahida Ahmed
Director of People & Inclusion , The Trussell Trust
Nahida is the director of people and inclusion at Trussell Trust, UKs largest foodbank charity and responsible for all aspects of HR for Trussell Trust, and HR support for the foodbanks. Prior to that, Nahida was a civil servant for 14 years, starting as a driving examiner, progressing to operational management and then talent and capability business partner whilst leading the Agency’s Race Network before progressing to another government department as a senior equality, diversity & inclusion consultant leading on race, religion or belief and the learning portfolio.
How does an authentic workplace differ from a traditionally diverse one? Finding and developing your workforce’s unique and individual talents
Feedback and sharing session
Understanding and implementing a legal framework: Policy essentials
Fudia Smartt
Partner – Employment Law , Spencer West LLP
Fudia Smartt is a Partner at Spencer West LLP. She joined the firm in September 2019, having previously been Partner at a boutique employment practice in Chancery Lane. Her previous work experience includes practising in highly regarded employment teams at both Russell Cooke LLP (a top 100 London firm) and City firm Fox Williams LLP. Covering every stage of the employment life cycle, Fudia advises on non-contentious and contentious matters for both employers and employees on topics such as bullying, harassment (including sexual harassment), unfair and wrongful dismissal, restrictive covenants, discrimination, whistleblowing, maternity and other family-friendly matters. She has experience across a wide range of sectors, with particular expertise in technology, media, financial services and professional services. Fudia has significant experience in the following: Advising on day to day HR operational issues, which includes on how to avoid grievances and disciplinary/dismissal issues; Senior executive appointments and departures (which often include regulatory issues); Bringing and defending complex discrimination and whistleblowing claims in the employment tribunals; Advising employers and employees (as well as partners) on the enforceability of restrictive covenants and confidentiality agreements, including in relation to team moves; Drafting contracts of employment, service agreements and HR policies; Advising companies on restructuring exercises, redundancies (including collective redundancies) and employment issues arising from insolvency; Advising on TUPE-related matters including in relation to outsourcing and property transactions; Advising both employers and employees on data protection issues; Advising business start-ups in a wide range of industries on how to protect and grow their businesses at a reasonable cost; Providing HR advice and tailored training to clients and external bodies on all employment law matters, from recruitment to dismissal and beyond; Advising members on joining LLPs; and Drafting, negotiating and advising on settlement agreements. She has acted on a number of high profile (and commercially sensitive) matters which has resulted in six-figure settlements for her clients. She has also acted on matters in the County Court, High Courts, Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) and Court of Appeal. Fudia is praised by her clients for her creative problem-solving skills and her ability to provide commercial, tailored legal advice in a friendly and empathetic manner. She has a high emotional intelligence which she uses to assist with getting the results her clients want. Fudia is a member of the Employment Lawyers Association.
- Essential policy content and communication
- Promoting transparency: hiring, promoting, supply chain checklist
- What action you need to take: when, what and how
Comfort break
Quantifying and communicating the business case
Fudia Smartt
Partner – Employment Law , Spencer West LLP
Fudia Smartt is a Partner at Spencer West LLP. She joined the firm in September 2019, having previously been Partner at a boutique employment practice in Chancery Lane. Her previous work experience includes practising in highly regarded employment teams at both Russell Cooke LLP (a top 100 London firm) and City firm Fox Williams LLP. Covering every stage of the employment life cycle, Fudia advises on non-contentious and contentious matters for both employers and employees on topics such as bullying, harassment (including sexual harassment), unfair and wrongful dismissal, restrictive covenants, discrimination, whistleblowing, maternity and other family-friendly matters. She has experience across a wide range of sectors, with particular expertise in technology, media, financial services and professional services. Fudia has significant experience in the following: Advising on day to day HR operational issues, which includes on how to avoid grievances and disciplinary/dismissal issues; Senior executive appointments and departures (which often include regulatory issues); Bringing and defending complex discrimination and whistleblowing claims in the employment tribunals; Advising employers and employees (as well as partners) on the enforceability of restrictive covenants and confidentiality agreements, including in relation to team moves; Drafting contracts of employment, service agreements and HR policies; Advising companies on restructuring exercises, redundancies (including collective redundancies) and employment issues arising from insolvency; Advising on TUPE-related matters including in relation to outsourcing and property transactions; Advising both employers and employees on data protection issues; Advising business start-ups in a wide range of industries on how to protect and grow their businesses at a reasonable cost; Providing HR advice and tailored training to clients and external bodies on all employment law matters, from recruitment to dismissal and beyond; Advising members on joining LLPs; and Drafting, negotiating and advising on settlement agreements. She has acted on a number of high profile (and commercially sensitive) matters which has resulted in six-figure settlements for her clients. She has also acted on matters in the County Court, High Courts, Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) and Court of Appeal. Fudia is praised by her clients for her creative problem-solving skills and her ability to provide commercial, tailored legal advice in a friendly and empathetic manner. She has a high emotional intelligence which she uses to assist with getting the results her clients want. Fudia is a member of the Employment Lawyers Association.
- Minimising the business risk through identity integration
- Clarifying and communicating your value
- Uncovering similarities and leveraging the differences
- Building diversity in perspectives, work habits and core assumptions: understanding where you will reap rewards
- Engagement, creativity and innovation: effectively quantifying the positives to ensure your workplace is fully authentic for all
Case study: The practicalities:Essential strategies and practice to optimise your organisation’s authenticity through my story
Nahida Ahmed
Director of People & Inclusion , The Trussell Trust
Nahida is the director of people and inclusion at Trussell Trust, UKs largest foodbank charity and responsible for all aspects of HR for Trussell Trust, and HR support for the foodbanks. Prior to that, Nahida was a civil servant for 14 years, starting as a driving examiner, progressing to operational management and then talent and capability business partner whilst leading the Agency’s Race Network before progressing to another government department as a senior equality, diversity & inclusion consultant leading on race, religion or belief and the learning portfolio.
- Recognising and cultivating individuality: where are the potential pitfalls and how to avoid them
- Ensuring your workplace remains professional and profitable: key mistakes to avoid
- Ensuring equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging is to be a golden thread throughout your organisation
- So, who’s getting it right? Key lessons from my experience of good management and inclusive leadership
Comfort break
Case study: The power of psychological safety to unlock innovation, creativity and performance
Nelson Derry
Global Head of Diversity, Equality & Inclusion , Aesop
Nelson is an organisational Culture and Inclusion leader with significant experience in driving transformations that unlock the potential in teams and organisations through building high performing and inclusive cultures, behaviours, mindsets and habits. An award winning executive he has been recognised by the Financial Times and EMPower as one of the Top 30 Future Leaders in the U.K. for contributions to workplace inclusion and talent management. Nelson is the author of ‘Rise of the 2020 Leader - Entering a new era of Trust, Purpose and Inclusion’. The book was ranked in the Top 50 Business Management and Leadership books category on Amazon. He is also a regular speaker and story teller at corporate and leadership events as well as industry conferences on the topics of high performing teams, organisational culture, leadership and Diversity & Inclusion. Nelson was invited to be a judge at the U.K. Employee Experience Awards for the ‘Most Innovative Employee Engagement Initiative’ category. He also judged the ‘Global HR Leader of the Year’ award at the Leadership Excellence Awards hosted by GDS.
- The stalemate of homogenous teams
- Harnessing empathy and strengthening cognitive connections: understanding and leveraging the neutral coupling effect
- Removing scepticism to foster curiosity and learning
- Steps to establish a broader perspective
- The importance of conversations
Questions and feedback
Elizabeth Smith
Director of Research , Business Forums International Ltd. (BFI)
Elizabeth is director of research and a founding co-director at Business Forums International. She is responsible for all programme content and writing, and researches current areas of interest for senior HR professionals in large organisations. BFI is the UK’s leading HR risk specialist conference and training provider, delivering key and timely information to over 3,000 delegates a year both through public and in-house training courses. Before founding BFI in 1996, Elizabeth specialised in researching corporate financial programmes in Asia and the Middle East, based in Dubai. She also worked in advertising and publishing in the Middle East and London. Elizabeth was educated in the West Indies, Saudi Arabia and Belgium before reading Modern Languages at Durham University. She is currently developing an online training course for line managers to raise awareness of menopause symptoms and ways that employers can work to make their workplaces more inclusive.
- what will you take back to your organisation?
- strategies to ensure top-down buy-in
End of workshop
Event supported by
Launched back in 2004, Mindful Employer is a UK wide initiative run by Devon Partnership NHS Trust. Providing employers with easy access to professional workplace mental health training, information and advice; our goal is to help empower organisations – large or small – to take a lead in supporting the mental wellbeing of staff.
