Advocacy and Allyship in the Workplace: How to Make a Difference
So, you want to make a difference in the workplace? Well, you're in luck! Adavanti spoke with Adebayo Onafuwa, a Diversity & Inclusion Talent leader who gave us insights on advocacy and allyship, two powerful tools that can help create a more inclusive and equitable workplace.
Let’s start by clarifying our terms.
What is advocacy?
Advocacy is speaking up for or supporting a cause or group of people. In the workplace, advocacy can mean speaking up for a colleague who is being discriminated against, or advocating for changes to make the workplace more inclusive.
What is allyship?
Allyship is supporting a cause or group of people without being a member of that group. In the workplace, allyship can mean being a vocal supporter of diversity and inclusion, or simply being willing to listen to and learn from the experiences of others.
Now let’s get into it.
Why are advocacy and allyship important?
They can help create a more inclusive and equitable workplace, amplify the voices of those who are underrepresented, and change the culture of the workplace.
For example, an ally can speak up against discrimination and can educate others about diversity and inclusion. Additionally, advocacy and allyship can help to amplify the voices of those who are underrepresented in the workplace. This can help to ensure that everyone's concerns are heard and addressed.
How Can Companies Create a Culture of Advocacy and Allyship?
It's not enough to simply have a policy on diversity and inclusion. Companies need to walk the walk and talk the talk. They need to create a culture where everyone feels safe, valued, and respected, regardless of their background or identity.
Here are some tips for organisations on how to create a culture of advocacy and allyship:
Start with a survey. This will help you to understand what your employees want and need in terms of creating a more inclusive and equitable workplace.
Identify pain points and areas for improvement. Once you have the survey results, you can start to identify areas where your organisation can improve. This could include things like redesigning office spaces, providing more training and development opportunities, or creating employee action groups.
Create a safe space where people feel comfortable speaking up. This could involve setting up an employee resource group or creating a designated space where people can go to discuss their concerns.
Celebrate and reward advocates and allies. This will help to show your employees that you value their contributions and that you are committed to creating a more inclusive workplace.
How can I be an advocate or ally in the workplace?
Here are a few ways:
Speak up. If you see something that's not right, speak up. This could mean speaking up against discrimination, or speaking up for changes that would make the workplace more inclusive.
Be a role model. Be a role model for others by living your values and being an advocate for diversity and inclusion.
Listen. Be willing to listen to the experiences of others, even if they're different from your own.
Offer support. If you see someone who is being discriminated against, offer your support. This could mean simply being there to listen, or it could mean taking more active steps to help.
How can I measure the impact of my advocacy and allyship?
There are a few ways to measure the impact of your advocacy and allyship. One way is to conduct happiness surveys. This can help you to track employee satisfaction and engagement. For example, you could ask questions like "Do you feel like you belong in this workplace?" or "Do you feel like your voice is heard?"
Another way to measure the impact is to track employee engagement. This can help you to see how involved employees are in the workplace. For example, you could track things like how many meetings they attend, how many projects they're involved in, and how often they give their feedback.
Finally, you can also listen to employee feedback. This can help you to understand how employees feel about the workplace. For example, you could hold regular town hall meetings or one-on-one conversations with employees.
By tracking these metrics, you can get a sense of how your advocacy and allyship is impacting the workplace. If you see that employee satisfaction and engagement are increasing, that's a good sign that you're making a difference.
The take home message
Advocacy and allyship are important tools that can help you make a difference in the workplace. By following the tips above, you can help to create a more inclusive and equitable workplace for everyone.
So what are you waiting for? Start advocating and allying today!
