Seven red flags to look out for before entering an award
November 21, 2024
Equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) have made significant strides in recent years, transforming workplaces and deserving celebration. One way to recognise this hard work is through EDI-focused awards.
With more workplaces seeing the benefits when diversity, equality and inclusion are present, it’s more important than ever to showcase the hard work behind the scenes.
These awards not only celebrate your achievements but also provide external validation of your commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace. Recognition can enhance your brand’s reputation, attract top talent, and showcase your dedication to diversity.
Do you want your initiatives to be seen/heard and rewarded? Here we’ll provide a breakdown of some of the best awards to enter for equity, diversity and inclusion.
What is EDI?
- Equality/equity – –Everyone is treated fairly, irrespective of differences
- Diversity – The range of people in the workforce. There will be a good mix of genders, ages, religions, sexual preferences, cultures and disabilities
- Inclusion – Everyone feels valued. Freedom to express personal opinions and ideas, discussing problem areas with management and removing the presence of bullying, harassment and discrimination
Which EDI awards should I enter?
The Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality (UK) – The Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality (previously known as The Times Top 50 Employers for Women) are organisations that are committed to gender equality in the workplace and have taken action to make this happen. Entries open on 8 January 2024 with a 16 February deadline. Although these awards are free to enter once the Top 50 list has been identified, there’s a promotion fee of £2500 + VAT to be included in the list.
Stonewall Workplace Equality Index – The Stonewall UK and Global Workplace Equality Indices are the benchmarks for employers to measure their LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion achievements and progress.
For 2025 these awards open in September 2024 and close in late November.
Inclusive Companies Top 50 Employers and Awards – This league table is for the most inclusive employers in the UK. It focuses on representation at management, senior, executive and board levels, as well as inclusive cultures at work and within communities. To enter the list, you do need to become an Inclusive Companies member. However, you do not need to be a member to enter the awards, and they’re free to enter.
Social Mobility Employer Index – The Social Mobility Employer Index encourages Britain’s employers to share their actions to ensure they are accessing and progressing talent from all backgrounds. Entries for 2024 open around mid-late March until late June 2024.
The National Diversity Awards celebrate the excellent achievements of grassroots communities that tackle the issues today, recognising their hard work.
Charities, role models and community heroes will be honoured, showcasing their outstanding devotion to enhancing equity, diversity and inclusion. These awards close in May, with the main event held in September.
Awards for role models:
The EMpower Ethnic Minority Role Model Lists celebrates business leaders breaking down barriers at work for ethnic minorities in the UK, Ireland, Europe, and people of colour in the United States and Canada.
The HERoes Women Role Model Lists is for leaders who champion women in business and are making changes for gender diversity in the workplace.
The OUTstanding LGBT+ Role Model Lists showcase the achievements of LGBTQ+ people and allies in the business community.
Industry-specific awards:
Now you’ve found an award you want to enter; the next part is writing that award-winning entry. Awards Writers have an 80% shortlist success rate and offer a range of services from award writing, award research, and award training.
Ready to craft your award-winning entry? Contact Awards Writers for expert support.
