In this episode of The Culture Shift, host Vicki Baars sits down with Christopher Owen, the Inclusivity Development Manager for Manchester Pride. Christopher brings his unique perspective from his journey in intersectional systemic oppression studies and his impactful consulting work in equality and diversity.

Christopher explores the nuances of genuine equality, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace, moving beyond superficial efforts. He critiques commonplace diversity gestures like hosting tokenistic events for LGBTQ+ employees during Pride Month and sheds light on the often limited resources allocated to such initiatives within organisations.

This episode delves deep into the importance of understanding the history and ongoing challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals, rather than simply celebrating Pride Month superficially. Christopher discusses the myth of meritocracy and how beliefs in a fair, merit-based system often mask the real barriers to advancement in the workplace.

Listeners will gain insights into real-world examples, like how mentorship can play a crucial role in addressing systemic issues and aiding career advancement. The episode also highlights the paradoxes of unconscious bias training and its unintended consequences, as well as the impact of UK government policies on trans individuals' healthcare access.

Christopher and Vicki also discuss the All Equals Charter's thorough accreditation process and the 'Getting Started' program for organisations beginning their journey towards inclusivity. They address the challenges professionals face in engaging inclusively with marginalised communities and identify common workplace practices that inadvertently reinforce systemic barriers.

This episode is not just a conversation but an invaluable resource for understanding and challenging systemic oppression in the professional world.

Stay Connected:

• Join us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/10000836/admin/feed/posts/
• Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/UKCultureShift
• Connect with Vicki: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vicki-baars-a061ab71/
• Reach out to Christopher: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thecjowen/

Stay Informed:

• For more insights and resources, visit our website: Culture-shift.co.uk

Join us in this enlightening discussion and be part of a shift towards a more inclusive and equitable workplace.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.