National Inclusion Week, beginning today (26 September 2022), is a week dedicated to learning about and celebrating inclusive culture.
Last year’s National Inclusion Week connected 60 million people to celebrate diversity and inclusion, but 2022 is expected to be one of the biggest celebrations for National Inclusion Week yet.
Each year has a different theme. The first National Inclusion Weeks were centred on raising awareness of the need for inclusion at work, and as the campaigns have gotten bigger and more popular, the themes began to focus on taking meaningful action. This year’s theme is ‘Time to Act, The Power of Now’, highlighting the importance of acting immediately and ensuring that inclusion happens, rather than waiting for it to happen on its own.
To celebrate National Inclusion Week 2022, Inclusive Employers is offering toolkits to employers and putting on a selection of webinars, as well as encouraging everyone to raise awareness and share on social media using #NationalInclusionWeek and #ThePowerOfNow.
What is inclusion?
Inclusion is the act of including somebody/something. In a work setting, it is where a mix of people can come to work and feel confident, comfortable, and valued, because of a sense of importance placed on diversity, equality, and other aspects.
For successful organisations, equality, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace are crucial. Inclusion ensures that people feel welcome and safe. Not only does this lead to a happier workforce, but also empowers diverse talent to share their individual perspectives and to think differently, which increases innovation, development, and engagement.
The PDA’s EDI Networks
One of the many ways that the PDA takes action to increase inclusion in the pharmacy industry is through the use of its networks. In 2020, the PDA’s EDI Networks BAME (Black Asian and Minority Ethnic Network), NAWP (National Association of Women Pharmacists), Ability (Disabled Pharmacists), and the LGBT+ Network were launched. The networks represent the interests of their members while taking action to further the diversity and inclusion in pharmacy, sharing the values of National Inclusion Week.
The BAME Network
In July 2022, the PDA’s BAME Network launched the Anti-racist Pharmacy Toolkit, which aims to lead change in the workplace. The toolkit is based on Roger Kline’s research, including Roger Kline’s six essential criteria to improve fairer recruitment and career progression, an action plan template, and more. The toolkit can be adapted in different pharmacy settings, as the issues, evidence, and approach will vary from one employer to another.
Much like National Inclusion Week, the toolkit was created to empower pharmacists to act now and lead change in their workplaces, so that everyone feels included and welcome.
The NAWP Network
Earlier this year on 9 March 2022, NAWP celebrated International Women’s Day by holding an event to raise awareness and improve inclusion in the workplace. The event, hosted by then-NAWP President, Naina Chotai, consisted of an informative panel of speakers who shared their thoughts and experiences regarding how to challenge bias in the workplace, how social media can be a powerful tool in educating others and encouraging open conversation, and breaking myths around gender in the workplace.
The LGBT+ Network
Since identifying a lack of LGBT+ inclusion in the curriculums at Schools of Pharmacy in 2021, the LGBT+ Network has focused a lot of time and effort on improving this. The #LGBTplusMPharm campaign included writing letters, speaking at various events, creating a campaign video, and a social media campaign. Most recently, the PDA LGBT+ Network has launched resources to support LGBT+ inclusive teaching for the MPharm. The resources include an action plan, case studies, and a resource list, with the hopes of integrating inclusive teaching.
The Ability Network
The PDA Ability Network supported the PDA in signing the Disability Employment Charter in July 2022. The Charter aims to level up disabled people’s employment opportunities, increase disabled people’s job satisfaction, reduce disability pay gaps, and improve inclusivity in the workplace.
Get involved
- To join one of the PDA’s EDI Networks, click here.
Learn more
- National Inclusion Week
- Inclusive Employers
- BAME Network
- NAWP
- LGBT+ Network
- Ability Network
- PDA BAME Network launches Anti-racist Pharmacy Toolkit
- NAWP uses IWD to promote gender-equality in the workplace
- LGBT Network launches resources to support LGBT+ inclusive education
- More inclusion of LGBT+ education needed in pharmacy schools
- The PDA signs the Disability Employment Charter
Not yet a PDA member?
If you have not yet joined the PDA, we encourage you to join today and ask your colleagues to do the same.
Membership is FREE to pharmacy students, trainee pharmacists, and for the first three months of being newly qualified.
Read about our key member benefits here.