Find genuinely inclusive employers

makhtoom from Pixabay

By Amrina Kaur, Employability Officer

This insight is part of our career wellbeing series.

Creating a diverse and inclusive work environment is important for both personal and professional growth.

These practical steps will help you to assess whether a potential employer is truly equality, diversity, and inclusivity (EDI) positive, to help you find a workplace where you can thrive, grow, and make a difference.

Research the company’s mission and values

Look for explicit mentions of EDI and equal opportunities. Genuine EDI-positive employers will be eager to demonstrate their commitment by incorporating inclusive principles into their organisational philosophy. You can see an example of this on IntoUniversity’s diversity and inclusion page as well as Mott MacDonald who have a global EDI strategy.

Review diversity initiatives

Examine the employer’s efforts to communicate the value they place on diversity and inclusion within their workforce. Look for initiatives that evidence action beyond fancy words, such as inclusive recruitment practises, mentorship opportunities, or practical EDI training. Companies that prioritise EDI will actively invest in these areas, creating an environment that celebrates diverse backgrounds and perspectives and creates a sense of belonging for everyone.

Evaluate the hiring process

Does the company have strategies in place to reduce bias and ensure a diverse candidate pool? Look for blind applications, objective interview standards, diverse interview panels, and inclusive language in job postings. They should be asking about, and respond positively to, requests for reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process to support disabled candidates. An EDI-positive employer will strive for fairness and equal opportunities right from the recruitment stage. Read the inclusive recruitment guidance for employers from the human resources professional body, The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

Examine diversity in leadership roles

Look at a company’s ‘team’ or ‘our people’ page and consider the representation of diverse individuals in leadership positions. An inclusive company recognises the importance of diverse perspectives at decision-making levels and appreciates how these lead to better outcomes for the organisation and all its stakeholders.

Seek employee perspectives

Reach out to current or former employees to learn more about the company’s EDI practises. While networking sites like LinkedIn allow you to connect with employees at a company to ask them questions directly, online forums like Glassdoor can offer useful information about employees’ experiences and impressions of the company’s commitment to EDI.

Assess training and development programmes

An EDI-positive employer will invest time and resources in professional development. Find companies that offer inclusive training, mentorship or coaching initiatives, and equal opportunities for career advancement. An EDI-positive employer recognises the value of empowering all employees, regardless of their background or identity and may also have some ring-fenced opportunities to support career progression for groups currently underrepresented at more senior levels in the organisation or sector.

Investigate policies and benefits

This includes policies related to parental or carer leave, flexible work arrangements, staff networks, and adjustments for individuals with disabilities. Look at any ethnicity or gender reports a company publishes. While there is at present no legal requirement for employers to report on the ethnicity pay gap, employers who are committed towards an inclusive and diverse workforce may produce one.

External recognition awards

Organisations that genuinely prioritise EDI are frequently recognised for their efforts by industry associations, diversity-focused organisations, or through various awards. Stonewall has a ranking for top employers for LGBTQ+ inclusion in the workplace, and the Disability Confident commitment identifies employers who have agreed to take a set of actions regarding the recruitment, retention, and career development of disabled people and those with health conditions.

Reflect on your priorities and what matters most to you

You might value a staff network that promotes a sense of community, or possibly a mentoring scheme that offers professional guidance. Whatever aspects are important to you, ensure that potential employers align with your checklist. By taking these things into account, you can find an employer who meets your requirements and supports your personal and professional growth.

Ready to find an inclusive employer? You can search our wide range of jobs and placements on MyCareer. Also check out our graduate jobs and work experience webpages for sources of vacancies including organisations supporting under-represented students and graduates.

First published June 2023. Updated October 2025