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Diversity and inclusion

Articles, books and online resources providing background information and guidance on making a workplace more diverse and inclusive to the people who work in it. This goes beyond merely complying with equality legislation.
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Latest on diversity and inclusion

Read our latest features and articles on diversity and inclusion.
5 multi racial hands placed down on table
How to be a family-friendly employer
  • Article
  • 11 Oct 2024
Making it easy for your staff to juggle family commitment alongside their jobs will reap rewards. In this National Work Life Week, we offer tips on meaningful family-friendly strategies that should be on your radar.
5 multi racial hands placed down on table
Prioritising mental health at work
  • Article
  • 10 Oct 2024
On today’s World Mental Health Day, caba – the occupational charity for ICAEW members and their families – offers tips to help improve your well-being in the workplace.
Female on her laptop with earphones in
ICAEW student numbers buck sector-wide lull
  • Article
  • 04 Oct 2024
Comprehensive sector analysis shows that the ACA qualification continues to be a popular choice for those starting their careers.
5 multi racial hands placed down on table
ICAEW reaffirms commitment to gender balance
  • Article
  • 01 Oct 2024
The number of women in senior roles at ICAEW continues to increase, as the institute delivers on its pledge for a gender balance across financial services.
5 multi racial hands placed down on table
Employers face new legal obligations on sexual harassment
  • Article
  • 27 Sep 2024
From next month, employers will face a new legal obligation to protect workers from sexual harassment. We explain what the changes mean.
5 multi racial hands placed down on table
Breaking down social barriers together
  • Article
  • 23 Sep 2024
As we celebrate National Inclusion Week (23-29 September), opportunities for ICAEW members to help remove social barriers to success are plentiful, working together as a profession to have a greater impact.
5 multi racial hands placed down on table
Caba signals rise in mental health support queries
  • Article
  • 17 Sep 2024
New data from the occupational charity for ICAEW members suggests growing awareness of the need to look after our mental health.
5 multi racial hands placed down on table
Easing the mental health pressure on accountants
  • Article
  • 15 May 2024
Stress can happen in any job – and finance professionals are no strangers to the pressures of work. But firms are increasingly turning the spotlight on staff well-being.
Read more

Reports and surveys

Webinars

The gender pension gap
  • Podcast
  • 2021
Ros Urwin is joined by a panel of experts to discuss the gender pension gap, a problem that is related to the gender pay gap but has its own, negative characteristics.
Essential employment issues
  • Listing
  • 2019
This new ten minute webinar format is being used to deliver a series of “what you need to know” webinars on best practice for employment issues.
Equality diversity and inclusion
  • Webinar
  • 2019
This ten minute webinar presented by ACAS, is part of a series on essential employment issues. The first webinar covers equality, diversity and inclusion.
More webinars

eBooks

The ICAEW Library & Information Service provides full text access to a selection of key business and reference eBooks from leading publishers. eBooks are available to logged-in ICAEW members, ACA students and other entitled users. If you are unable to access an eBook, please see our Help and support advice or contact library@icaew.com.

Exclusive Corporate governance handbook
  • eBook
  • 2017
  • PDF (2,211kb)
  • Bernadette Barber | Barbara Allen
  • ICSA Publsihing
The Handbook provides full explanations of the statutory and regulatory regime applicable to listed companies but also, for the first time, addresses how governance best practice might be applied by private companies, including subsidiaries,
Exclusive ICSA Non-executive director's handbook
  • eBook
  • 2016
  • PDF (906kb)
  • Brian Coyle
  • ICSA Publishing
An essential source of reference and route map for the position of Non-executive director. Contains case studies and checklists throughout.
Exclusive Discrimination
  • eBook chapter
  • 2016
  • Ewan McIntyre
  • Pearson
These ten sections of the chapter on employment cover discrimination - the Equality Act 2010 replaced all previous discrimination legislation. Discrimination on the basis of: age; disability; gender reassignment; marriage and civil partnership; pregnancy and maternity; race; religion and belief; sex; and sexual orientation is outlawed. In addition discrimination against people with criminal records, part-time workers, fixed-term workers and agency workers is also covered.
Exclusive ICSA Director's guide 5th edition
  • eBook
  • 2013
  • PDF (2,472kb)
  • Martha Bruce
  • ICSA Publishing
The ICSA Director's Guide explains all the core duties and liabilities of being a director from appointment to resignation, including disclosures, shareholder relations and corporate governance.
Exclusive Developing executive talent: best practices from global leaders
  • eBook
  • 2006
  • Jonathan Smilansky
  • Wiley-Blackwell
A book for human resources managers and senior executives with responsibility for employee management.
Exclusive Job evaluation: a guide to achieving equal pay
  • eBook
  • 2003
  • Michael Armstrong, Ann Cummins, Sue Hastings, Willie Wood
  • Kogan Page
A good practice guide to job evaluation.
Terms of use

You are permitted to access, download, copy, or print out content from eBooks for your own research or study only, subject to the terms of use set by our suppliers and any restrictions imposed by individual publishers. Please see individual supplier pages for full terms of use.

More HR eBooks

Business press

The ICAEW Library & Information Service provides access to leading business, finance and management journals. These journals are available to logged-in ICAEW members, ACA students and other entitled users subject to suppliers' terms of use.
Exclusive Black chartered accountants in post-apartheid South Africa: Global implications for the profession
  • Article
  • 01 Mar 2024
  • Theresa A.Hammond, Sedzani Musundwa
Although South Africa’s Apartheid system legally ended with the advent of democracy in 1994, by 2021 only 15% of chartered accountants were Black. The authors examine this underrepresentation through interviews with 22 Black South Africans who earned their chartered accountancy certification in the second decade of the 21st century. While the officially mandated educational and employment barriers that previous generations faced have been dismantled, the authors found that aspiring Black accountants continue to face immense barriers to entering the profession.
Exclusive Diversity and the evaluation of talent in the accounting profession: The enigma of merit
  • Article
  • 01 Mar 2024
  • Fiona Anderson-Gough, Carla Edgley, Keith Robson, Nina Sharma
While accounting firms are facing recruitment and retention problems, regulatory bodies are calling for efforts to improve diversity to be more effective, especially at senior levels. In this paper, the authors discuss 'merit' in processes of performance evaluation and career progression. Based on interviews in Big 4, mid-tier and small professional services firms in the UK, the authors explore how the working environment and culture in firms can potentially inhibit moves to improving diversity.
Exclusive Perceived organizational inclusion: Evidence from neurodivergent accountants in the US
  • Article
  • 01 Mar 2024
  • Qi Duong, Loreal Jiles, Roopa Venkatesh
The authors examine the intersection of neurodiversity and accounting employment by exploring the work experiences of neurodivergent accountants in the US. They attempt to answer the question: 'How can neurodivergent accountants’ perceived organizational inclusion be improved?' Their study amplifies the voices of neurodivergent accountants, providing insights to key factors that shape neurodivergent accountants’ experiences of inclusion, while informing future organizational strategies through 37 recommended actionable practices.
Exclusive Women in accounting: Practical tips for leadership advancement
  • Article
  • 01 Jan 2024
  • Christine A.Funkhouser, Gergana Lipidakova
Advice on how women in the accounting profession can promote their personal brand and leadership persona. Topics include prioritizing education, advocating for oneself and increasing your visibility within your organization.
Exclusive Embracing neurodiversity in accounting and finance
  • Article
  • 01 Jan 2024
  • Anthony Pacilio
Neurodivergent employees can foster a culture of innovation, problem solving, and different perspectives. Anthony Pacilio gives advice on how employers in accounting and finance can attract and retain neurodivergent employees.
Exclusive Aviva CEO Amanda Blanc says sexism is 'amplified' in finance
  • Article
  • 13 Dec 2023
  • Olivia Konotey-Ahulu
Aviva CEO Amanda Blanc has testified before British lawmakers about the prevalence of sexism in the financial services sector, stating that it is worse than in wider society. She shared testimonies she received, ranging from sexual harassment to women being excluded from key meetings. Blanc and Nishma Gosrani, a financial services partner at consultancy Bain & Company, discussed the Women in Finance Charter, a voluntary initiative aimed at promoting gender diversity in the industry.
More articles

Online magazines

Some online journal titles are available only to logged-in ICAEW members, ACA students and other entitled users. To view the full range of titles available to you, please log in.
Employee Benefits
  • DVV Media HR Group Ltd.
Online magazine covering developments around various kinds of employee benefits, including pensions, health insurance, and company cars.
Personnel Today
  • DVV Media International
News resource for HR professionals. Its website includes an archive of articles published since January 2000.
Training Journal
  • Political Holdings Limited
Online magazine for the UK's training and learning and development industry. Until 2020 it was a print magazine; the Library provides online access to issues published between 2008 and 2020 via its premium databases.

Articles and books in the ICAEW Library collection

The collection of the ICAEW Library & Information Service includes a range of articles, books and reports on diversity and inclusion. Use the links below to see what we have available to request in our Library catalogue (Libcat).

To find out how you can borrow books from the Library please see our guide to borrowing books.

You can obtain copies of articles or extracts of books and reports through our document supply service.

External resources - Acas guidance and templates

Advice, guidance and practical resources on a wide variety of recruitment topics for both employers and employees, produced by the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service, Acas. Acas is the employment relations service for England, Scotland and Wales offering practical, independent and impartial advice to employers, employees and their representatives.
Equality diversity and inclusion policy template
  • Website
Free equality, diversity and inclusion policy template an employer can adapt for their organisation.
Improving equality, diversity and inclusion in your workplace
  • Website
Key guide outlining how employers and employees can put principles of equality and diversity into practice.
Managing staff - equality documents
  • Website
Acas template equality documents for employers: a gender pay reporting letter and sample equality policy.
Supporting trans employees in the workplace
  • Website
Research paper prepared for Acas by The Institute for Employment Studies explores how gender identity is managed in UK workplaces and how it could be improved.
Useful templates: Hiring staff
  • Website
Acas useful template recruitment documents to help employers hiring staff, including letters, forms and checklists.
Terms of use

ICAEW accepts no responsibility for the content on any site to which a hypertext link from this site exists. The links are provided 'as is' with no warranty, express or implied, for the information provided within them. Please see the full copyright and disclaimer notice.

External resources - Guidance

Catalyst
  • Website
  • Catalyst
Organisation working globally to expand opportunities for women and business. The website provides access to research reports on a range of gender and diversity issues.
Diversity and inclusion
  • Website
  • Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
Guidance, reports and podcasts from the CIPD on how to promote equal opportunities and manage diversity and inclusion in the workplace
Diversity and inclusion guide
  • Website
  • The Professional and Business Services Council
Guide produced by the Professional and Business Services Council (PBSC). It highlights key areas of focus for implementing, managing and monitoring diversity initiatives, with best practice advice and a handy checklist
Employing disabled people and people with health conditions
  • Website
  • HM Government
Government guidance on how to attract, recruit and retain disabled people
Equality Act 2010
  • Website
  • Equality and Human Rights Commission
Guidance on the Equality Act 2010 from the EHRC. Covers the purpose of the Equality Act and who it protects. EHRC Codes of Practice covering the Equality Act 2020 are also available; these provide detailed explanations of the provisions in the Act and apply the legal concepts to everyday situations.
Financial services inquiry
  • Website
  • Equality and Human Rights Commission
Research report from the EHRC. The study looks at sex discrimination and the gender pay gap within the financial services sector.
Increasing gender diversity to boost productivity
  • Website
  • Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
An ACCA briefing for finance and HR leaders to help understanding of the value of gender diversity and the making of a business case for diversity to their peers
Race at Work Charter Survey Report 2023
  • Website
  • Business in the Community
Findings from the Race at Work Charter Survey 2023, which asked employers about their progress against each Race at Work Charter commitment. 238 employers completed the Race at Work Charter Survey in 2023, representing more than 1.2 million employees in the UK. The reports provide a unique insight into the trends and statistics identified across each commitment, alongside case studies and best practice examples from participating organisations.
Terms of use

ICAEW accepts no responsibility for the content on any site to which a hypertext link from this site exists. The links are provided 'as is' with no warranty, express or implied, for the information provided within them. Please see the full copyright and disclaimer notice.

External resources - Organisations and networks

100 Women in Finance
  • Website
  • 100 Women in Finance
A global organisation committed to building a more diverse and gender equitable finance industry by promoting diversity of thought, raising visibility, and empowering women to find their personal path to success.
Catalyst
  • Website
  • Catalyst
Organisation working globally to expand opportunities for women and business. The website provides access to research reports on a range of gender and diversity issues.
Catalyst
  • Website
  • Catalyst
Organisation working globally to expand opportunities for women and business. The website provides access to research reports on a range of gender and diversity issues.
Equally yours
  • Website
  • Equality Yours
A network of national organisations committed to promoting equality and the elimination of any form of discrimination. The website offers a range of resources for guidance and campaigning. Formerly the Equality and diversity forum
Involve
  • Website
  • INvolve
Global network and consultancy championing diversity and inclusion in business.
NBWN
  • Website
  • National Black Women’s Network
The National Black Women’s Network champions the advancement of women across all professional disciplines.
OUTstanding in business
  • Website
  • Outstanding Executives
A professional network  for LGBT executives. produces the Top 100 OUTstanding in business list.
Professional Women's Network
  • Website
  • PWN Global
A global network 'of people accelerating gender balanced leadership in business and society'
Terms of use

ICAEW accepts no responsibility for the content on any site to which a hypertext link from this site exists. The links are provided 'as is' with no warranty, express or implied, for the information provided within them. Please see the full copyright and disclaimer notice.

Related topics

We also maintain separate web pages on these topics:
Female boss with colleagues
Board diversity
Considerations and guidance for corporate governance professionals on boardroom diversity.
Glasses on table
Discrimination
Find out more about the law on discrimination with our selection of articles, links and guides to best practice and regulation.
Young colleagues at work
Employment tribunals
Employment tribunals hear claims regarding disputes in the workplace. On this page you can find articles, books and online resources providing guidance and background information.
Female colleagues at desk
Women in business
A collection of books, articles and guides on topics of interest to women working in business and accountancy.
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Information

Some of the content on this web page was provided by the Chartered Accountants’ Trust for Education and Research, a registered charity, which owns the library and operates it for ICAEW.