Recognising that change can only happen in the industry with the participation of publishers themselves, we invite members to undertake the following Diversity and Inclusion actions. 

1. Endorse a publicly available Diversity and Inclusion Policy stating the organisation’s commitments

Guidelines for members:

• The policy should be set and driven by senior leadership in consultation with staff. If possible, the policy should nominate a D&I leader and/or D&I responsibilities of all staff.

 

2. Participate in the APA’s collection of data relating to diversity and inclusion

Guidelines for members:

• Publishers provide information to the APA and affiliated research partners for the purpose of research and measurement.

 

3. Publish diverse and accessible books and content 

Guidelines for members:

• Ensure your content is accessible, authentic and inclusive including language, images and design. 
• Seek out new contributors from underrepresented groups and consider conducting a review of the diversity of your creators for internal measurement. 
• Ask event organisers to consider diversity in their speaker panels. 
• Ensure that you are compliant with relevant legislation around accessible content and employer duties. 

 

4. Create opportunities to hire from underrepresented groups

Guidelines for members:

• Ensure all roles are advertised widely and consider using specialist organisations, community groups or educational centres to reach a broader range of applicants.
• Review the language in job ads to ensure inclusivity.
• Develop opportunities for paid internships and ensure candidates are appropriately supported.
• Pay interns and work experience candidates who are with you for over a week.

 

5. Provide appropriate support for career progression and retention

Guidelines for members:

• Communicate clear pathways for career progression including the steps required for staff to be promoted or move into other roles.
• Ensure promotions are equitable.
• Establish opportunities for training and mentoring to support staff from underrepresented groups, from early career to executive level.

 

6. Provide access to appropriate professional development for all staff

Guidelines for members:

• Ensure all staff are given the opportunity to participate in inclusivity and unconscious bias training.

 

7. Implement appropriate work guidelines and practices

Guidelines for members:

• Utilise mandatory psychosocial work guidelines.
• Provide opportunities for flexible working, including part-time and hybrid, and consider ways to adapt the workplace for those with different working needs.

 

8. Work towards pay equity, including salary transparency

Guidelines for members:

• Include a salary range on job ads.
• Where possible, benchmark salaries against existing awards, such as the Book Industry Award 2020.
• Work towards pay equity and address issues arising from relevant pay gap studies.
• Ensure you are compliant with relevant legislation, including the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012 and associated Gender Equality Reporting guidelines; and new rules about pay secrecy, job ads, flexible work and fixed term contracts.

 

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Sources of best practice:

• UK PA Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan
• IPG Diversity Statement
• Penguin Random House UK Inclusivity Action Plan