People Like Us

We’re proud to be partnering with PRWeek UK for a 4th year running on the Pay Gap study, inviting UK PR agencies to submit their gender and ethnicity pay gap data. Transparency is key to progress, and we encourage you to disclose pay gaps to create a more informed and equitable industry. With the government announcing ethnicity pay gap reporting as part of its upcoming legislations there’s never been a better time to start if you’ve not reported on it previously. ➡ More info can be found here: https://lnkd.in/dkfetQdE ⬅ If you have any questions feel free to contact Sheeraz Gulsher or John Harrington.

Today marks a significant milestone. In the King's Speech, the new Labour government introduced legislation among 40 bills, potentially enshrining ethnicity pay gap reporting into law—a manifesto promise that's now taking shape. 🥹 The government plans to mandate ethnicity and disability pay gap reporting for organisations with over 250 employees under the draft Equality (Race and Disability) Bill announced in the 2024 King’s Speech. This draft bill aims to ensure equal pay rights for ethnic minorities and disabled individuals, alongside mandatory reporting on ethnicity and disability pay gaps. While it's not yet law, this represents a major step towards workplace equity in the UK. Currently, many ethnic minority groups earn less than their white British counterparts. Almost five years ago, Sheeraz Gulsher and I founded People Like Us to promote equity in the UK's marketing and comms industry. Since then, we've expanded our efforts, hosting over 20 networking events, engaging with MPs, conducting extensive research, and launching national ad campaigns. Today, we see progress towards achieving our goals. Today, we'll be celebrating a crucial step towards workplace equity—and it feels good. 🙌🏽

Feeling that mid-week lull? We often find ourselves stuck in the comfort zone, tackling the same routine tasks. But real growth happens when we embrace new challenges and opportunities. Remember these three words from Jonathan Reid, founder of Reidentify, shared at our event with Penguin Random House UK: "Yeah, why not?" So today, take a chance and say yes! #PeopleLikeUs

Just last week, the Government announced ethnicity pay gap reporting as part of its upcoming list of legislations thanks to the immense efforts of activists, businesses and brilliant individuals. People Like Us is proud of its ongoing partnership with PRWeek UK which for a fourth year running invites UK agencies to submit their gender and ethnicity pay gap data (and also share learnings on best practices). Many world class agencies have entered year on year and have gone on to close their pay gaps and also improve senior diverse representation at their agencies, which has been a difficult obstacle to overcome in our industry. We urge agencies to consider entering this year. Your teams, clients and the future generations will appreciate you for it. We had a record amount of entries last year and would love to see this grow again. Details on how to enter the PRWeek UK x People Like Us pay gap study are here: https://lnkd.in/e4D8bBMk Do hit myself, John Harrington or Mike Levaggi up if you have any questions on the study or how to enter. We're always around for a call or IRL coffee! Entries close on 19 August.

This government has responded to People Like Us and many other organisations calling for this legislation. We have long recognised the systemic biases and disparities faced by people who look like us in the workplace. This law could be a significant step towards holding businesses accountable for how they treat their workers.

Over the past five years, People Like Us has diligently spoken to MPs, conducted national ad campaigns, ran countless pieces of research, and hosted numerous impactful events. Today, we are deeply moved to witness this pivotal moment of change. The government has responded to our collective voice and that of many organisations and activists, heeding the call for necessary legislation. We have long acknowledged the systemic biases and inequalities faced by individuals who resemble us in the workplace. This legislation marks a crucial step towards holding UK businesses accountable for their treatment of employees. To ensure the successful implementation of this legislation, People Like Us remains committed to ongoing engagement with the government, MPs from all political spectrums, and key stakeholders. We urge our members, allies, and the broader community to actively participate in and contribute to any relevant consultation processes. Together, let's shape a fairer and more equitable future for all.

With white influencers on average making over 50% more than some of their ethnic minority counterparts, are the improvements to equality in the influencer industry largely just performative?  Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dFTMuB-U

It's election week, and democracy needs everyone. In the 2019 election nearly 1 in 3 registered voters then didn’t go to the polls on the day itself 😵 So let’s change that this time round by tripling the vote. It’s a simple way to boost turnout. 1) Think of 3 friends who might not be planning to vote 2) Ask them to vote 3) Follow up with them on election day #TripleTheVote

Thanks Jane Hamilton for the mention in your The Times feature on workplace productivity. It's been great to see several parties including ethnicity pay gap reporting in their manifestos in the run up to today's election day. Get out there and have your voice heard! #PeopleLikeUs

Our latest research in partnership with Censuswide shows that  41% of professionals are likely to support a political party based on its stance on workplace inequalities. When it comes to working professionals from minority ethnic backgrounds, that increases to 57% (vs. 35% of white respondents). 44% of respondents believe Pay transparency would have benefits in the workplace. Co-founder, Sheeraz Gulsher, feels the findings just go to show that workplace equality and transparency are no longer marginal issues but mainstream concerns. “It is heartening to see major political parties including ethnicity pay gap reporting in their manifestos, reflecting a growing recognition of its importance. However, any future government needs to take tangible action to address these issues in a meaningful way to truly resonate with our diverse workforce and ensure a fairer, more inclusive workplace for all.”