Creating safe spaces to share
In 2020, we introduced a new global holistic employee listening platform called ‘Kantar Open Door’. This has allowed Kantar to evolve to a more agile, meaningful, inclusive and real-time way of listening to our employees. As well as new joiner, onboarding and leaver surveys, the platform allows employees to provide qualitative feedback on Inclusion & Diversity at Kantar. Employees across our network now have the opportunity to share their experiences and suggestions to help the business improve, at any time.
I&D Open Survey (Q4 2020)
59% of respondents agree that they see examples of effective inclusion and diversity action in their day-to-day work.
We have also made the decision to launch the Kantar Inclusion Index internally. The Inclusion Index enables organizations to understand, track and measure their own progress in developing an inclusive and diverse workplace. It helps create a benchmark for Inclusion and Diversity and supports businesses in developing plans to make positive changes within their organisation. Having run the Inclusion Index successfully for numerous clients, we want to start to make it available to Kantar employees, supporting our own business in the same way that we support our clients. The survey was launched first in North America in September 2020 and will continue to be rolled out across our business in 2021.
In May 2020, Kantar North America launched weekly “Safe Space Sharing Sessions”. Described by an employee as “Safe Space Healing Sessions”, these open forums act as a unique opportunity for people to discuss race and other I&D-related topics such as gender, religion, sexual orientation, abilities, the impact of COVID-19 and mental health. The sessions developed into a safe environment where people of all levels come together to share, listen, learn and support one another.
Similar sessions have been run in the UK. Also in the UK, an Ally Programme has been set up to create a network of people to champion a diverse and inclusive culture. They are a key connection for employees and work closely with the UK&I I&D Steering Committee as well as Employee Resource Groups.
In October 2020, we introduced ‘Disruption Talks’, a new panel discussion series that aims to challenge our thinking. It is about embracing different points of view, counteracting stereotypes, debunking myths, all with the aim of interrupting bias. The sessions are provocative by design to challenge assumptions. The first session, led by Narelle Burke, Ann Clurman and Mark Whiting, focused on "Generation Ageless“ and promoted the newly established ERG, No Limits!. The panel discussed the experience of older employees and how we can create an age-inclusive workplace where people at every stage of working life can see themselves grow and thrive.
