Black staff 'not promoted due to skin colour' despite pledge after George Floyd

12 June 2023 , 09:25

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Marcus Whyte's company Zyna commissioned a poll looking at diversity in the workplace after George Floyd's death

More than half of UK Black professional workers say they were not promoted because of their skin colour - while the number of senior business leaders from ethnically diverse backgrounds has not significantly increased since the death of George Floyd sparked global protests.

$50bn (£40bn) of corporate pledges were made to address racial inequality in the workplace in the wake of the US dad's murder in May 2020.

The study of 2,000 workers revealed nearly 70 per cent of those quizzed said their firms had not increased the number of Black, Asian or ethnic minority leaders.

The study of 2,000 workers revealed nearly 70 per cent of those quizzed said their firms had not increased the number of Black, Asian or ethnic minority leaders (Getty Images)

Almost half of black staff said they have had to anglicise their names to make it easier for a colleague to pronounce, while 60 per cent felt that they had to “code switch” – adjusting aspects of their appearance or language to conform to perceived workplace norms.

Marcus Whyte, whose recruitment company Zyna Search commissioned the poll, said diverse organisations make good business sense.

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He said: “It is a positive sign that work to address racism in the workplace had begun in offices across the country.

“But the report shows more work still needs to happen, especially in terms of senior leaders and those with influence and power in the workplace.”

“So many companies pledged to do better on diversity after George Floyd’s killing," he added.

"But if we look at the FTSE 100, there are no Black CEOs or chairpersons.”

Melissa Sigodo