‘Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Explained’ is part of series of books called the HR Series and its’ target audience is early HR practitioners and EDI professionals, intended as a go to reference book and tool kit.

I am quite critical of what is out there currently and how EDI needs to be rethought to stay relevant coming back to CIPD principles of being evidence based and outcome driven rather than performative EDI.

I wrote the book based on what I would have found helpful when I first came into this space and is particularly relevant because EDI functions are being cut or scaled back with HR practitioners being asked to pick up EDI as part of culture, well being and belonging.   

Here is an overview chapter by chapter.

Chapter 1 sets the tone introducing EDI concepts, the disparity in workplace demographics and wider society plus discrimination legislation, societal movements, global events from 1900s to 2025.

Chapter 2 considers EDI within the context of HR models, organisational values and motivational theories, clarifying EDI jargon and how to become a more effective HR/EDI practitioner.

Chapter 3 unpacks a range of biases, stereotypes and behaviour by looking at systems 1 and systems 2 thinking.

Chapter 4 explores social conditioning looking at childhood influences and societal narratives plus the psychology behind our behaviours.

Chapter 5 presents atypical EDI initiatives that are adopted in workplaces considered to be best practice but might actually be counter productive or not effective.

Chapter 6 starts the focus on the employee life cycle by looking at how workplace approach attracting, recruiting, developing, promoting and remunerating diverse talent.

Chapter 7 continues the focus on the employee life cycle by delving into discrimination and how different types shows up in the workplace plus routes for resolution.

Chapter 8 addresses the DEI pushback, how to navigate and gain buy in to push forward by making the business case, embracing data and getting recognition.

Chapter 9 is the conclusion. It summarises earlier chapters and provides further guidance on developing skills, knowledge, competencies and behaviours.