Why Racial Equity Audits are Critical

Racial Equity Audits are (externally conducted) evaluations that assess and identify systemic bias and discrimination within the workplace. To have true accountability and accuracy, it is always best for these audits to be completed by unbiased third party law firms that are well educated on policies, procedures, and practices that could potentially counteract efforts to build inclusive and equitable workplaces.

These audits will analyze all parts of an organization from its recruiting, hiring, retention, promotion, and training strategies, as well as their respective metrics. Now, I don’t know about you, but if I’m asked about some of the challenges I’ve dealt with in the workplace, especially relating to race or gender, I know I would be way more comfortable being honest with a third-party who will keep my anonymity, as opposed to Shelly from HR who sits three feet away from me. So - experienced and unaffiliated third parties are the way to go!

These audits are crucial because they provide a realistic understanding of an organization’s value system, and whether or not the organization is truly operating within it. We’ve all seen how easy it is for a big company to post a black square on instagram, or use the #BlackLivesMatter hashtag, but what we don’t always see is how they choose to practice what they preach internally. These audits provide a direct opportunity for organizations to be able to quantify and measure their DEI efforts.?

However, conducting the audit is only the first step. The next and arguably more important step, is what the organization does with these findings. The ultimate goal of Racial Equity Audits is to solidify a strategic roadmap for organizations to continue to move towards becoming the most equity, inclusive, and diverse workplace possible.

Organizations that are already doing so will be able to showcase these audits and share their practices with other organizations to help them achieve the same results. Organizations that have work to do, will have that work cut out for them and a revised plan moving forward. These revised plans can look like adjusting pay equity, developing training or policies around equity and inclusion, or redesigning promotional practices to ensure equal access to vertical growth opportunities.?

Four Tips to help Organizations Conduct Racial Audits

1. Research and select an experienced and equipped law firm to conduct an organization-wide audit. Look for firms that have worked with similar organizations and can provide the insight and performance needed. A smaller startup may have different needs from a large international company.?
2. Be prepared to take active steps based on the findings of the audit. Set aside a budget to go towards implementing solutions that can solve any existing gaps.?
3. Follow the recommendations that are derived from the audit. Update policies and practices that are found to be exclusive or inequitable.??
4. Embed these audits into annual practices. By conducting these audits consistently, organizations will have greater transparency into the policies and practices that are working for their employees and will allow more opportunities for employees to have their voices heard.

For more tips on understanding and utilizing Racial Equity Audits, pre-order my book, The Inclusive Organization.?

The Inclusive Organization is an excellent 2023 gift for all employees!

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AUTHOR BIO: NETTA JENKINS

Netta Jenkins is a doctoral student and leading voice in the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging, Anti-Racism field whose soaring 250k+ LinkedIn audience engagement was doubtless a key factor in Forbes naming her as one of the?top 7 anti-racism consultants ?in the world. This led to her ground-breaking TEDx talk "Reimagining the Workplace ".

Currently, Netta is Vice President of Global Inclusion for Unqork, a technology organization and is an advisory board member for Betterment, an online investment company. Prior to Unqork, Netta created and executed strategy for five years as Vice President, Global Inclusion for IAC/InterActiveCorp (NASDAQ: IAC) tech and media brands with her research data driven knowledge. Netta is working with Marc Lore, former CEO, Walmart and NBA Owner of the Minnesota Timberwolves, to build the most inclusive city in America,?Telosa . A new city in the US hasn’t been built in over 100 years.?

An acclaimed author with a transformational book released and published by Wiley titled “The Inclusive Organization” that?is now available for pre-order on Amazon. Netta has a deep background in communications, leadership, and behavioral psychology.?

Netta has been advising corporations and audiences of all kinds for over 15 years on the most effective strategies to address organizational gaps in the workplace through?Holistic Inclusion Consulting . As a result, she was listed as 2020 Linkedin top voice and has won multiple awards for her impact on corporate and startup diversity.