Ep 268 - Workplace Inclusion: Two Steps Forward, One Step Back

When we talk about diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace, it’s easy to focus on metrics, reporting, and representation targets. But what happens when the data improves — and yet employees from underrepresented groups still don’t feel fully included at work?

In this episode of The HR Room Podcast, we explore the latest findings from Elevate, the Inclusive Workplace Pledge led by Business in the Community Ireland. The conversation examines the gap between progress on paper and the lived experiences of employees across Irish workplaces.

Mary and Dave are joined by special guest Richa Tyagi, who leads the Elevate campaign at Business in the Community Ireland. Together, they discuss how organisations can drive meaningful, structural change around inclusion, belonging and equity.

 

Guest

• Richa Tyagi — Lead, Elevate Inclusive Workplace Pledge, Business in the Community Ireland

 

Topics include:

• Why diversity data collection matters
• The gap between representation metrics and lived employee experience
• Structural barriers in recruitment, progression and leadership pathways
• ender representation and the challenges women face progressing to senior leadership roles
• Systemic barriers facing Ireland’s Traveller community in education and employment
• Progress and challenges for LGBTQI+ inclusion in Irish workplaces
• The role HR leaders can play in driving organisational change and accountability
• Upcoming pay transparency legislation and its impact on workplace equality
• Why leadership ownership and evidence-based action are essential for meaningful progress

 

Key Takeaways for HR Leaders

• Collecting diversity data is important — but organisations must use it to drive action and decision-making.
• Inclusion must be embedded at leadership and board level, not treated as a standalone HR initiative.
• Psychological safety is essential if employees are to feel comfortable disclosing aspects of their identity.
• Organisations should examine where underrepresented groups are being filtered out of progression pathways.
• Structural inequality remains a major issue for Ireland’s Traveller community and requires proactive action from employers.
• HR leaders must challenge assumptions, address bias and advocate for accountability at senior leadership level.

Resources

• The Elevate Pledge 2026 Annual Report
• More about Elevate: The Inclusive Workplace Pledge
• More about Business in the Community Ireland

Get in Touch

If you’re not already following us on LinkedIn, please do.

If you have suggestions for future episodes, or if you’d like to join us as a guest, reach out to Dave Corkery at dcorkery@insighthr.ie or connect with him on LinkedIn.

To learn more about Elevate and the Inclusive Workplace Pledge, visit Business in the Community Ireland.

 

About The HR Room Podcast

The HR Room Podcast is brought to you by Insight HR — where we speak with HR leaders, experts and practitioners across Ireland about the issues shaping the world of work today.

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