b'ARTICLEDiscrimination: The unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people. Protection under the UK Equality Act 2010 exists against discrimination based onrace & ethnicity, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability marriage and civil partnership, or pregnancy and maternity An accessible guide to UK equality law,29%of and explanations of the 9 protected characteristic can be found here: linkrespondents reportedVeterinary surgeons shouldexperiencing be aware of and adhere todiscrimination in their workplaces. Equality law and should take steps to challenge unlawful discrimination, harassment and Efforts to develop inclusive workplaces victimisation where it arises. have benefits for all employees, not just those from marginalised groups. There is Covert or subtle discrimination can takestrong evidence that inclusive workplaces the form of microaggressions,implicitperform better, retain staff and are more bias (attitudes or stereotypes), tokenism,profitable. Teams in which speaking exclusion and cultural appropriation.up is encouraged have safer patient Unlike overt, explicit and obviousoutcomes.discrimination, subtle discrimination is often indirect, unintentional, or hiddenLGBTQ+ Communitywithin everyday interactions andLGBTQ+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, behaviours. Both types of discriminationtransgender, and queer and more. Many directly affect the mental and physicalpeople and organisations use LGBTQ+ wellbeing of individuals and have aas a catch-all term for the non-cisgender broader negative impact on teamand non-straight community, but the cohesion, patient care, and overallacronym varies depending on culture and workplace morale.style. You should not make assumptions about a transgender or non-binary SOBERING STATISTIC: persons transition goals, feelings of The Voice of the Veterinary Professiongender dysphoria, current anatomy, Survey 2021, found 29% of respondentsexperience with misogyny or how they reported experiencing discriminationwere socialised growing up based on their in their workplaces. The most commongender identity, and/or assigned sex at forms of discrimination were genderbirth. discrimination and racial discrimination.Over a third of LGBTQ+ people still feel The perpetrators of discriminationthey have to hide who they are at work. incidents were managers, seniorThis means they have to watch what they colleagues, clients and other colleagues.say, what they do, and where they apply. Source: BVA discrimination reportIts crucial that LGBTQ+ people have the The Oxford Dictionary definesallyasame opportunities as everyone else toas unlock their potential in their careers, and person or an organisation that activelyleaders can play a part by creating safe supports the rights of a marginalisedspaces in which everyone can thrive.group without being a member of it.Allies show consistent, continuousSOBERING STATISTICcommitment to change even whenThe incidence of discrimination is higher it is personally and professionallyamongst vets from a range of minority inconvenient. Allyship can be used asethnic backgrounds, and more than a tool to foster inclusive workplaces. www.inspiredvet.co.uk13'