Equalities officers – also known by other job titles, such as equality (or equity), diversity and inclusion (EDI) officers or advisers – support their employer with promoting diversity, equality and inclusion. Their role is to ensure compliance with equality legislation, create inclusive environments, and address discrimination and inequality, so that all employees feel valued and supported as individuals to succeed at work.
Under the Equality Act 2010 it is against the law (in most cases) to discriminate against someone in employment, in education or training or in relation to service provision because of a ‘protected characteristic’; these are age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. In addition, our basic rights and freedoms are protected through the Human Rights Act 1998.
Organisations are becoming increasingly aware that in order to maximise their success they need to go beyond the basic legal requirements and strive for an environment where difference is viewed positively and where all employees feel safe and supported as individuals and are actively encouraged to reach their full potential at work.
In this article we’ll examine in more detail the sort of work you might do as an equalities officer, the skills you need and how you might get into this area of work.
What does an equalities officer do?
Your exact role will depend on the nature and size of your employer, and the level at which you operate. Your focus might range from supporting people from minority groups who face discrimination to developing EDI policies. You might have a broad-based role (as is often the case in a relatively small organisation) or specialise in a particular strand, such as disability or LGBTQIA+.
As an equalities officer you would use your knowledge of equality and human rights legislation to ensure that your employer works within the law. Your work could also include:
- Providing guidance and advice, eg on how to achieve a diverse workforce where all employees feel their ideas and perspectives are valued
- Promoting best practice in order to bring about positive change
- Identifying equality issues and responding to complaints or concerns
- Monitoring and reviewing EDI policies, procedures and initiatives
- Delivering presentations to report on progress or to raise awareness of issues, such as unconscious bias
- Identifying training needs and running workshops etc for staff and other stakeholders
- Gathering and analysing information, maintaining records, writing reports and making recommendations
- Working with and/or referring to external bodies and community groups
TIP: Keep up to date with legislation, and equality and diversity issues by reading relevant journals and news items. You can find useful information online and by following relevant bodies such as the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), Employers Network for Equality & Inclusion, Office for Equality and Opportunity and Equally Ours (formerly the Equality and Diversity Forum).
Where could I work as an equalities officer?
The main employers are in the public sector – local authorities, NHS Trusts, central government departments and agencies, police forces and organisations in the criminal justice system, for instance. Equalities officers are also employed by universities and colleges, housing associations, professional bodies and trade unions.
There are opportunities within charities and organisations that are specifically concerned with EDI issues, such as racial equality councils and the EHRC.
Private sector companies also recruit equalities officers. Sometimes staff have responsibility for EDI as part of a wider human resources or other role.
Equalities officers may work in a centralised EDI team or be based in specific departments.
TIP: To get an idea about the jobs available, have a look at EDI vacancies with potential employers, through specialist recruitment sites (like DiversityLink.co.uk and d&i Leaders), and on more general public/voluntary sector job sites (eg Jobs Go Public, LGJobs and CharityJob). If you network with people working in EDI, they may be able to alert you to available opportunities.
Would I suit a career as an equalities officer?
Along with a strong desire to promote EDI, you need a range of other skills and abilities.
Equalities officers have to be able to relate to a wide range of people, build trust and develop good relationships with stakeholders and decision makers. Very good written and oral communication skills are required, as well as the ability to listen, keep an open mind, negotiate and influence others.
You must be a confident and resilient person, able to adapt to different situations, use your initiative and work well within a team.
For some roles project management skills are useful. You certainly need to be an organised person and able to analyse information.
Depending on the role, you may need to undergo background checks through the Disclosure and Barring Service in England/Wales or Disclosure Scotland.
Morrisby Profile assessments can help you gain insight into how your aptitudes, interests, and personality align with various careers, including working in this area of work. Find out more about our Morrisby Pass (includes assessments and a 60-minute session with a qualified careers professional).
How can I become an equalities officer?
There are no set entry routes, but employers often look for graduates and sometimes those with training and experience in areas such as education, human resources, housing, law or social work. Where a degree is required, any discipline is usually acceptable, but subjects like psychology, business, youth and community work or law, may be helpful. For entry to higher education you need A level/Higher or equivalent-level qualifications.
There are relevant full- and part-time master’s degree courses, eg in EDI, human rights or disability studies. These are mainly aimed at graduates and may be particularly useful if you have an unrelated undergraduate degree.
TIP: Research the entry requirements and content of university courses carefully. You can find information through individual universities and via UCAS and Prospects.
Employers usually look for people who have suitable experience as this demonstrates commitment to EDI and an understanding of the work and the challenges associated with it. You can gain paid or unpaid experience in EDI through a work placement (perhaps as part of a sandwich course), an internship, work shadowing, or even through a temporary or permanent position in a support role within an EDI or human resources team.
TIP: Think broadly about ways you can gain experience. Apart from working in an EDI role (as described above) you could get involved in EDI issues through societies or committees at your college or university, or with your employer or union. Paid or voluntary work in the community, especially in a welfare-related position, will also be valuable as it can bring you into contact with a broad range of people and help you to develop useful skills.
It's possible to gain a suitable background for EDI work by undertaking formal training in the workplace. This could be through an apprenticeship or graduate development scheme, although you are more likely to train in the broader area of human resources rather than specifically to be an equalities officer.
Another way of finding out more about EDI is to do a part-time or online course. Various qualifications can be gained in this way, such as the Level 2 Certificate in Equality and Diversity, which is suitable for those in or seeking employment.
Once working in EDI, whilst much of your learning is likely to be on the job, your employer may encourage you to attend conferences and external courses on specific topics (eg on negotiation skills, equality impact assessments, community engagement or intersectionality) and, of course it will be important to keep up to date with relevant legislation. Workshops are available through Equality & Diversity UK, Acas, Diverse Matters and other organisations.
What opportunities are there to progress?
It’s possible to gain promotion to more responsible positions, such as management roles where you might oversee projects and develop policies. You may need to change employers in order to take advantage of development opportunities.
After gaining some generalist experience some equalities officers decide to specialise in a particular area of work, although this is also possible early in a career.
Your employer may support you to gain further relevant qualifications, such as a master’s degree (if you don’t already have one) or qualifications in human resources through the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). This may improve your career prospects.
With significant experience you could set yourself up as a self-employed consultant offering advice and training on EDI issues to all sorts of organisations.
TIP: Joining a professional body, such as the CIPD, which offers different levels of membership, including for students, can give you the chance to network and take advantage of development opportunities.
How can I find out more about a career as an equalities officer?
Information for graduates can be found through Prospects and targetjobs. An equalities officer career profile is available on the National Careers Service website, and an equality and diversity officer profile through Careers Wales.
Useful information on EDI in general can be found through the various organisations mentioned in this article, including the CIPD.
Finally…
If you decide that working directly on EDI issues isn’t for you or if you find it difficult securing employment in this area, explore related careers where you use similar skills and can develop your experience.
Competition for jobs, particularly your first role, is strong, so you will put yourself in the best position possible by following the advice and tips given in this article.
Debbie Steel, December 2024
With a background working with apprentices and teaching in further education, Debbie was employed as an in-house careers author before establishing herself as a freelancer. As well as co-authoring numerous careers books, Debbie has produced resources and web content for a range of high-profile clients. She is an enthusiastic proponent of impartial and reliable careers information, and a member of the Careers Writers Association and Career Development Institute.
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