Diversity Is Easy, But Is Inclusion Really Practiced At Your Workplace?

Have you ever walked into a room and felt like you didn’t truly belong? This is a feeling many of us have experienced, but for some, it is a daily reality.

2 in 5 (39%) ethnic minorities have felt some kind of discrimination based on their race.

Over 1 in 4 (29%) feel that their race or ethnicity has been a factor in not getting a job they've applied for.

Caught Between Cultures

As an Indian born in the UK, I’ve previously felt a subtle, invisible bias at work - one that’s not obvious but always present. It's the little things - the side comments, the funny looks that left me questioning where I truly fit in.

My parents were born in Africa, my grandparents were born in India. Growing up in the UK, I found myself torn between two worlds.

At school, I was too Indian to feel fully at ease with my friends, but too westernised to fully connect with my family. This tug-of-war left me feeling constantly “in-between”—never fully fitting in anywhere.

The Early Signs of Bias

Looking back, I can trace the first signs of that sense of not belonging all the way to primary school. Take lunchtime, for example, my parents would pack me Indian food, which I thought was completely normal. But to the other kids in the canteen, it was different—“smelly” or “yucky,” they’d say.

I’d sit there, the laughter ringing in my ears, and come home to my parents, only for them to find my lunch completely untouched. Each time, a small piece of my self-confidence chipped away.

Isolated in the Workplace

Fast-forward to today, and that sense of not quite fitting in hasn’t disappeared. At work, there have been times when I held back—not because I didn't want to engage, but because I didn't feel completely accepted.

It’s not a choice, it’s a defence mechanism. When you’re aware of being “different,” you retreat a little when you don’t feel welcomed.

It’s subtle, though. The bias at work isn’t the loud, flagrant kind of racism we can call out. The colleague who avoids eye contact. The name you’ve corrected a dozen times that’s still mispronounced. The invitations to social events that never seem to include you because, well, “you wouldn’t be interested.” It all adds up, and it all stings.

The Silent Weight of Microaggressions

Those small acts—often brushed off as “nothing”—are called microaggressions. They may seem insignificant to those who don’t experience them, but over time, they wear you down. Slowly, they erode your confidence and sense of belonging.

People don’t always mean harm, but that doesn’t make it any easier to bear. And when you try to explain it, it often gets dismissed—"You're overreacting," they say. But for those of us who feel it every day, it’s a constant reminder that, despite our best efforts, we’re not fully accepted.

Inclusion Over Diversity

So, why does all of this matter? Because workplaces should be spaces where everyone feels valued, heard, and able to contribute fully.

When people feel isolated or overlooked, it takes a toll on their confidence, creativity, and motivation. Diversity is great, but it’s only effective when inclusion is part of the deal.

A 2022 study by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) revealed that 35% of minority ethnic workers felt less confident at work after experiencing racism, and 31% reported negative effects on their mental health.

Without true inclusion, diversity is just a box to tick.

Small Changes, Big Impact

The good news is that real change doesn’t always require grand gestures. It’s the small things that make a huge difference. We all have biases—we can’t avoid them. But what we can do is be more mindful of how our words and actions affect others.

It could be something as simple as learning to pronounce someone's name correctly or inviting them to a casual after-work hangout. These small acts can make someone feel valued and seen.

Let's Take Time to Reflect

I’ve learned that meaningful change doesn’t happen overnight. It begins with conversations like this one, with reflecting on our own biases, and with taking small actions to make a difference.

So, here’s my challenge to you: think about the subtle biases, big or small, that might exist in your workplace. Even if you're unaware of them, reflect on how you can make a colleague feel more included.

Together, we can create a space where everyone truly feels they belong. And that starts with each of us taking one small step at a time.