Allyship

An ally is an individual who is not a member of a particular under-represented group themselves, but who uses their power, voice and privilege to support that group (or multiple groups) – be that people from the LGBTQ+ community, women, older people, people from an ethnic minority background or those with a disability. Allyship is all about valuing people from different backgrounds and learning about their lived experiences, so that we can stand in solidarity with them and ensure they are heard, seen and valued. Being an ally is an active and ongoing process, and action can be taken at all levels, such as challenging in the moment to supporting individuals who are on the receiving end of micro-incivilities and providing feedback to perpetrators of inappropriate behaviour. This course explains what it means to be an effective ally and shows how workplace allies can help tackle things like micro-aggressions, bullying, harassment and other inappropriate behaviour, and help to make the workplace more equitable and inclusive.