Hello all and welcome to EmbRace.  My name is Pooja Bagga, proud sponsor of our new cultural diversity network, EmbRace. You recently voted for a new name to replace the BAME Network and we listened. EmbRace was the winning name by 68% and we are so excited to start our new journey with you all. EmbRace demonstrates inclusivity and diversity at the same time. It brings people together from all backgrounds, race and ethnicity, as one.

Royal Mail Group serves a diverse mix of communities across the UK and we need to mirror that in how we operate by providing support to all colleagues including those, often underrepresented, ethnic minority groups.

Our ambition is to create a positive and uplifting work environment, where everyone feels at ease, is treated fairly and can access opportunities to realise their full potential.

We are a melting pot of unique individuals which is something to be hugely proud of and EmbRace.

Why EmbRace?

EmbRace started as the BAME network. The network committed to promoting equality and support for colleagues from a diverse background to succeed and bring their full authentic selves to work.

As part of Royal Mail’s commitment to racial equality, we have signed up to the BITC (Business in the Community) Race at Work Charter.  This challenges us to promote race equality in the workplace and ensure ethnic minority employees are represented at all levels of the organisation.

Although the BAME Network has been around for a long time, the last 12 months saw a big shift. Following the tragic death of George Floyd and renewed vigour in the Black Lives Matter movement, the network challenged itself to:

• Increase its membership
• Clarify its strategic goals
• And grow visibility of the network throughout the organisation.

The name EmbRace (as the network is now known) was voted for by its members, following a number of criticisms which sparked government recommendations to stop using the term BAME. While BAME has historically been a useful term for measuring an organisation’s Racial Diversity, and provide a platform (where none existed), it has now run its course. In addition, some communities felt they were not uniquely represented by this terminology.

In line with the BITC Race Charter, EmbRace demonstrates our positive commitment to promoting equality and inclusion for all and supporting colleagues from a diverse background to succeed and bring their full authentic selves to work.

Our network is consistently growing.

To find out more about EmbRace join the group on Workplace.

Standing for all

We’re committed to equality and inclusion and have collectively established our network’s purpose.

EmbRace is the embodiment of all races. We come together to celebrate the eclectic mix of our culturally diverse communities, and the vital contribution we make to Royal Mail Group and society at large.  We embrace promoting equality and belonging for everyone.  We actively seek recognition and progression opportunities for our ethnic minority colleagues.  Collectively, it’s our differences and unique contributions that make Royal Mail Group an organisation where we are proud to work. 

Our goal

We aim to create a positive and uplifting work environment, where everyone feels at ease, is treated fairly and can access opportunities to realise their full potential. 

We’ve identified a number of improvements which can help the business to define a clear strategy for EmbRace across four areas: Communication, Training and Development, HR and Recruitment, and Wellbeing.

What we will do as a network

We will educate, inspire, and update colleagues on developments within the network and work closely with other groups within Royal Mail to meet our goals and effect positive change.

Look out for our:

• Quarterly online newsletter
• Posts on Workplace featuring inspirational stories education and fun
• Features on RMTV, Courier and MyRoyalMail.com

Royal Mail EmbRaces everyone

Watford postwoman, Amira Rahmoune, recorded a special rap to celebrate the launch of EmbRace. Click here to visit Workplace to see Amira in action.

 Join the EmbRace Network on Workplace today to keep up to date.