Our Commitments ~ A Focused Journey for Spell
We are committed to ensuring the unique lived experiences and perspectives of our local and global community are acknowledged and championed; it’s these lived experiences and perspectives that form the tapestry of our organisation.
We strive to build and nurture a business culture that is open, honest, and inclusive.
We understand that a diverse and inclusive culture does not happen without effort and commitment to continuous learning. We acknowledge our responsibility to play an active role in dismantling the racial, physical, mental, sexual and gender inequalities in our society, and we take our responsibility as modern story tellers seriously, striving to always represent a broad spectrum of community in our messaging – from age, race, ability to gender identity and beyond.
OUR ACTIONS AND COMMITMENTS:
1. Continuing robust learning with experts in Diversity and Inclusion + D&I Board
We are employing experts across a spectrum of fields within the D&I space, so that we may operate from a best practice framework. We are engaging in facilitated learning across different areas and functionalities within our business. In 2020 we took steps to create a Diversity and Inclusion Board (approaching members in our community who offered expertise in race, gender, disability status etc) however this has been put on hold as we have prioritized more learning, engaging in a robust protocol with experts on Diversity & Inclusion infrastructure within our business.
2. Implementing a Reconciliation Action Plan
Respect, educate and immerse ourselves in the culture of our First Nations Peoples and continually explore how we can honour the traditions and creativity from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. The Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) program contributes to advancing the National Reconciliation movement by supporting organisations to develop respectful relationships and create meaningful opportunities with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We have formed our RAP working group and are in the 1st stage of our RAP which is the ‘REFLECT’ stage. This stage can take up to 18 months to complete, and we are using this time to reflect, produce and implement an immediate action plan. This plan is underway and will be made public shortly.
3. Policy Updates
Update and continuously revise our policies to ensure they reflect progressive, inclusive views;
- Implement Code of Conduct that incorporates and recognises the Traditional Owners.
- Review and publish our Modern Slavery Policy/Statement. Although this is a voluntary statement, we have followed the structure outlined by the Australian Modern Slavery Statement Act legislation.
- Update Anti Discrimination/Anti Bullying and EEO Policy.
- Incorporate a recruitment framework outside of our usual recruiting processes that enables us to connect with talent within local communities that include Indigenous groups, those with disabilities and transgender, thus working to improve diversity of candidate pipeline for all roles, and foster a recruitment process that does not include systemic barriers to entry for people from underrepresented groups.
- Work toward completing Cultural Awareness Workplace Accreditation.
- Implemented an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to encourage our team to acknowledge the importance of checking in on their mental health, mood, resilience and emotional intelligence and support those who experience personal hardships.
A note from founders on use of the term ‘sisters’ in our communication.
As we continue to learn in areas of Diversity and Inclusion, language is very important. Over the years our Spell community have often used the words ‘sisters’ when speaking about each other. We adopted the term for one of our Facebook groups, ‘Spell Sisters’ and sometimes use the term in general communication. Our founders Isabella and Elizabeth are sisters and the kindred relationship between them has been a big part of the founding of this brand. However, the term, when used by our brand is extended to all our community regardless of gender identity.