As you establish the group, it is important to build a business case or Terms of Reference (ToR), initially to achieve organisational acceptance so that you can meet regularly and make use of facilities for your group, for instance use of rooms, notice boards in house and online, and then formal recognition and integration within the organisation’s diversity framework.
Formal recognition and integration can bring significant benefits to the group and to the organisation. As already indicated, employers are increasingly of the view that if people are able to bring to work all their personal attributes, along with their skills, then the workplace will be enriched. As a result and as a response to legislation, employers are increasingly encouraging the setting up of staff networks also known as employee resource groups to promote diversity in the workplace. This ought to include faith groups and in particular for us, Christian Workplace Groups.
It is important that prior to approaching senior managers a strong business case is prepared, to explain exactly what you are asking of managers, and the reasons why they should agree formal recognition of the group. To do this will require a coherent understanding of:
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What the group will do
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What benefits the group will bring to the organisation
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What the group’s attitude is to other diversity groups
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How the group will work with other network groups
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What the group would like from the organisation
Each of these questions is further explored in the following sections.
Challenge:
Create a business case (ToR) for setting up a Christian Workplace Group - you can use the following questions to help you in this but please write down your answers and discuss as a team.
a. Write down the name of the Christian Workplace Group:
Decide what name you are going to give to your group. Keep it simple and make sure that the name is acceptable to the organisation and that it is inclusive to all Christians. It should capture the spirit of what the group is trying to do. If you need some ideas, have a look on the
Transform Work website connect page at some of the names of other Christian Workplace Groups have given to themselves.
b. What are the aims and objectives of the group?
Decide what you want to do as a group and in particular, develop clear aims and objectives. It is useful to think about what you want to achieve and what steps are needed to get there. Whilst these may change as the group develops, it is important at the outset to identify what your key aims are. This is helpful when seeking the support of managers and in telling other colleagues what this group is all about. You will need to work out these objectives according to your situation, but there are perhaps three rules of thumb to follow:
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Don’t have too many objectives (Maximum of 3-5)
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Keep them simple
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Near the top of the list have an objective which states the commitment of the group to support the organisation
For example, the group aims and objectives might include the following:
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serve the organisation faithfully
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share the Christian faith with others
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provide an opportunity for colleagues to learn about the Christian faith
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encourage Christians to be themselves at work
Several examples of aims and objectives drawn up by different groups are given in section 8 of the
booklet Starting a Christian Workplace Group.
c) How will the group operate?
Where and how often will the group meet?
The frequency and location of group meetings
What activities will the group undertake? (both during and outside meetings)
How will the group advertise its activities?
d) What does the group want from the organisation?
This will vary from group to group, but suggestions include:
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A time and place to meet
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Opportunities to meet occasionally with Senior Managers/HR
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Channels and opportunities to contribute to the organisation
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Resources, e.g. photocopying, materials
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Agreement for newsletters, posters and other communication channels such as e-mail and an intranet page
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Agreement for celebrating Christian events e.g. Christmas, Easter
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Funding, where possible
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Agreed time for the leader to spend on leadership activities
Challenge:
Discuss the information written down in this section with your team.
Now pray about it and ask God what you should do.
| What is God saying, at the start of this process take time to listen. |
| Tips on how to find other Christians in your workplace |
| Who will lead? What roles are needed? |
| All equality, diversity and inclusion frameworks, principles, policies and
procedures of any organisation are first and foremost governed by the Equality Act 2010 |
| Now you've understood Diversity, Equality and Inclusion, hopefully you are ready to learn about being a recognised group called a Staff Network or Employee Resource Group. Find out more |
| How and why your group should engage with management |
| Frequency, time and venue, agenda, leaders and supporting leaders... |
| This is one of the most important roles of a Christian Workplace Group. Let your light shine so they can see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven. |
| Christian Workplace Groups can be at several stages of development and knowing where your particular group is can help in the process of achieving employer recognition. |
| Watch this short video as Matt explains how the Christian Workplace Group started in a local authority in Oxfordshire.
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