Episode Eighteen - Why family inclusion matters

Diverse Talk Matters

Diverse Talk Matters
Episode Eighteen - Why family inclusion matters
Apr 16, 2025 Season 3 Episode 18
Diverse Matters

In this episode of Diverse Talk Matters, Natasha Broomfield-Reid is joined by Jane van Zyl, Chief Executive of Working Families โ€“ the UKโ€™s leading work-life balance charity working to remove the barriers faced by working parents and carers.

Jane and Tash discuss the wide range of support offered by Working Families, including their free legal advice line, which helps working parents and carers understand and assert their workplace rights. They explore how the charity works directly with employers to create truly flexible and family-friendly environments, and how this benefits all employees โ€“ not just those with caring responsibilities.

This episode dives into key themes including:

  •  The importance of flexible working for individuals and organisations
  •  Insights from the Working Families Index and what it tells us about modern working life
  •  Equalising parental leave and providing better support for dads
  •  Enhancing workplace policies for adoption, fostering, and surrogacy
  •  Why job design, line manager training, and leadership culture are essential for embedding flexibility
  •  The small changes organisations can make that have a big impact
  •  Advocating for policy change based on lived experience and best practice

 ๐Ÿ“… The significance of National Work Life Week in promoting better work-life balance

Jane brings a wealth of practical insight into whatโ€™s working, what needs to change, and how organisations can take meaningful steps towards becoming more inclusive and supportive for all working families.

Whether you're a business leader, HR professional, line manager or someone balancing work and care, this episode offers valuable takeaways to help drive positive change.


To find out more about the services available from Diverse Matters please visit www.diversematters.co.uk

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Episode Artwork Episode Eighteen - Why family inclusion matters 41:09 Episode Artwork Episode Seventeen - How Can Black Women Show Up Authentically? 53:40 Episode Artwork Episode Sixteen - LGBT+ Inclusion in Schools-Education 1:12:36 Episode Artwork Episode Fifteen - Women in the Shade, Black Women in Uniformed Services 44:19 Episode Artwork Episode Fourteen : Trans Inclusion 56:30 Episode Artwork Episode Thirteen - Menopause and Nutrition 45:10 Episode Artwork Episode 12 - Bi Inclusion 1:12:24 Episode Artwork Episode Eleven - Banter in the Workplace 44:44 Episode Artwork Episode Ten - How ESG aligns with EDI and Wellness 41:54 Episode Artwork Episode Nine - Anti Racist Practices in Domestic Abuse Services 38:21 Episode Artwork Episode Eight - Staff Networks 47:27 Episode Artwork Episode Seven - Understanding Intersectionality in the Workplace 33:07 Episode Artwork Episode Six - Deaf Inclusion 52:41 Episode Artwork Episode Five - ADHD and Me 29:45 Episode Artwork Episode Four - Lunar New Year and ESEA Traditions 52:07 Episode Artwork Episode Three - Age Inclusion - Why it matters 35:25 Episode Artwork Episode Two - Inclusive Language 40:53 Episode Artwork Episode One - Disability and Language 42:16