Women in PR event to tackle workplace toxicity

Toxic environments and cultural bias will be a focus of this week’s Women in PR event. Taking place tomorrow (Thursday 12 November) 16.00-17.30, and featuring a panel of industry professionals chaired by WPR and Hera Communication Strategies founder Anna Geffert, the event will also launch a related WPR and Opinium survey of workplace issues.

Alongside the problems wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic on workplace culture this year, the pernicious challenges of racism, sexism, ageism, cliques, favouritism, nepotism and social class bias continue. Discussing this as part of the Women in PR event panel will be BME PR Pros and Blueprinted founder Elizabeth Bananuka, Creative Equals CEO and founder Ali Hanan, Arqiva chief people officer Vivian Leinster, Halo psychology founder and director Hayley Lewis, and Brands with Values managing director and BAME2020 founder Adrian Walcott.

The launching WPR survey will also aim to address toxic behaviours in the workplace, with plans for it to eventually become part of a charter to drive sustainable change.

‘If the professional progression of women and those from underrepresented groups in the PR industry has any hope of changing, it is vital to challenge and remove the outdated cultural barriers that still exist and hold people back,’ said Anna Geffert of the aims of the event.

‘We expect the discussion at this event to be candid and open, which could make for some potentially difficult realisations about our industry’s working practices. This is not an issue which can be solved in an evening, this change is an evolutionary process. Harassment and unfair treatment in workplaces across the communications industry is something that simply cannot be ignored any longer.’

Register to attend the Women in PR event on 12 November here.

Vuelio is proud to be an official sponsor of Women in PR, supporting their events and work.