Industry must work harder to dismantle prejudice, says iCAN

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The network is asking senior leaders in insurance to use their position to implement change

The Insurance Cultural Awareness Network (iCAN) has called on the industry to work harder to address and dismantle prejudices.

It said that “by actively being anti-racist we can turn rhetoric into action”.

“For our black colleagues in the industry we feel your pain and we hear your voices. Ingrained prejudice and racism of society is completely unacceptable and has been allowed to continue for far too long.”

The network is continuing raise awareness among senior leaders across the insurance sector and urging them to use their position of privilege to implement vital change in workplace.

It is also in the process of putting together a three-part guide to help facilitate senior executive decision maker, diversity and inclusion leaders, employee resource group leaders, allies, and individuals with the push for change.

The guide will contain practical advice on how action can be taken.

The network’s statement on Black Lives Matter follows the death of George Floyd and the subsequent protests worldwide.

Racism is everyone’s fight

The statement continued: “We all need to put in the often hard and uncomfortable work of addressing and dismantling our own prejudices. By actively being anti-racist we can turn rhetoric into action.

”At iCAN we support you however you choose to further the Black Lives movement. Whether it is through education, dialogue with senior leadership, broader employee engagement techniques, use of inclusive language and imagery, or sharing of the best practices.”

It said that it continues to address racial inequality and social injustice as a network and one of the ways that it achieves this is by advancing those with ethnic minority backgrounds within insurance.

“Now in particular is a time to deliver on our commitment to make this a reality. The fight against racisms is everyone’s fight. It is essential work and we are here for you if you need support or to have conversations in a safe and supportive space.”