Monthly DEI learnings with Hayley

How to grow the habits of an inclusive leader

Jun 26, 2025

Hello everyone,

Welcome to this month’s round-up of articles, resources and reflections to help you stay grounded, thoughtful and practical in your inclusion work. From abortion leave policies to culture audits and mentorship pathways, this issue explores whether we should shift from talking about promoting psychological safety to psychological agency…

Thank you for reading, reflecting and sharing.

With care,

Hayley

Read & share the latest articles that have got me thinking 💭

🗓️ Lokki offers paid abortion leave in a push to reduce stigma

French startup Lokki introduced a two-day paid leave policy for abortions, with complete discretion for the employee. It came from a simple conversation about what it means to feel unsupported at work during a deeply personal experience.

🫳🏽 Easing the mental load of single parents at work

While policies may exist on paper, if the culture does not encourage openness or if there remains a stigma around single parenting, the support falls flat. Shout out to the single parents out there!

🕵🏽‍♀️ How to conduct a culture audit

Last month, the BBC pledged to take “immediate action” to address organisational failures, following the publication of an independent review of its corporate culture. An internal review can help companies to identify and address any cultural issues. But such exercises must be managed carefully if they are to provide valuable insights

📈 Achieve DEI Goals Without DEI Programs

This is something we have always practiced at HTVB, but it is becoming increasingly more important. When fairness is baked into systems and processes, you don't need a shiny one-off programme.

⚽️ Gareth Southgate on the importance of male mentorship

“There are brilliant mentoring schemes already, but too few know about them. Not enough young men access them.” Gareth says. I have found too that there are so many articles about the importance of mentoring but very few about how to be a good mentor or how to find one...

See our resources for this:

📌 How to find a mentor + 📌 How to ask someone to be your mentor

🤖 AI Update: A monthly update on the intersection of AI and DEI

🧠 UK government publishes guidance on responsible AI in HR

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) sets out practical steps for using AI in recruitment and HR. If you’re working on procurement or automation in hiring, this guide is a good starting point. It’s all about making sure human decisions stay human.

👀My new content

Inspired by the joy summer in the garden has brought me, this post aims to explores the daily mindset shifts that help inclusive leaders stay rooted. It’s gentle and reflective, but grounded in practice. (okay enough plant puns for now! 🌱)

Concept alert 🚨

“Psychological agency is the ability for us to decide how much of ourselves we bring to work, when we do it, who gets to experience our whole selves, and to what degree. We have the choice, agency and power to determine these conditions for ourselves.”

– Andrea Pérez-Maikkula and Jerad Green (these two folks coined this term, full credit goes to them for this concept and definition! read more here)

This concept introduces a powerful shift from asking “Is this a safe space?” to asking “Do I have the power to choose what I share, when and with whom?” 🔥

In a world where authenticity is often encouraged but not always supported, psychological agency puts decision-making back in the hands of the individual.

🧰 Resources for your Toolbox

a cat is playing with an apple laptop with the words research time written below it

🪴 Deloitte Research: 2025 Gen Z and Millennial Survey

Rising eco-anxiety, burnout and the demand for purpose are shaping what Gen Z and Millennials expect from employers. A useful overview for anyone rethinking your employee value proposition!

🕰️ Microsoft Research: Workers are now stuck in the infinite workday

Microsoft research confirms what many already feel. Without strong boundaries, digital work becomes never-ending. This is as much an inclusion issue as a wellbeing one.