The Power of Inclusive Policies
Workplace policies are an often overlooked element of the DEI picture; once the basics of legal compliance, risk management and key information have been covered, many organisations let these vital documents gather dust in their server or employee handbook.
But the reality is, policies are so much more than simple fact sheets. They are a powerful way of connecting your organisation’s mission and culture to your people, to bring inclusion to the forefront of every interaction. They can show your people that you’ve thought about them as individuals with full and varied lives, and that you want to support them at work.
For example, including religious and cultural dress or hairstyles in your dress code policy celebrates diversity of ethnicities and heritages, while replacing maternity and paternity leave with parental leave promotes gender equity.
Setting the standard
One client who is well attuned to the importance of getting policies right is electric train operator, Lumo. We spoke to their People & Culture Manager, Lindsay Gauntlett, about why it matters to them.
“Inclusive policies are essential to Lumo because they reflect our commitment to creating a workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and supported, regardless of their background, identity, or life experience,” says Lindsay. “By removing pronouns, using a gender neutral and equality-focused approach, and writing in a modern, friendly Q&A format, we ensure our policies are accessible and relevant to all colleagues.”
Lindsay outlined the impact of having inclusive policies:
Fostering belonging: Everyone should feel they have a place at Lumo. Inclusive policies help us build a culture where diversity is celebrated and inclusion is the norm.
Promoting fairness: Clear, unbiased procedures ensure that all colleagues are treated equitably and consistently.
Encouraging daily use and improvement: By making policies easy to understand and talk about, we empower teams to use them regularly and suggest updates that reflect real experiences.
Supporting all ways of life: Our policies are designed to be flexible and considerate of different lifestyles, identities, and needs.
Leading by example: As a modern employer, Lumo sets the standard for inclusivity in the transport sector and beyond.
And as for Lumo’s culture? Internally, the inclusive policies have helped create a more open, respectful, and supportive culture. With colleagues feeling more confident navigating policies that are easy to understand and reflect the real-life situations that they might encounter, Lumo has seen greater engagement with the policies as a result.
“It’s led to better conversations, and a stronger sense of belonging across the business,” says Lindsay.
So successful is their approach to inclusive policy writing that Lumo’s policies have been used as a foundation by other businesses looking to modernise their own frameworks. This evidences that these quality pieces of work don’t just benefit Lumo’s people, they set a standard that others want to follow. Lumo has over 100 colleagues, 73% of whom have been recruited through an apprenticeship pathway, and with plans to double its workforce in light of new routes starting in 2026, is well positioned to support all its new joiners from day one with these inclusive policies.
A best practice example
Lumo’s policies go beyond a legalistic outlook; they’re accessible, employee-centric, and clearly reflect the organisation’s values and culture. At the Clear Company we’re always pleased to see such positive examples, as they have a real impact on employee experience, supporting colleagues through different work and life events while ensuring no group is adversely affected. With a constantly changing landscape and evolving employee needs, we acknowledge the importance of employer offers being pragmatic, however, policies must remain supportive. We encourage all organisations to treat policies as living documents that are regularly reviewed and updated, rather than one-off exercises.
For expert support on rewriting your policies, best practice templates or full suite audits, get in touch on enquiries@theclearcompany.co.uk.