The Business Disability Forum (BDF) delves into the concept of “purple washing” in its latest discussion paper and podcast, released as part of its ‘Disability Today’ series.
- “Purple washing” refers to companies outwardly supporting disability inclusion without substantive internal practices.
- The phenomenon of “purple hushing,” where businesses refrain from promoting good practices, is also discussed.
- Experts debate whether improving business reputations through disability inclusion is beneficial even if practices are not perfect.
- Key statistics highlight that genuine disability-inclusive organisations perform better financially.
The Business Disability Forum (BDF) has initiated an essential conversation on ‘purple washing’, a practice where businesses claim to advocate for disability inclusion but fail to implement meaningful actions or policies. This is highlighted in their latest discussion paper and podcast part of the ‘Disability Today’ series.
The term ‘purple washing’ describes the superficial efforts made by some organisations to appear supportive of disability inclusion. This can lead to the neglect of necessary practices that actually improve conditions for disabled individuals within the workplace.
In parallel, ‘purple hushing’ is a concerning trend where businesses do not promote or share their successful strategies in disability inclusion, thus missing opportunities to set industry standards and drive broader change.
BDF’s CEO, Diane Lightfoot, emphasises the need for businesses to act rather than remain silent. She also stresses the importance of ‘progress, not perfection’, suggesting that waiting for flawless systems might hinder meaningful advancements.
The podcast features experts like Peter Torres Fremlin and Birgit Neu, who discuss the implications of prioritising reputation over authentic action. Fremlin points out that the gap between promised commitments and reality can harm the very people these policies are intended to support.
Moreover, the paper addresses the significant impact of these practices: organisations that truly embed disability-inclusive practices outshine their peers with a 28% higher revenue, as demonstrated by studies such as Accenture’s ‘Getting To Equal’. Additionally, workplace diversity is a significant draw for job seekers, with over three-quarters preferring diverse employers.
Business Disability Forum advises that companies should focus on actionable steps rather than merely promoting their efforts. Employing disabled individuals across various roles and making necessary workplace adjustments can ensure they work effectively.
Transparency and authenticity in communications and operations are crucial for building trust with employees and customers. The BDF urges organisations to incrementally build on current successes without waiting for perfect solutions.
The ‘Disability Today’ podcast series aims to centre disabled people’s voices in discussions about ongoing and future challenges, ensuring they are not overlooked in broader societal debates.
Through addressing issues of ‘purple washing’ and ‘purple hushing’, businesses can achieve greater inclusivity and financial success by prioritising genuine practices.
