Allyship at Work
Allyship is about more than good intentions. It means actively supporting colleagues who may face barriers, discrimination, or exclusion, and using your voice and position to help create a fairer, more inclusive workplace.
True allyship takes work. It’s not a one-off action or a box you can tick—it’s a commitment to learning, reflecting, and showing up consistently. Allies don’t claim to have all the answers or to fully understand what it feels like to experience oppression. Instead, they take responsibility for listening, educating themselves, and using their influence to create positive change.
What Allyship Looks Like in Practice
- Listen first – Give space for others to share their experiences, and listen without judgment or interruption.
- Keep learning – Take initiative to educate yourself about different identities, cultures, and experiences. Don’t expect those who are already marginalised to do the teaching for you.
- Speak up – If you witness exclusionary or harmful behaviour, challenge it respectfully. Silence can be seen as acceptance, so your voice matters.
- Share opportunities – Use your position to amplify others’ voices, highlight contributions, and ensure credit is given where it’s due.
- Reflect on privilege – Think about the advantages you may hold and consider how you can use them to open doors and support equity for others.
What Allyship Is Not
Allyship doesn’t mean you will ever fully understand someone else’s lived experience. It’s not about being a “saviour” or stepping into the spotlight. Instead, it’s about humility—knowing when to step forward and when to step back, centring the voices of those most affected.
Why Allyship Matters
Workplaces thrive when everyone feels respected, valued, and able to be themselves. Small, consistent actions taken by allies can add up to meaningful culture change—whether that’s calling out inappropriate comments, mentoring someone who’s underrepresented, or simply making sure every voice is heard in a meeting.
Allyship is a journey rather than a destination. By committing to it, we all contribute to building a workplace where inclusion and equity are not just ideals, but everyday realities.