Potential demise of inclusion focus in business greatly exaggerated, suggests employers’ survey

Pro-EDI hiring practices are at their highest level since the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) began its annual employer survey in 2022.

The survey results are a boost in a tight UK labour market and a reality check for those who believe the sometimes-polarising debate about EDI meant the peak of inclusive recruitment was over.

The REC-commissioned survey has found the implementation of most of the main measures of EDI in hiring are far higher in 2025 than when REC began polling on this topic in 2022. It suggests employers are shifting from signaling about EDI to making it a foundation of their recruitment practices and setting out what they do.

REC Chief Executive Neil Carberry said:

“This poll suggests that businesses see inclusion as key to accessing and retaining the teams they need. In a shrinking domestic labour force – and with tackling inactivity at the heart of the economic agenda – we should applaud business for taking a lead.

“Many employers are embracing inclusive practices in greater numbers, driven by a fear of missing out on talent amid the UK’s ongoing battle with labour and skills shortages. Our findings show that the inclusion agenda is far stronger than the unhelpful and incorrect framing of it by some as ‘woke’ would suggest. This is about businesses doing what is best for them – tackling talent shortages and opening up opportunities. With robust legal protections in place to prevent anyone getting ahead just because of demographics, we should welcome this outreach as good for business and good for growth."

Key findings and comparisons

• 51% of respondents surveyed are using diverse interview panels, up on the 34.9% in 2024.
• A total of 33.5% of respondents use name-blind CV submissions today. This compares to 21.5% of respondents in 2024.
• A total of 51.9% of respondents surveyed are using wording specifically designed to be inclusive in job adverts today. This is up on the 51.5% which did so in the 2024 survey. This is one area where use remains below the 2022 level, when it was 57.1%.
• 47.9% of respondents explicitly state an interest in diverse candidates, compared to 39.5% in 2024.

Last year REC began to ask these same cohort of employers what would most encourage their organisation to implement or enhance EDI practices in their recruitment process.

Key findings and comparisons

• A total of 30.3% said training and learning resources on best EDI practices. This was 29% in 2024.
• 29% said stronger internal policies and commitment from senior leaders. This was 26% in 2024.
• A total of 26.6% answered access to technologies that support EDI efforts (e.g. software for anonymized CV screening). This was 14% in 2024.
• 25.8% said events and networking with other organisation on EDI initiatives. This was 20% last year,
• A total of 23.5% said external incentives or recognition programmes (e.g. award, certifications). This was 9% last year.
• With 20.4% saying case studies or success stories from similar organizations. This was 10% last year.
• A total of 19.6% said support and advice from external EDI experts. This was 17% last year.
• And 15.9% answered demonstrable business benefits and ROI of EDI practices. This was 7% last year.

Neil Carberry said:

“It is encouraging to see firms strengthening their approach to inclusion beyond the hiring stage, showing it becoming firmly embedded in the UK workplace. Many employees are calling for stronger internal policies and a clearer commitment to making inclusion work in practice. Recruiters are well placed to help employers access and implement training and guidance early in the hiring process. They can also bring clients together to share best practice and stay informed on fast-moving workforce issues. Recruiters have an important role in ensuring their clients place ethical considerations at the heart of any use of new technologies such as AI, as highlighted in our Tech-Enabled Humanity report, The REC has a rich EDI offer to help recruiters meet the client demand and make impact”

Notes to editors

REC commissioned Whitestone Insight to ask 233 employers in the UK of different sizes and locations, online, in August 2025, about their use of certain measures in their recruitment process. It is the fourth such annual survey of employers carried out by REC. A similar number of different employers were surveyed in 2024, 2023 and 2022.

REC has created a hub for its members keen to understand more about its annual EDI survey. For more information contact hamant.verma@rec.uk.com