17th September 2026
National Inclusion Week: Why Belonging Is at the Heart of a PeopleFirst Workplace
National Inclusion Week: Why Belonging Is at the Heart of a PeopleFirst Workplace
National Inclusion Week is an opportunity to celebrate inclusion. But it is also an opportunity to ask a more important question:
Do people genuinely feel that they belong?
Because being invited into a workplace is not the same as feeling part of it.
True inclusion means people feel seen, heard and valued. It means they feel safe to contribute, confident that their voice matters and able to be themselves without having to fit a particular mould.
For us, that makes inclusion and belonging fundamental to being PeopleFirst.
Why belonging helps people and organisations thrive
Creating a workplace where people belong is clearly the right thing to do. But the evidence increasingly shows it is good for organisations too.
Research from BetterUp found that employees with a strong sense of belonging were associated with a 56% increase in job performance, a 50% reduction in turnover risk and a 75% decrease in sick days, compared with employees reporting a weak sense of belonging.
McKinsey research has also found that 39% of respondents had turned down or decided not to pursue a job because of a perceived lack of inclusion at an organisation.
The message is pretty clear: how included people feel can influence whether they want to join, stay and perform at their best.
It’s something Dr Tracy Brower explores in The Business Case for Belonging at Work. She argues that belonging and connection aren’t “soft” workplace issues. Disconnection can contribute to disengagement, absence and turnover, while stronger workplace relationships, networks and shared purpose are associated with positive outcomes including performance, wellbeing and retention.
READ: The Business Case for Belonging at Work →
Inclusion is PeopleFirst
At Inspiring Workplaces, we talk a lot about creating organisations people believe in and feel they belong to.
The two go hand in hand.
You can have an inspiring purpose, strong benefits and ambitious values on the wall. But if someone doesn’t feel heard, respected or able to contribute, their everyday experience of your organisation tells a very different story.
And belonging isn’t created by one policy, initiative or awareness week.
It’s created through leadership. Through listening. Through whose voices are heard in a meeting. Through how people are treated when they disagree. Through whether opportunities are genuinely accessible. Through the relationships people have with each other and the everyday experiences that tell someone:
You matter here.
Learn from people putting it into practice
There is no single blueprint for creating a more inclusive workplace. But there is plenty we can learn from people and organisations already tackling these challenges.
Here are some recent conversations, videos and Inspiring Place to Work™ case studies from the Inspiring Workplaces community to explore.
Inspiring connection and building workplace community
In this 2026 Summer Series session, Dr Tracy Brower explores the power of connection and community at a time when work and life can feel increasingly complex and overwhelming.
Drawing on research, Tracy looks at what makes communities work, how organisations can strengthen connection and why workplace relationships can play such an important role in wellbeing, fulfilment and belonging.
WATCH: INSPIRING CONNECTION – BUILDING WORKPLACE COMMUNITY →
Belonging & Inclusion: What does it really mean?
In our 2025 PeopleFirst Power Hour on Belonging & Inclusion, three workplace thought leaders explored what belonging means in today’s complex workplaces – moving beyond simply fitting in to creating environments where people feel seen, safe and valued.
The conversation explores psychological safety, intersectionality, conflict, connection and why inclusion doesn’t require everyone to think the same way.
What is neurodiversity – and why should you care?
In this 2025 Summer Series session, neurodiversity consultant Rachel Morgan-Trimmer demystifies neurodiversity and explores how workplaces can better understand and support different ways of thinking.
Drawing on her own experience, Rachel explores neurodivergence including dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD and autism, and shows why creating more neuroinclusive workplaces matters for people, belonging and performance.
WATCH: WHAT IS NEURODIVERSITY AND WHY SHOULD YOU CARE? →
Creating belonging across generations
With multiple generations working alongside each other, how do organisations create connection without ignoring the very real differences in people’s experiences and expectations?
In this PeopleFirst Global Summit Inspiring Place to Work™ case study, D’Mar Phillips, VP of People – Americas at RS Americas, shares practical approaches to tackling generational tensions and creating a more cohesive, inclusive workforce.
WATCH THE RS AMERICAS CASE STUDY →
Empowering employees through inclusive cultures
In this PeopleFirst Global Summit Inspiring Place to Work™ case study, Cathy Donnelly of Texthelp explores how organisations can create cultures where people feel supported, included and able to contribute.
The session looks at practical approaches including inclusion strategies, Employee Resource Groups, wellbeing, leadership development and communication – and how these can strengthen engagement, belonging and community.
WATCH: EMPOWERING EMPLOYEES WITH INCLUSIVE CULTURES →
Looking for more? These are just a few examples from across the Inspiring Workplaces community. You can also explore how Concentrix approaches wellbeing, inclusivity and belonging, or browse our wider Belonging & Inclusion content hub for more videos, Inspiring Place to Work™ case studies, articles and practical ideas.
WATCH: CONCENTRIX – EMPOWERING WELLBEING, INCLUSIVITY & BELONGING →
EXPLORE ALL BELONGING & INCLUSION RESOURCES →
Continue the conversation at the PeopleFirst Global Summit
One of the best ways to improve is to learn from what others are doing.
On 21 October, the PeopleFirst Global Summit ’26 will bring together Inspiring Places to Work™, workplace experts and thought leaders from around the world to share practical ideas, experiences and lessons across 24 hours of free online learning.
Inclusion, belonging, leadership, culture, employee experience, wellbeing and the future of work will all be part of the conversation.
REGISTER FREE FOR THE PEOPLEFIRST GLOBAL SUMMIT →
Turning good work into recognised practice
National Inclusion Week can also be a useful moment for organisations to reflect on the progress they are making – and the story they have to tell.
Inclusion & Belonging is one of the six key elements we believe are fundamental to creating a PeopleFirst organisation. Every year, organisations share their PeopleFirst stories with us and their entries are assessed by independent judges, with standout achievements recognised through our Special Recognition categories.
The 2027 Inspiring Workplaces Awards are now open worldwide, with organisations independently assessed across the six elements of a PeopleFirst workplace.
As well as overall recognition as an Inspiring Place to Work™, our Special Recognition categories shine a light on particularly strong work in Inclusion & Belonging, Culture & Purpose, Leadership, Wellbeing, Employee Voice and Employee Experience.
For organisations already doing meaningful work in these areas, entering is an opportunity to reflect on that progress, recognise the people behind it and share what you’ve learned with a wider community.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE 2027 AWARDS →
Belonging is built every day
National Inclusion Week lasts seven days. Belonging is built every day.
It’s built in the way people are led and listened to. In whose ideas are taken seriously. In whether people feel safe to speak. In the opportunities they’re given and the relationships they build.
Ultimately, inclusion isn’t about asking everyone to be the same.
It’s about creating a workplace where different people can contribute, connect and thrive.
That’s what makes inclusion PeopleFirst.
Celebrating our 2026 Inspiring Places to Work™ for Inclusion & Belonging
Congratulations to the 2026 Inspiring Places to Work™ recognised for standout work in Inclusion & Belonging:
UK & Ireland: Cirrus Logic, Cooper Parry, FRP Advisory, Ideagen, Lhasa Limited, REALTA and Zenith.
Europe: Bobcat, Equativ, Everhelp, Flaconi and ÖBB.
North America: Ajinomoto Foods North America, Colliers, Consumer Protection BC, Northbridge Financial Corporation, Novo Nordisk Canada, Ocean State Job Lot, Sarepta Therapeutics, Staples Canada ULC, Sweetwater, Tata Consultancy Services and United Federal Credit Union.
Australasia: ADCO Constructions, Centorrino Technologies, Contact Energy, Tax Traders + Taxi, The NRMA and Viva Leisure.
Asia: Cirrus Logic and EagleBurgmann India Pvt Ltd.
See all 2026 Inspiring Places to Work™ winners here.
