RACE MATTERS Addressing Race-Based Vulnerabilities at All Levels The Black Lives Matter movement rose to the top of the global agenda in 2020, as incidents of shocking police brutality in US cities captured worldwide attention, and sparked protests across the US and beyond. There is a long history of police violence in the US, with certain groups, such as black people, disproportionately impacted. Racial violence is not unique to the US, as a recent incident in Brazil shows. Companies responded to the crisis in multiple ways, including by expressing support, donating money, pledging to hire more candidates from minorities, dropping controversial products, changing names of brands, and examining diversity efforts in their recruitment policies. One company candidly said that dismantling the idea of white supremacy is the task and silence is not an option. Many faced calls for further action. Changes are long overdue, and scrutiny of corporate conduct will continue to grow in 2021, including calls to demonstrate how companies are hiring more candidates from racial minorities or ensuring that black employees remain in the company. More will be expected of all employees on issues such as unconscious or implicit bias that might influence decisions, and deeper discussions will be required on questions over whether workplaces are racially just. Gender dimensions will take on greater importance as well, such as how black women employees have different experiences at work compared to their white women colleagues. Issues of vertical mobility within companies will also take on greater prominence, as will related challenges such as the extent to which banks’ lending practices have changed to prevent discrimination against minority applicants. & Human Rights 2021 Business Top 10 Issues Added to these issues, the COVID-19 pandemic has uncovered links between the virus, particular groups, and types of work - as data shows racial minorities have a disproportionately larger share among essential workers in the industrial world. Are companies that employ these workers taking care to ensure they are well protected? Are programmes intended to help struggling businesses during the pandemic failing to support black-owned businesses? “ Companies will need to demonstrate their commitment in 2021 and beyond to redoubling efforts to fight discrimination. That will require more than advocacy messages on sporting logos or redesigning websites. Society at large, around the world, will be watching the extent to which companies make black lives matter. ” There is ample evidence showing that diversity is good for business. Companies will need to demonstrate their commitment in 2021 and beyond to redoubling efforts to fight discrimination. That will require more than advocacy messages on sporting logos or redesigning websites. Society at large, around the world, will be watching the extent to which companies make black lives matter. Institute for Human Rights and Business 19