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Workforce Equality Standard for Wales

In collaboration with health and social care partners, the Welsh Government have taken significant steps toward building a fairer, more inclusive workplace for health and social care staff.

The publication of the first annual WRES report in 2024 marked a pivotal moment in strengthening workforce data and tackling long-standing racial disparities across the sector, delivering on a key commitment in the Anti-racist Wales Action Plan. For the first time, health and care organisations in Wales reported against 12 key indicators, providing clear insights into the differences in workplace experiences between Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic staff and their white colleagues—laying the foundation for meaningful, data-driven change.

The 2025 report built on the inaugural data collection, and we have seen some positive indications of change with organisations using the data to improve processes to benefit staff. 

Building on the success of WRES, we are expanding to a Workforce Equality Standard (WES). This will maintain our focus on addressing racial disparities while also capturing the lived experiences of staff across all protected characteristics. Through WRES we have seen the value of highlighting intersectional data, such as gender and race, to better understand inequality. WES enables us to apply these lessons more broadly, driving inclusive policies that reflect and benefit all staff.

WES aligns with key national strategies including:

  • The LGBTQ+ Action Plan
  • The Anti-racist Wales Action Plan
  • The Disabled People’s Rights Plan
  • The VAWDASV Strategy

It also supports the Wellbeing of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, promoting:

  • A Healthier Wales through workplace wellbeing
  • A Prosperous Wales via fair work and opportunity
  • A More Equal Wales by removing barriers to employment and progression

The WES will be a vital tool in creating a fairer, more inclusive NHS and social care workforce—where diversity is celebrated, and equity is embedded at every level.

What is the Workforce Equality Standard?

The Workforce Equality Standard (WES) is a tool that helps NHS and social care organisations become fairer and more inclusive. By collecting and using workforce data to understand and tackle inequality and discrimination in the workplace, it will highlight the differences in how those from minority or protected characteristic backgrounds experience work.

It will support health and care organisations meet their goals outlined in the Equality Act 2010 including:

  • Stop discrimination and harassment.
  • Promote equal opportunities for everyone.
  • Encourage good relationships between different groups.

The data collected will be analysed to cover the nine protected characteristics:

  • Age
  • Disability
  • Gender reassignment
  • Pregnancy and maternity
  • Race (including immigration status)
  • Religion or belief
  • Sex
  • Sexual orientation
  • Marriage and civil partnership

We will also include data on unpaid carers, socioeconomic background, and zero-hour contracts to better understand and address wider inequalities.

How does it work?

  • Collecting and sharing data:  Health and care organisations will gather and publish information about their workforce, helping to spot where inequalities exist.
  • Identifying gaps: The data helps highlight issues like lack of diversity in leadership or unequal opportunities for career progression.
  • Setting goals: Organisations will set clear targets to improve equality and track progress over time.
  • Driving change: To meet these goals, organisations may need to change their culture, policies, and practices.
  • Sharing what works: Organisations will learn from each other by sharing successful approaches.

Why is a WES important for Wales?

  • Identifying Inequality: It helps uncover where unfair treatment or barriers exist for certain groups of staff.
  • Driving Change: The data collected will guide both the Welsh Government and health and care organisations to take targeted action to reduce discrimination and promote fairness.
  • Improving Services: By creating more inclusive workplaces, the WES will also help improve the care and support people receive, especially those from diverse backgrounds who may face challenges accessing services.
  • Improving staff wellbeing and retention: Fairer workplaces lead to happier, healthier staff who are more likely to stay in their jobs.
  • Supporting National Goals: It supports wider ambitions set out in key Welsh strategies like A Healthier Wales and the 10-year workforce strategy for health and social care.

Why this matters?

  • More people are employed in health and social care in Wales than any other sector.
  • NHS and social care organisations in Wales are major employers  and have a responsibility to lead by example in promoting equality and wellbeing.
  • Fairer, more inclusive workplaces lead to:
    • Healthier and more productive staff
    • Lower sickness and absence rates
    • Better staff retention
    • Improved care for the people of Wales