Spotlight on Diversity and Inclusion | Overcoming barriers in the workplace

Sabrina Khan
Performance & Development Manager
Encompass Corporation

In the last six years, I have embarked on a transformative journey, embracing my identity as a hijabi (one who wears a head scarf).

Growing up in a predominantly white area with a strong Pakistani background, I always felt the pull between my Western and Pakistani sides, feeling like I was straddling both worlds but not fully belonging to either. However, it wasn't until my early thirties that I found comfort in my own skin. In this post, I want to share how this period of uncertainty has shaped my identity and the importance of inclusivity in the workplace.

Workplace: Transitioning into a workplace as a hijabi in 2018, I realised that while I was welcomed and respected, there was still a sense of not feeling completely at ease. I reflect on the unspoken barriers that can exist when you are the only one who looks different in a predominantly homogeneous setting. There was some effort made by the department to have team activity/meal as a team building event, but it was a Christmas lunch in a pub, something I didn't feel comfortable with but felt even less comfortable to speak out as I didn't want to be the 'awkward one'. I was championed by my manager but didn't feel I could champion myself. 

I started at Encompass in Jan 2022 and my experience at Encompass, a smaller company where I am also the only hijabi, has been different. I didn’t shy away from sharing with others what is important to me, as I may have done in the past. In Ramadan I wrote a short blog to share some knowledge around the event and what to expect from me, and it resulted in conversations with people, even months afterwards. I realised that people could feel nervous asking questions, some may not know what they should ask and indeed how to ask without causing offense. The difference at Encompass is that I have been given the space to share knowledge (especially in our EDI groups), provide a safe space for others to ask questions, with an understanding that they can get it wrong, it is all ok.

Actions count: During a team day at Encompass my department chose to have a meal in a restaurant without anyone drinking alcohol to ensure my full participation. This simple yet profound act of inclusivity touched me deeply, it means that I can feel completely comfortable, without apology of who I am.

We are like the fingers on a hand: I am one of five children, one of my sisters has always said that us siblings are like the fingers on your hand, we are all different shapes and sizes, we even have different functions, but we also have many similarities. By embracing inclusivity and celebrating both the similarities and differences of individuals in a diverse workplace, we are recognising that each of these individuals bring unique perspectives and experiences to the table.

We aren’t just talking about being inclusive, we ARE inclusive by our actions.