RIBA signs Halo Code to protect against racial discrimination

The RIBA has signed the Halo Code – the UK’s first Black hair code – to protect the rights of staff who come to work with natural hair and protective hairstyles associated with their racial, ethnic, and cultural identities.

The Halo Code was developed by the Halo Collective and brings together organisations and schools who have made a commitment to work towards creating a future without hair discrimination.

Signing the Halo Code and embedding it into policies, is part of the RIBA’s work to make its workplace and the wider architecture profession more inclusive.

RIBA Director of Inclusion and Diversity, Marsha Ramroop said:

“We are committed to nurturing a culture where our staff feel comfortable bringing their whole selves to work. Despite being a protected racial characteristic, hair discrimination remains a source of injustice and by signing the Halo Code, the RIBA is taking a stand for racial equity. I encourage our members and practices to join us in driving out all forms of discrimination, by adopting the Code too.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. For further press information contact Isabel.Campbell@riba.org +44 (0) 207 5805 5533
2. View the RIBA's Halo Code Declaration.
3. The Halo Collective support workplaces to adopt the Halo Code, the UK’s first Black Hair code. The Halo Code explicitly protects employees who come to work with natural hair and protective hairstyles associated with their racial, ethnic, and cultural identities.
4. In October 2020, the RIBA published an Inclusion Transparency Report, outlining our inclusion journey so far, and the leadership role we must play going forward.
5. In October 2020, the RIBA launched the Inclusion Charter, calling on all architects and practices to sign-up and pledge their support for equity and inclusion. The RIBA also published an Inclusion Action Plan – outlining the key areas we are addressing – members can use this as a framework for their Inclusion planning too.
6. The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) is a global professional membership body that serves its members and society in order to deliver better buildings and places, stronger communities and a sustainable environment. Follow @RIBA on Twitter for regular updates.