Diversity in the IP professions

The wide demands of careers in IP – legal, technical, commercial and administrative – mean there are opportunities for everyone, regardless of background, age, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, neurotype or physical ability.

Employers in the sector are recruiting progressively, encouraging a diversity of applicants. Whatever your identity, you should be free to be yourself and you can expect to feel included, respected and valued among your colleagues.

Career in Ideas is part of a wider initiative called IP Inclusive. This initiative, run by a wide range of IP professionals, aims to improve equality, diversity, inclusion and wellbeing across the sector, and access to the jobs it provides.

Together we want to ensure the IP professions build a workforce that reflects the diversity of the clients they serve. We know that this makes our sector stronger, more innovative and overall a better place to work in.

Organisations that support IP Inclusive’s aims have signed up to its best practice equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) Charter. Among other things, this commits them to demonstrating merit-based equal opportunities in their recruitment and career progression processes.

When you apply for jobs in IP, we encourage you to ask employers whether they’ve signed up to the IP Inclusive Charter and about their work to improve EDI in their organisations.

You can also ask whether any of their senior team members have signed the IP Inclusive Senior Leaders’ Pledge.

Wherever you apply, and wherever you end up working in the IP professions, you should expect to be treated fairly, considerately and respectfully by all your colleagues. If you need workplace adjustments in order to perform at your best, you should feel able to talk to your line manager about those and expect to be given the support you need. If you’d like to adjust the way you work, for example because of your physical or mental health, your faith or culture, or your caring responsibilities – you should feel confident about discussing that with your colleagues.

This applies regardless of your role or your career level, and whatever type of organisation you work in.

Please also ask about adjustments and support during the application process, in particular before you attend interviews.