What do we mean by ‘Race & Culture’?

Race refers to the physical characteristics and ancestry of an individual, while culture refers to the shared beliefs, customs, and practices of a particular group or society. Both race and culture can significantly impact an individual’s experiences, perspectives, and identity.

What is the Law on Race & Culture when it comes to the workplace, recruitment and careers?

In the UK, the Equality Act 2010 plays a crucial role in ensuring that race and culture are taken into consideration for recruitment and staff retention in all businesses, including games. This comprehensive piece of legislation prohibits discrimination based on various protected characteristics, including race, which encompasses colour, nationality, and ethnic or national origins. The Act applies to all aspects of the employment process, from job advertisements and interviews to promotions, training, and workplace policies.

When it comes to recruitment, it’s essential for your games business to ensure that your hiring practices are fair and unbiased. This means avoiding any language in job adverts that might be discriminatory and ensuring that selection criteria are based on the necessary skills and qualifications for the role, rather than race or ethnicity. Interviewers should also be trained to avoid asking questions that might be perceived as discriminatory, focusing instead on the candidate’s suitability for the role.

In terms of staff retention, creating an inclusive work environment that values and supports employees of all racial and ethnic backgrounds is crucial. This can be achieved by providing equal opportunities for training, development, and promotion, as well as implementing policies that specifically address racial harassment or discrimination. Encouraging open dialogue about diversity and inclusion, and actively seeking feedback from employees to identify areas for improvement, can also go a long way in fostering a more inclusive workplace. By adhering to these principles outlined in the Equality Act 2010, your game development business can ensure that it is compliant with UK law and cultivates a diverse and thriving team.

Key organisations & resources

Calendar events

Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month

Through celebration, education and raising awareness, Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month helps to tackle prejudice, challenge myths and to amplify the voices of Gypsies, Roma and Travellers in wider society.

Learn more about Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month

Shavuot (Pentecost)

Shavuot is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai and is celebrated with religious observances, studying of scriptures, and eating dairy foods.

Guru Arjan Dev Martyrdom Day

Guru Arjan Dev’s martyrdom day commemorates the day when the fifth Sikh Guru was tortured and executed by the Mughal emperor Jahangir, marking a pivotal event in Sikh history and strengthening the community’s resolve.

Learn more about Guru Arjan Dev Martyrdom Day

Eid-ul-Adha

Eid al-Adha is the second and the largest of the two main holidays celebrated in Islam.

Learn more about Eid-ul-Adha

Refugee Week

Refugee Week is the world’s largest arts & culture festival celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary.

Learn more about Refugee Week

Windrush Day

Windrush Day is a commemoration in the United Kingdom held on 22 June to honour the contributions of migrants to the post-war economy.

Learn more about Windrush Day

South Asian Heritage Month

South Asian Heritage Month celebrates the culture, history, and achievements of South Asian communities, aiming to promote understanding and appreciation of their diverse contributions to society.

Learn more about South Asian Heritage Month

Islamic New Year (Al-Hijra)

Al-Hijra marks the Islamic New Year, commemorating the migration (Hijra) of Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE.

Develop:Brighton

The Develop:Brighton conference has something for everyone – 10 tracks covering every discipline of game making, including free Roundtables and Indie BootCamp. It’s main focus is practical take-away and vocational content giving you the chance to “skill-up” and do what you do even better.

Learn more about Develop:Brighton

Develop:Star Awards

Taking place on the evening of Wednesday 10 July during Develop:Brighton, the Develop:Star Awards 2024 will recognise the very best games and talent within the industry with categories that enable studios of every size to shine.

Ashura

Ashura is a significant religious observance for both Sunni and Shia Muslims, marking the tenth day of Muharram; Sunnis commemorate it as a day of atonement, while Shias mourn the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala.

Learn more about Ashura

Asalha Puja (Sharma Day)

Asalha Puja is a Theravada Buddhist festival that commemorates the Buddha’s first sermon and the inception of the Buddhist sangha (monastic community), observed with meditation, chanting, and religious ceremonies.

Learn more about Asalha Puja (Sharma Day)

Fast of Tisha B’av

Tisha B’Av is a solemn Jewish fast day commemorating the destruction of both the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem, as well as other tragedies in Jewish history, observed with fasting, prayer, and the reading of the Book of Lamentations.

Learn more about Fast of Tisha B’av

Krishna Janmashtami

Krishna Janmashtami celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, an avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu, with devotional singing, fasting, re-enactments of episodes from Krishna’s life, and visits to temples.

Learn more about Krishna Janmashtami

National Inclusion Week

Founded by Inclusive Employers, National Inclusion Week (NIW) is a week dedicated to celebrating inclusion and taking action to create inclusive workplaces.

Learn more about National Inclusion Week

Black History Month

Black History Month is an annual observance dedicated to celebrating the achievements, contributions, and history of Black individuals and communities, while also reflecting on the struggles they’ve faced throughout history.

Learn more about Black History Month

Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah, often referred to as the Jewish New Year, is a two-day celebration marking the beginning of the High Holy Days, characterized by introspection, prayer, and the blowing of the shofar (a ram’s horn).

Learn more about Rosh Hashanah

Navaratri

Navaratri is a nine-night Hindu festival dedicated to the goddess Durga, celebrated with fasting, dancing, and devotional practices, culminating in the festival of Dussehra on the tenth day.

Learn more about Navaratri

Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, observed with fasting, intensive prayer, and reflection, seeking forgiveness for sins and reconciliation with God.

Learn more about Yom Kippur

Diwali

Diwali, often called the “Festival of Lights,” is a major Hindu festival celebrating the victory of light over darkness and good over evil, marked by illuminating homes with lamps, exchanging gifts, feasting, and offering prayers to deities, especially Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity.

Learn more about Diwali

Islamophobia Awareness Month

Islamophobia Awareness Month (IAM) is a campaign founded in 2012 by a group of Muslim organisations. It aims to showcase the positive contributions of Muslims as well as raise awareness of Islamophobia in society.

Learn more about Islamophobia Awareness Month

Birthday of Guru Nanak

The birthday of Guru Nanak, also known as Guru Nanak Jayanti or Gurpurab, celebrates the birth of the founder of Sikhism, observed with hymns, prayers, and processions, and is one of the most sacred festivals in Sikh tradition.

Learn more about Birthday of Guru Nanak

International Day for the Abolition of Slavery

The International Day for the Abolition of Slavery marks the date of the adoption, by the General Assembly, of the United Nations Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others (resolution 317(IV) of 2 December 1949).

Learn more about International Day for the Abolition of Slavery

Human Rights Day

In the decades since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, human rights have become more recognised and more guaranteed across the globe.

Learn more about Human Rights Day

Christmas Day

Christmas Day celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and is widely observed with religious ceremonies, gift-giving, festive meals, and decorations, serving as a central holiday in the Christian calendar.

Learn more about Christmas Day