To recognise the achievements of organisations that demonstrate a commitment to implementing policies and practices promoting the values of racial equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace, the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) has launched a Racial Diversity & Inclusion Employers Award Scheme.

1. To cultivate and enhance awareness of the benefits of racial diversity and inclusion policies and encourage employers in different sectors to reap the benefits, by implementing racially inclusive employment policies and practices.
2. To give recognition to companies and organisations which have excelled in creating racially inclusive workplaces, and provide a benchmark of good practices for others to follow.
3. To mainstream racial diversity and inclusion (D&I) values across different sectors and foster the spirit of diversity and inclusion, with a view to creating a cultural shift in the wider community and building an inclusive and discrimination-free society.

• Racial Equity in Hiring Award

  To reward employers who have actively and successfully incorporated recruitment practices to improve racial diversity in their workplaces, with particular attention to promoting equal opportunities for disadvantaged racial groups (e.g. adoption of racially inclusive recruitment policy, adjustment of Chinese proficiency requirement in recruitment, active promotion of job vacancies in disadvantaged racial communities etc.)

• Inclusive Workplace Award

  To reward employers who have successful initiatives in place to promote racial inclusion among their diverse staff (e.g. Employee resource groups, promoting different cultural festivals to all staff, facilities for religious practice, staff activities that promote understanding of racial diversity, etc.)

• Community Engagement Award

  To reward employers for their community-based initiative(s) that has (have) had significant impact in promoting racial inclusion and diversity in Hong Kong (e.g. staff voluntary services for disadvantaged racial groups, internship opportunities for young people from disadvantaged racial backgrounds, etc.)

Depending on the responses received, there will be an SME award under some or each of the three categories.

The assessment covers five main areas, namely the commitment of the management to equal opportunity policies; efforts to put in place and maintain equal opportunity policies and measures; the innovativeness and sustainability of the policies and measures; and the benefits brought by the policies and measures. The assessment criteria are explained below:

Being Strategic & Consistent: Demonstrate commitment (20%)

• Racial D&I is an explicit or implied core value for the organisation.
• Values of equal opportunities, and/or diversity and inclusion are embedded across processes in the company / organisation.
• Systems are in place and consistently applied to ensure bias-free employment experiences for all, from recruitment to on-the-job, to training and promotions.

Being Proactive: Put in place policies and measures (40%)

• Policies are put in place to promote and support employment equality of members of racially under-represented communities, and to create a safe, inclusive and harassment-free work environment for them:
  • Targets have been set to recruit the above groups or efforts made to maintain a diverse workforce.
  • Measures are in place to ensure there are no barriers to career progression of racially diverse employees.
  • There is a formalised channel or mechanism for addressing grievances and for handling complaints on inequality and/or discriminatory practices or behaviours within the organisation.
  • Training is provided and/or arranged for staff members regularly to increase their awareness and understanding of equal opportunities, diversity and inclusion values and to build an inclusive culture within the organisation.

Being Innovative: Adopt new, creative approaches (10%)

• Policies and initiatives introduced are new to the industry / sector and/or in Hong Kong.

Being Sustainable: Aim for long-term rather than one-off (10%)

• The initiatives are not one-off, but part of longer-terms plans, goals and strategy.
• The initiatives are sustainable or replicable and can be rolled out by other companies / organisations or across the sector.

Being Impactful: Bring benefits both within and outside the organisation (20%)

• The policies / initiatives have delivered tangible benefits to the company / organisation, such as staff retention, enhanced efficiency and productivity and increased staff satisfaction.
• The policies / initiatives have driven change beyond the company / organisation, and have helped to raise awareness of equal opportunities, racial diversity and inclusion values across the industry or the community.
• Collaborations have been made with other companies / organisations to generate action in promoting racial equality and inclusion.
• Efforts have been made to share learning and practices with other companies / organisations.

The assessment will start in April 2025, and involves three stages: preliminary screening and review, detailed assessment and final judging.

1. An independent Judging Panel made up of EOC Members, social dignitaries and professionals across different sectors will decide on the awardees. All decisions made by the Judging Panel and the organiser in relation to the awards are final and binding.
2. Awards will be presented only when the Judging Panel is satisfied that the entrant’s policies and practices are commendable. The Judging Panel reserves the right to withhold any or all awards.
3. The Judging Panel reserves the right not to accept any submission that does not reach the standard set by the Judging Panel.

1. The application is free of charge.
2. Interested parties can file their applications with the EOC by submitting the following documents on or before the application deadline on 31 March 2025:
   • Completed application form(s)
   • Relevant supporting documents and materials, such as: certificate copies, corporate publications like annual reports, office memos and emails, letters, staff manuals, photographic or audio-visual materials, that may be attached to the submission to facilitate the assessment. If the application is submitted by email, each email should be less than 10MB.
3. Each company / organisation may submit only one application for multiple categories. For subsidiaries operating under a group, they may choose to submit separate applications or join the holding company or organisation to submit a joint application.
4. Application should be submitted to the EOC through any of the following methods:
   • By email: racialequality@eoc.org.hk
   • By fax: (852) 2511 8142
   • By post: 16/F, 41 Heung Yip Road, Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong
     (Please mark “Racial Diversity & Inclusion Employers Award Scheme” on the envelope.)
5. Please submit the application form on or before 31 March 2025. Late submission will not be considered.

1. Participating companies / organisations should ensure that all information provided in the application form is true and accurate. Verification of data submitted by the applicants may be required.
2. The EOC may request additional information and supporting documents during the judging process.
3. The EOC may reject an application in case information provided in the application form is incomplete or inaccurate.
4. Participating companies / organisations should provide assistance to the organiser when needed throughout the adjudication process.
5. The decision of the Judging Panel is final.
6. The companies / organisations awarded should actively participate in all award and publicity activities and be willing to share their policies and practices.
7. The results of the Racial Diversity & Inclusion Employers Award Scheme will not affect or jeopardise the exercise of the statutory functions of the EOC. The EOC reserves the sole right to terminate or modify the right of awardees to use the Logo. In the event of dispute, the decision of the EOC shall be final and binding.
8. Personal data provided by the participating companies / organisations will be used by the EOC for the purpose of communication and promotion related to the Award Scheme. Should the companies / organisations wish to access or correct the data, please contact the Ethnic Minorities Unit of EOC at 2511 8211 or email to racialequality@eoc.org.hk.

Companies / organisations interested in joining the Racial Diversity & Inclusion Employers Award Scheme should fill in the following application form and send it/them together with related supporting documents to the EOC no later than 31 March 2025.

Download Application Form

Download Leaflet

For enquiries, please contact the Ethnic Minorities Unit of EOC from Mondays to Fridays 8:45am to 5:45pm.

Tel: (852)2511 8211

Email: racialequality@eoc.org.hk