GSK's Director of Global Inclusion & Diversity, Liz Burton, says “let's stop categorising employees”

Businesses really need to treat employees as individuals if they truly want to engage them, according to GSK’s Director of Global Inclusion & Diversity.

Speaking to HR Grapevine, Liz Burton says business analytics and processes built around technology requirements mean employees are categorised and put in boxes. “I don’t like being put in a box and being categorised. Each person is different with their own unique talents, thoughts and feelings”.

Burton uses the example of radio stations to highlight her point, by saying that although she is the ‘right demographic’ for BBC Radio 2, she still listens to an array of radio stations including Radio 1 – a station that typically targets 15-29 year olds. “It’s who you are as an individual and what you enjoy that are important,” she says.

Businesses should not be judging an employee’s contribution by factors such as age, gender or the hours they work when “actually it’s about what you’re saying and your individual contribution – that’s the most important thing.

“Let’s stop categorising employees and start listening to them."

Burton, who will be speaking at HR Grapevine’s annual HR & Talent Management Conference this year, says in order for employees to be engaged, the most important thing for Leaders and HR is to listen: “Sit down,  put work aside for the moment  and actually listen to the individual. Actually hear their story and what is going on in their life.” In doing so, she says “you will learn so much more about what is important to that individual and what is going to help them thrive in the workplace”

For a full list of HR Grapevine’s conference speakers, or for more information on the content of the day, click here.