VALLA is launching Discrimination First Aider training – the UK’s first product designed to help people become “first responders” when they see or hear about racism, sexism, or other discrimination at work. Based in Edinburgh, Scotland, Valla is an online legal platform that helps workers to resolve employment issues by representing themselves.
According to the TUC, over half of women in the UK have experienced sexual harassment while at work, and a staggering 70% of Black and Asian people have experienced racial harassment at work. Despite efforts to tackle these issues, CIPHR reports that discrimination cases have continued to increase in the last five years.
After conducting hundreds of interviews for their DIY legal platform, Valla’s founders Danae Shell and Kate Ho realised that people often don’t fight workplace discrimination because they don’t have anyone to turn to in the critical first few days after an incident happens. Inspired by the Mental Health First Aid programme, they created Discrimination First Aid to help people become “first responders” and support their colleagues during an incredibly difficult time.
Danae Shell, co-founder and CEO of Valla commented: “I know from experience what it feels like to hear about shocking behaviour at work and not know how to help. We’ve created this training for everyone who has ever seen something go wrong at work and has felt helpless to stop it.”
By empowering the UK’s 32.5m workers to support each other against workplace discrimination, the programme has the potential to change the face of UK workplaces, creating more accountability for employers who have been lax in rooting out discriminatory behaviour.
The course, costing £39 for individuals and £99 for businesses, trains first aiders in the basics of equality law, how to spot issues as they arise and how to support someone going through workplace discrimination. As “first responders,” they can then help their colleagues access support and take action.
Unlike traditional DEI training, Discrimination First Aid focuses on holding employers accountable after an incident has taken place and supporting people who may feel alienated by the discrimination they faced.
Valla cuts the price of resolving employment issues by 90% and launched their first self-representation kit in February 2022.
Valla is meeting the growing demand for affordable legal services by helping people manage their issues themselves and connect with legal professionals at a fraction of the traditional price.
To find out more visit www.valla.uk or follow on @valla_uk
