How code-switching impacts diversity, belonging and inclusion

In marking World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development earlier this year, Owen Knight, Senior Associate, sat down with the following panel for our introduction to Code-Switching panel event.

We are proud to be a catalyst and kick-start conversations around code-switching – we understand the need for education on this topic in order to encourage self-awareness but also awareness of others to ensure we’re an inclusive firm for both our people, clients and communities.

Panel:

• Devyani Sharma – Professor of Linguistics, Queen Mary University of London
• Heather Day – Managing Director, Chief Operating Officer, Europe at PGIM Real Estate
• Joel Eytle – Partner, Employment at DLA Piper
• Andrew Meaney – Investment Analyst, UK Transactions at PGIM Real Estate

What is Code-Switching?

The historic definition of code-switching focuses more on linguistic code switching: the practice of alternating between two or more languages or varieties of language in conversation. However, more broadly, code-switching involves adjusting one’s style of speech, appearance, behaviour, and/or expression in ways that will optimise the comfort of others in exchange for fair treatment, quality service, and/or employment opportunities.

Code-Switching as a more recent phenomenon, has been discussed in various contexts, where individuals of all demographics and backgrounds are affected. Ultimately, we all code-switch, whether it’s changing our accent, our hair when attending the office versus working from home or our behaviour to appear to have a different identity. Research has also shown the significant amount of code-switching occurring within the specifically Black and Ethnic Minority communities and in those from a lower socioeconomic background – but why is this the case?

The panel discussed and shared personal experiences on how code-switching manifests in the workplace for individuals with different demographics. The panellists considered how being the minority in a situation and having to code-switch can be exhausting, all in an effort to “fit in” and attempt to achieve a “sense of belonging” – something many organisations talk about when creating an inclusive culture. They also explored how code-switching can largely affect Ethnic Minorities and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds in the context of Global businesses and the impact of flexible working on belonging and inclusion.

Panel

Devyani Sharma
Professor of Linguistics, Queen Mary University of London

Devyani is Professor of Linguistics at Queen Mary University of London. Her research is on new English dialects, inter-ethnic contact, bilingualism, accent variation, and language change. Her edited books include The Oxford Handbook of World Englishes and Research Methods in Linguistics. She co-directs the online resources Accent Bias Britain, Teach Real English!, and Multilingual Capital.

Owen Knight
Senior Associate, Finance, Projects & Restructuring at DLA Piper

Owen is a Senior Associate in DLA Piper's Projects group, based in the London office. Owen has experience advising both the private and public sector (including funders) on major infrastructure projects and various commercial contract and structuring issues. Outside of his day job, Owen has been involved in Iris in a number of capacities since joining the firm, most recently as the UK & Ireland country representative.

Heather Day
Managing Director, Chief Operating Officer, Europe at PGIM Real Estate

Heather Day is a managing director at PGIM Real Estate and chief operating officer for Europe. Based in London, Heather also serves on PGIM Real Estate’s European Executive Council and sits on several company boards across Europe.

Heather joined PGIM Real Estate in May 2008 as part of the portfolio management team, in Global Merchant Banking, responsible for fund finance, operations, risk management and investor relations and latterly heading up Operations for London and Luxembourg, responsible for 10 staff across the two offices. In January 2015, Heather's role expanded into investor services also.

Heather qualified as a chartered accountant in 2000, training with KPMG for five years in audit and forensic accounting. She graduated from the University of Manchester in 1997 with a bachelor's degree (with honours) including a year spent at Penn State University in the United States.

Joel Eytle
Partner, Employment at DLA Piper

Joel is a Partner in the Pensions team in London.

Joel has been at the firm since February 2017 in the Employment Group, focusing on pensions. He advises companies and pension scheme trustees on issues relating to pensions, both big and small.

Joel is a Steering Committee member of Mosaic, DLA Piper’s network focused on the attraction, retention and progression of everyone at our UK firm, regardless of cultural and ethnic background, race or religion. Joel also works on the Pensions Regulator’s Diversity and Inclusion Working Group, to try and encourage diversity and inclusion within the pensions industry.

Andrew Meaney
Investment Analyst, UK Transactions at PGIM Real Estate

Andrew Meaney is an Investment Analyst on the UK Transactions team at PGIM Real Estate. Based in London, Andrew also serves on the European Innovation Council.

Andrew joined PGIM Real Estate in September 2020 as part of the European Debt team. In July 2021 he moved to the UK Transactions team with a primary focus on industrial and London office transactions.

Andrew graduated from the University of St Andrews in 2020 with a first-class degree in Management and International Relations and was awarded the Principals Scholarship for Academic Excellence. He was also selected to the Scottish Football National University team in 2017 and studied abroad at Renmin University in Beijing in 2019.