The celebration of Martin Luther King Day this week richly reminds us of the importance of unbiased, inclusivity within the workplace. There are multiple ways of insuring safe and inclusive environments within the workplace with the goal on increasing productivity and profits. Interestingly, an article from the Harvard Business Review found companies with a diverse workforce are 70% more likely to capture new markets.[1] There are numerous means available to institute diversity and inclusivity in the work environment. Here are just a few suggestions to successfully implement diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within your company structure.
Practice (DEI) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion leadership
Corporate management should always value and create a safe and open environment. A safe and open environment is defined by open dialogues respecting coworkers’ different views, arguments, and perspectives. It is also necessary for leaders to be accountable to the corporation for not valuing the employees’ perspectives and values.[2]
(DEI) Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is important
Proactively educate employees and management on diversity within the workplace. Embracing diversity improves employee to employee relationships, as well as client and future client relationships. Two-dimensional diversity is a corporate means of incorporating not only inherent but acquired diversity.[3] Two-dimensional diversity is a directed effort by a corporation to educate and create the skills necessary to foster an environment of inclusion.[4]
Attract Gen employees
Recent study from Deloitte found 74% of millennial employees seek employment with companies displaying innovations in corporate inclusivity, and 47% are attracted to companies valuing DEI. With 75% of millennials making up of the total workforce by 2025[5], it is incumbent of corporations to prioritize DEI to attract this millennial workforce. What’s more, 83% of this millennial talent is more likely to be invested in the wellbeing of the employer knowing the company is committed to DEI.[6]
DEI company edge
Companies prioritizing DEI tend to display more employee cohesiveness, have greater productivity and profitability, along with customer satisfaction.[7] For these reasons, please consider reassessing the level of DEI in your work environment.
[1] https://hbr.org/2013/12/how-diversity-can-drive-innovation
[2] https://hbr.org/2020/01/5-strategies-for-creating-an-inclusive-workplace
[3] https://bluefireleadership.com/stretch-your-innovation-muscles-through-2d-diversity/
[4] https://www.deloitte.com/global/en/about.html
[5] https://www.zurich.com/en/media/magazine/2022/how-will-gen-z-change-the-future-of-work
[6] https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/us/Documents/about-deloitte/us-inclus-millennial-influence-120215.pdf
[7] https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbeshumanresourcescouncil/2021/05/19/15-key-benefits-of-dei-to-communicate-with-team-members/?sh=4a40fe43195c