Although most employees appreciate diversity as an asset to an organization, opinions can differ on whether a focus on diversity at work would be beneficial; opinions can also vary by demographic and political affiliation.
These variations stem from differing definitions for diversity, equity and inclusion among different people. This article seeks to address these concepts which are related but distinct.
Diversity
When businesses embrace Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI), this signifies they value every employee regardless of background. DEI goes far beyond equal pay or representation in the workforce and embraces social justice principles. A good DEI strategy ensures people have access to resources which enable them to perform at their best; such resources could include childcare services, flexible work schedules or accommodations for disabilities – not forgetting fostering an inclusive work culture which recognizes diverse approaches, styles and perspectives.
Though diversity and inclusion (DEI) programs bring many advantages, implementing one isn’t an easy process. Many businesses still struggle with getting buy-in from leadership and staff despite understanding its significance for customers, employees, and shareholders.
Lack of commitment to DEI often stems from its misunderstood nature, compounded by multiple terms that have been used to describe different aspects of it and which often cause confusion.
Misconceptions related to DEI often stem from a lack of education and understanding about this field, for instance when people assume that diversity and inclusion mean race or gender identity alone; they don’t; diversity encompasses race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation and age as well as its individual components such as age. Inclusion refers to making sure these differences are recognized and celebrated rather than ignored and devalued.
There can be some misperceptions regarding the role of leadership in an DEI program. It is essential that leaders show their support for this initiative and encourage all staff members to join. In addition, leaders should remain aware of any challenges caused by inequitable practices so policies are implemented fairly.
Leaders must also recognize the ramifications of their own biases on diversity initiatives. For instance, leaders should remain aware of how their own actions could contribute to inequitable practices like tokenism or white supremacy; doing so can avoid them being seen as complicit in an oppressive system.
Equity
As people become more engaged in diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) initiatives, it becomes essential that they have a firm grasp on how these terms relate. Any confusion could lead to infighting that impedes progress toward DEIB goals; to avoid this happening it would be useful if people set out defining these terms before beginning any DEIB initiative.
Start by writing down diversity, inclusion and equity on paper or in an open document on your computer, with definitions written next to each. After gathering all these terms together, take time out for discussion among team members on what each term means to them and how it interacts with one another.
Equity generally refers to the idea that everyone receives equitable treatment regardless of their circumstances, including accessing resources and addressing biases; creating an environment inclusive of all identities; or making sure everyone feels included and welcome in their workplace no matter their background or identity. By contrast, inclusion involves making sure all individuals feel welcome no matter their background or identity.
Equality and inclusion may seem synonymous, but it’s essential to distinguish them. While equality refers to treating all individuals equally, inclusion encompasses providing equal opportunities for individuals to flourish and succeed. That is why building equity into your organization – from hiring practices and promotion policies through employee resource groups and cultural celebrations – is so crucial.
Prioritize inclusion across all initiatives, not only those directly related to diversity or inclusion. This can include hiring, firing, training, project assignments and how meetings are run – for instance hiring, firing, training and project assignments are just a few examples – although hiring, firing and training processes could all play a part. When designed consciously in an equitable fashion they could support diversity efforts while at other times leading to unintended or unwanted consequences.
Vast inequalities exist between different races and ethnic groups, affecting everything from length of life, educational attainment and healthcare access to housing affordability. Equity refers to the goal of eliminating these disparities through monitoring and counteracting bias at every level within an organization.
Inclusion
Even when people from diverse ages, races, ethnicities, abilities, genders, religions and cultures come together, there can still be barriers preventing them from feeling fully included – including unconscious biases, discrimination and microaggressions. Addressing these challenges means creating a positive working environment while celebrating diversity while providing equal opportunities to employees. Inclusion should encompass these goals in equal measures.
McKinsey & Company research shows that companies which prioritize diversity and inclusion outperform those that don’t. Inclusive workplaces also create a stronger sense of belonging among employees, increasing productivity while also improving morale – this allows businesses to retain talent as well as foster innovation.
An effective diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) strategy addresses all these concerns by encouraging the representation and participation of people who may otherwise be underrepresented within an organization – this can include people from diverse ages, races, ethnicities, disabilities, genders or sexual orientations as well as covering aspects such as religious beliefs, culture and backgrounds.
Diversity initiatives tend to focus on hiring more diverse employees and cultivating an inclusive culture, but without an equitable framework that addresses barriers to DEI they may fail. For example, an organization could hire many women but still fail to create an environment in which they feel welcome and supported due to longstanding gender norms, testosterone-fueled culture or other factors.
An organization’s DEI efforts can best be assessed by comparing experiences among different groups within its ranks. If problems tend to crop up more often for some than for others, this indicates that its policies and practices may not be equitable enough.
Once you’ve established what diversity, equity, and inclusion mean, it is crucial to get everyone onboard in order to effectively implement your strategy. Begin by discussing their meaning with your team members; have them privately write down what their current understanding of each term is; collect their thoughts together before discussing how they connect to one another.
Impact
Diversity, equity and inclusion can bring great advantages for businesses by cultivating an atmosphere of respect and understanding within its walls. Diversity helps attract and retain top talent while improving decision making processes by offering diverse viewpoints to decision-makers. Furthermore, diversity makes businesses more adaptive to change with evolving customer, employee and society needs as they change over time.
Focusing on D&E in the workplace is vital to creating an innovative and productive work environment, but businesses cannot fully realize its benefits unless all employees feel included and treated equally – this can be accomplished by identifying and eliminating barriers such as discrimination, bias, inequity or unfairness that stand in the way.
D&E have far-reaching effects, touching every aspect of people’s lives from work to health care access and overall quality of life. Vast inequities exist among various racial and ethnic groups which compromise economic opportunities, educational attainment, housing costs, health care access and overall quality of life.
Most workers (56%) agree that prioritizing diversity, equity and inclusion at their employer is beneficial; however, opinions vary significantly by demographic and political lines; women are significantly more likely than men to view focusing on DEI as beneficial (61% vs 50%).
Though many employers see DEI as important, few actually take steps to implement policies for it. Only 29% have an official diversity and inclusion department or program while 33% provide staff training on its importance; only 26% have a system for reviewing job postings to make sure they do not discriminate against certain groups.
Businesses that prioritize DEI tend to be perceived by consumers, investors and employees as being more socially responsible and experience higher profits than those that don’t prioritize DEI because these organizations demonstrate that all people deserve an equal chance to succeed and contribute their talents and ideas towards making them successful and contributing positively to the company.