Diversity Equity and Inclusion Statements (DEIS) are one of the best ways for companies to demonstrate they care for employees while at the same time building trust that real change will take place within their organizations.
An effective DEI statement should be precise, transparent, and positive; supported by data and action taken.
Be specific.
An effective Diversity & Inclusion (DEI) statement goes beyond simply proclaiming diversity is important; instead it demonstrates how a company’s values and aspirations for equality contribute to business success. A good DEI statement provides employees with a tangible framework they can refer to when making decisions at work and encourages them to have faith in company policies as fair; furthermore it allows businesses to showcase progress made toward meeting diversity and inclusion goals.
A company’s DEI statement should be easily understandable and provide clarity around who constitutes “diverse groups”, such as race, culture, sexual orientation, gender identity and age or disabilities. Furthermore, it should address how those groups are affected by its products and services as well as by the company’s overall mission and goals.
A strong DEI statement should go beyond these general guidelines to outline exactly how the company supports diverse groups and its plans to do so in the future. It should provide specific details of what actions are being taken by the company to support the diversity community with measurable goals, linking back to any public-facing diversity reporting efforts.
While your DEI statement should include facts and concrete steps for growth, it’s also helpful to add your company’s unique voice and perspective. This could include including language that’s specific to them (such as Adobe for All), or emphasizing specific focus areas ( like Nike or LEGO Group). Also make sure you include any statistics showing where they have come from as well as their desired future path.
Effective DEI statements acknowledge the current state of their company, even when this can be difficult. Transparency is vital in creating trust amongst stakeholders – including employees. A strong DEI statement will demonstrate a company’s dedication to continuing to improve efforts and creating a better workplace environment.
A key way of doing this is laying out a specific framework for what each business unit and every aspect of operation – from recruiting to customer service – will do. Embedding diversity goals into daily operations will allow a company to measure progress against both internal and external metrics, track its progress over time, and refine strategies in pursuit of its stated goals. This will ultimately create a more diverse and inclusive work environment and a stronger, more successful company. The benefits are clear: more engaged employees, increased creativity and productivity, healthier workplace culture and an enhanced sense of belonging for all.
Be transparent.
One key to crafting an effective diversity statement is being open about your efforts. This means sharing details with employees and the public regarding current initiatives, long-term goals and any relevant statistics or data you may possess. Doing this will promote accountability while showing that your inclusion practices are serious about progress.
Be careful not to get too personal when writing your statement, however. While sharing personal experiences of privilege and oppression is important, doing so too frequently may make the statement seem false and inauthentic. Stick with facts rather than creating false parallels in your statement.
Include specific examples that demonstrate your commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion – this could mean mentioning certain demographics of your workforce or communities you serve – so employees understand your commitment more directly. Doing this will demonstrate inclusivity while making it tangible for them.
Further promote diversity initiatives within your company by adding them to your website or social media accounts, so you can easily share updates and progress toward reaching diversity goals.
The best diversity statements feature a powerful and clear title that captures the spirit of their program, such as Nike’s ‘We Belong Together’ slogan. A memorable headline like that can set the stage for an entire initiative; but to keep things short and sweet it’s essential that statements about EDI strategies be concise.
Diversity statements that are most successful also feature positive and upbeat tone. This helps establish a sense of purpose and momentum while combatting any misperceptions about the importance of EDI from potential detractors.
People have differing views about how companies should approach diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Some question their value as wasteful spending or preferential treatment of certain groups, while others enthusiastically advocate for greater workplace diversity as an integral element of innovation and business success.
Realistically, most companies fall somewhere in between these extremes; while they may implement some programs and initiatives, their effectiveness remains obscure and information investors want is rarely shared with them. Over 65 shareholder proposals this year seek disclosure on decent work and workplace equity – many requesting additional data on workplace diversity.
As diversity becomes an ever-increasing focus in workplace environments, businesses must develop and implement effective diversity statements to demonstrate their sincerity and foster an environment where everyone feels accepted and supported. By being honest about challenges faced in creating diversity statements and making pledges of change where needed, businesses can demonstrate they care.
Be positive.
Your diversity equity and inclusion statement serves as a public commitment and promise, showing employees that leadership has taken steps toward creating an inclusive workplace environment.
Positive language in your statement helps create a sense of purpose and motivate employees to support the company’s initiatives. Furthermore, highlighting existing diversity-related efforts – training programs, mentoring opportunities or any other ways your company is striving towards its DEI goals – may further help employees embrace your cause.
Your statement should outline both past and future efforts, with clear goals for equity and inclusion that can be reached attainable goals that correspond with your company’s mission and values. Promising an ambitious diversity plan without actually fulfilling it may stifle employee enthusiasm or lead to mistrust between employees and management.
Your diversity statement must be clear and understandable by everyone in its target audience, such as “we believe it is everyone’s responsibility to create an inclusive atmosphere that values diversity.”
A strong diversity statement recognizes that many workers still face challenges in the workforce, and highlights how “people enter with unequal levels of opportunity, privilege and power”. By providing an inclusive workplace where workers can express themselves authentically without worry or anxiety they experience greater job satisfaction and higher engagement levels as a result.
Your statement should also include an action plan for the future and outline how you plan to measure progress. Setting timelines and measurable goals can help keep track of your achievements while holding you accountable for fulfilling any promises made within it.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission suggests using a scorecard to monitor progress and identify any gaps, as this tool will allow you to assess whether your diversity policies are working and make necessary modifications as required.
Establishing an inclusive work culture will not only benefit business, but also the local economy. With diverse employees from different backgrounds come great talents who contribute positively to local economies. Your diversity statement should allow your employees to be their authentic selves and deliver work of the highest caliber, leading to more productivity, happiness and health in the workplace. Take time now to create and display a stellar diversity statement for all to read! Continue your commitments so you can foster an inclusive workplace environment. To learn more about writing a comprehensive diversity statement, reach out to us – we can assist in crafting an approach that aligns with your company’s vision and values.