Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace: Why is it Important?

Companies have a duty to ensure that all employees feel safe, supported and able to succeed, with diversity and inclusion in the workplace being key aspects of this. Huge progress has been made in recent years, but there is still work to do.

Larger companies that operate in globalised industries are more exposed to these issues and so typically take the lead when it comes to diversity and inclusion in the workplace, often having policies which enshrine these values in the company's bylaws. This not only ensures that their employees are happy and productive, but that they can attract the most qualified applicants and prestigious clients.

Smaller companies, typically SMEs, have a greater role to play when it comes to equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace, even if their efforts might go under the radar somewhat. Having these policies front and centre — and making it clear that these values are important — can help companies become more adaptable and be able to compete at a higher level, bringing in more talented team members.

What Is Diversity and Inclusion?

Diversity and inclusion is a term used to describe the policies and actions implemented by an organisation to ensure that all members are given an equal opportunity to succeed and receive the support they need to be able to do their job. Diversity and inclusion can also be used to describe how a workforce is composed, particularly with regard to ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender and disability.

The fundamental goal of diversity and inclusion policies is to make sure that all members of an organisation receive fair, just and equitable treatment at the hands of their employer, senior members of staff, and their fellow colleagues. It protects employees against discrimination and, while much progress has been made in recent years, there is still work to do. These policies should generally always be treated as a work in progress, evolving with society.

Diversity and inclusion are essential for any organisation as we move forward and make strides in other areas of society. These policies ensure that an organisation makes decisions that are fair to all employees, including job applicants and new members of the team, creating a healthier work environment where people feel capable of fulfilling their goals and succeeding.

What’s the difference between diversity and inclusion?

Although they're often used interchangeably and for the same purpose, there's a clear difference between diversity and inclusion, particularly when discussing them in a workplace context.

Diversity is used to describe how everyone is different from one another and there are a number of agreed characteristics that can be used to describe it.

These protected characteristics, according to the UK Government, are:

• Age
• Gender reassignment
• Being married or in a civil partnership
• Being pregnant or on maternity leave
• Disability
• Race including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin
• Religion or belief
• Sex
• Sexual orientation

You could label a workplace as being diverse when it's made up of a variety of people from different backgrounds at the various levels of the organisation, whether it be at an administrative level, operational level or senior/decision-making level. For a workplace to be truly diverse, this needs to run throughout the organisation and be visible.

Diversity only sometimes brings with it inclusivity, however. Inclusion describes the way in which employees feel welcome within an organisation and have the ability to influence, contribute and make key decisions. In order to be an inclusive employer, it's vital that workers are able to fully engage with the organisation and have the same opportunities to succeed as everybody else — even if that means they need extra support or access.

Equity in the workplace

Equity in the workplace means that all employees and potential job candidates have the same opportunities and are treated fairly, regardless of their background. It encompasses both diversity and inclusion, creating a fair, safe and respectful working environment, as well as a positive company culture.

Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace

Diversity and inclusion should be absolutely key when discussing workplace matters and opportunities for progression, reflecting the overall direction in which the organisation is heading. As an employer and manager, you should strike for fairness and equal opportunities to be present in every aspect of your business.

These values are not just clear internally but are also observed elsewhere, including with clients and customers. If a prospective client can clearly see a diverse and inclusive business, they’ll likely be more impressed and more likely to work with you. It’s even been reported that 64% of customers consider making an immediate purchase after seeing a diverse advertisement.

Promoting diversity and inclusion in the office

Much of promoting diversity, inclusion and equity in the workplace starts in the office. While it’s all well and good having the policies there, you need to put it into action. Think about all the different people you have and could employ throughout the business’ life — and think about how many different needs there are. While you don’t need to accommodate the needs of an employee that doesn’t exist (yet), it’s a good idea to start future-proofing the workspace.

You may have an employee that wants to pray during the day, so ensuring you have a prayer room available can help them feel integrated and part of the business. Increased diversity in cultures brings opportunity to celebrate a broader suite of events and holidays, promoting more diverse cuisine in the food and beverages you make available during celebrations.

As well as this, different personality types have different needs. Introverted personalities may prefer space to focus and break away from an open office layout. Creating ‘zones’ that are suited to the different working preferences and activities gives employees the freedom to choose where they want to work, depending on the mood they’re in.

Ensuring your office space is accessible to all your employees whatever their mobility requirements is key. The variety of spaces you have designed are only as useful as they are accessible to all who may want to use them. As a general point, be open and honest when discussing any policies about the office space, ensuring everyone can share their honest opinions without being judged. And if they feel listened to and accommodated for, you’re far likelier to boost employee retention rates. If you’re curious about finding a diverse office space for your team, our advisors will be more than willing to help.

Benefits of Inclusion in the Workplace

1. Higher employee moraley
   As stated by Warwick University, workers that feel included and integrated into a company are much more likely to be responsive and productive. If your team members can see that you’re actively taking steps to ensure they're happy and that you’re making positive changes, they’re much more likely to work enthusiastically.
2. Increased productivity
   

   All employees come with their own obstacles and needs. Take the time to learn about any disabilities or setbacks your employees may be going through, and provide them with any adjustments so they have the best opportunity to excel.

   This could mean creating solo study pods in the office for those who may feel overly stimulated, or a large meeting room for teams who thrive in collaborative spaces. Creating an agile office layout means you can experience the best of all working spaces, giving your employees the freedom to choose how and where they work.

3. Stronger prospects
   

   Employees who are happy and feel welcome are much more likely to work harder, according to Oxford University. Supporting your employees by being inclusive means that they’ll be more productive while actively enjoying their work.

   This then means that prospective employees can see from the outside that your organisation is a great place to work, with all team members being granted the opportunity to succeed and progress.

Benefits of Diversity in the Workplace

There are clear advantages and benefits of being a diverse and inclusive employer. From employee satisfaction and success to impressing customers and clients, promoting an equal workforce can work wonders for your business.

1. Greater creativity and problem-solving

A diverse workplace can draw upon the shared experience of all its members, allowing for new perspectives on issues that one demographic may not know much about, allowing for better insights and actions. Having people draw upon their own lived experiences creates innovation and allows you to make better-informed decisions.

Advertising and marketing, for example, can reach wider audiences if you have a diverse strategy team. This can both improve the output and productivity, and create a more collaborative experience at work. An inclusive working office can help employees connect on a more personal level

2. Better decision-making

When team members are better informed about diversity and inclusion, they can make decisions that are based on more robust knowledge and insights, resulting in better results for your business and, in turn, happier clients. According to a white paper published by Cleverpop, diverse teams make decisions that are better than non-diverse teams 87% of the time, making clear the impact that these policies can have.

Being able to make decisions that are better-informed means that employees are more socially aware and can work on projects concerning these issues with greater understanding and accuracy. This increases innovation and output within the team and makes it clear why incorporating a diversity policy into your recruitment strategy can set you up for both immediate and long-term success.

3. A better reputation

A key advantage of creating a diverse and inclusive workplace is that you can create an environment that is welcoming and friendly, resulting in higher employee retention rates. By ensuring employees feel supported, they’ll be more likely to succeed at their job, boosting productivity for your business. This means that both employees and employers are able to work and operate with greater confidence and achieve their goals much easier. It also fosters a collaborative working environment, creating an office that people want to commute to.

Diversity and inclusion also reflect well for those looking at your business from the outside, with diversity often being highly observable. Having the right workforce actually says a lot about what your business stands for. Organisations that are perceived as being diverse are seen as being more socially aware and attentive to the human aspect of their business, improving brand reputation and attracting new customers, clients and talent.

Promoting Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace

Diversity and inclusion has become increasingly important for businesses, both small and large, who want to take positive steps to becoming better employers. If you’re looking to make changes, get in touch with our team to find an office that meets your inclusion and accessibility needs.

As the world of work evolves, how can you stay competitive?

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