31 Benefits of Workplace DEI & B
Introduction
“The U.S. will become ‘minority white’ in 2045.” [1]
The 2020 U. S. Census reflected a looming workforce shortage. However, it also revealed a ready supply of workers within two minority groups. These eager groups of employees require a culture of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging.
Transformational DEI & B workplace processes and procedures level the playing field. It is the new business norm. Future one-off sporadic training workshops will be inadequate. DEI workplace initiatives are now an imperative to achieve Belonging!
America’s Founding Fathers were incredibly wise. They wrote a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging planning tool 235 years ago! It reads, in part:
“The actual Enumeration shall be made
within three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and
in such Manner as they shall by Law direct.” [2]
Why are DEI & B workplace initiatives important?
Every man is guilty of all the good he did not do.
By appreciation, we make excellence in others our own property.
Prejudices are what fools use for reason.
For many decades, business leaders had a ready supply of labor. Previous immigrant groups brought knowledge, skills, and abilities along with strong task commitment. Additionally, they assimilated rapidly into the workforce. Until recently, business plans to manage the new multi-cultural workforce have been tepid. As a result, remedies addressing systemic inequalities must be increased. American business is currently faced with a tsunami of economic, social, and legal issues requiring immediate responses for a healthy and productive workplace.
Today’s highly diverse workforce is career focused and seriously aspirational. When supported by DEI workplace programs, workforce job commitment and performance increases and heightens bottom line profitability. Employee well-being, cultural inclusivity, and belonging are icing on the cake!
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging initiatives encompass 4 transformative workplace concepts.
What Is Diversity?
Diversity is the presence of differences within a political, social, or business environment
Demographic shifts will continue over the next 25 years. For that reason, it’s incumbent upon business leaders to create programs that support workplace cultural diversity. Employee diversity recruitment policies, programs, and comprehensive training are essential tools that attract, hire, retain, and support an innovative workforce. Your market dominance now depends upon a diverse pool of highly skilled talent!
Diversity is not an imposition upon your business
It’s a distinct advantage
6 Benefits of Diversity
For the past 20 years Antrim Consulting has observed diversity in the workplace benefits the entire business. Leading researchers, governmental agencies, and workplace gurus agree diverse workforce development is a long term commitment. The benefits of diversity training are compelling:
1. Attracts candidates from diverse educational systems
2. Levels the playing field
3. Replaces damaging behaviors with collaboration, innovation, and emotional wellbeing
4. Builds strong job commitment across departments and teams
5. Accelerates culture inclusivity and organizational cohesiveness
6. Builds system-wide commitment for employee retention, productivity, and performance
Antrim Consulting works closely with clients to identify and implement cultural diversity in the workplace. We offer unique recruitment strategies to expand your candidate pool. Our customized training modules and ongoing implementation methods will support your current and future requirements for employee diversity.
What is Equity?
Equity refers to fair access, equal opportunity, and advancement for all employees
It creates a heightened environment for employee participation and contribution
Eliminating barriers to equitable treatment requires a commitment to change system-wide policies, processes, and procedures.
Over the past 20 years, Antrim Consulting has observed organizations, often unintentionally, fail to create an equitable workplace. Strategies for equitable systems, i.e., recruitment, hiring, onboarding, mentoring, training, and fair compensation are required.
When leadership ensures fairness to all,
employees support business objectives and change initiatives
9 Equity Workplace Benefits
1. Attracts high quality talent
2. Creates impartiality in compensation and benefit programs
3. Provides equal opportunities for all
4. Broadens employee perspectives
5. Motivates individual and team performance
6. Strengthens cultural cohesiveness
7. Increases employee retention
8. Builds respect and trust in management
9. Creates a fair and equitable workplace
Word gets around. In a world of worker shortages, your business reputation will soar!
What Is Inclusion?
The achievement of a work environment in which all individuals are treated fairly and respectfully, have equal access to opportunities and resources, and contribute fully to the organization's success [3]
Building and achieving an inclusive workplace requires time, focus, and long-term commitment. Impactful policies, processes, and procedures must be reimagined. Once implemented, watch for positive outcomes!
An inclusive workplace fosters innovative thinking
It eradicates bullying and/or unintentional bias
Inclusion in the workplace generates feelings of emotional safety and acceptance. Emotionally comfortable employees are at ease. They are innovative in offering solutions and interact easily with others, no matter their rank or title!
Today’s workforce search for respectful and inclusive cultures. They are drawn to organizations with strong diversity and inclusion programs. Bonus? Management is highly respected and trusted!
10 Benefits of an Inclusive Workplace
Cultural inclusion provides company-wide advantages to employees and it:
1. Broadens employment outreach
2. Create a culture of workplace respect, tolerance, and inclusion
3. Lessens unconscious bias, bullying, and/or harassment
4. Demonstrate employer commitment for a Culture of Belonging
5. Prevents workplace polarization, bigotry, and distrust
6. Generates innovative thinking
7. Increases employee retention
8. Builds rapid and cohesive team communication
9. Increases trust in management
10. Reduces potential litigation
What is Workplace Belonging?
Belonging is an employee’s sense of value and safety when expressing their thoughts and offering solutions, without receiving judgement or negativity. Belonging occurs when employees know their uniqueness is recognized and valued by the organization and fellow colleagues. Belonging allows an employee to bring their unique knowledge, skills, abilities, and perspectives to the workplace on a daily basis.
6 Benefits of a Culture of Belonging[4]
1. 56% increase in job performance
2. 50% reduction in workforce turnover
3. 75% decrease in workforce sick days
4. 25% performance decline for an excluded individual, with just one incidence of project-related micro-exclusion
5. Highly engaged and energized workforce
6. Decreased quiet quitting attitudes and behaviors
Antrim Consulting address your organization's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policies. We also have Belonging in our sights! Antrim is here to help you build and achieve a pathway for sustainable workplace Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging.
America’s workforce demographic shift has arrived. That’s why Antrim Consulting believes it’s essential for your business leaders to foster a DEIB workplace for your organization’s future.
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