Diversity & Inclusion
In Canadian Equality Consulting Inc.’s March blog series, we explore Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace. Our aim is to start a productive conversation about why and how to make your workplace more diverse and inclusive by asking questions such as: What is workplace diversity? What is workplace inclusion? How can I work to implement them in my workplace? What obstacles can we work to overcome? How do I get started?
Of course, before we begin this conversation, the first question that readers who are new to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) work may ask is: What is diversity and inclusion?
The Treasury Board of Canada defines a diverse workforce as a workforce “made up of individuals who have an array of identities, abilities, backgrounds, cultures, skills, perspectives and experiences that are representative of Canada’s current and evolving population.”
Similarly, an inclusive workforce is defined as one that is “fair, equitable, supportive, welcoming and respectful. It recognizes, values and leverages differences in identities, abilities, backgrounds, cultures, skills, experiences and perspectives that support and reinforce Canada’s evolving human rights framework.”
We know organizations have many competing priorities – so why prioritize diversity and inclusion?
The short answer is because building diversity and inclusion will benefit your organization. Here are some quick statistics about why diversity matters in the workplace:
- Demographic shifts are showing increased young people (25-34) including Millennials and Gen Z are entering the labour market and positions of organizational leadership. Diversity and inclusion are some of the main asks of employers by this age group.
- Two-thirds of job seekers consider an organization’s workplace diversity and inclusion efforts when job hunting.
- A diverse and inclusive employee base, with a range of perspectives, is simply more competitive in a globalized economy, to both clients and prospective employees.
- An inclusive workplace enables employees to make better decisions by up to 20%.
- Companies in the top 25% for gender diversity on their executive teams were 21% more likely to have above-average profitability than companies in the lowest 25%.
- Inclusion in the workplace makes an organization 19% more likely to retain employees.
- And ultimately, diverse workforces are 33% more likely to be profitable than non-diverse workforces.
See the benefits already? Then join us in this six-part series as we examine:
- What is Workplace Diversity?
- What is Workplace Inclusion?
- Examples of workplace Diversity & Inclusion
- Why Diversity and Inclusion efforts fail
- Resources for workplace Diversity and Inclusion
- CEC Services related to Diversity & Inclusion in the workplace
Need help with increasing and supporting workplace diversity? Contact Canadian Equality Consulting and begin a discussion on how to make your workplace more responsive to the needs of your diverse employees.