The world of work has changed significantly due to globalization, technological advancements, and the pandemic, resulting in an increasingly diverse and multicultural labor force. As such, the importance of diversity and inclusion (D&I) in the workplace is at the forefront of discussions.
Pew Research Center’s 2023 study reported that over half of US workers think that improving D&I at work is advantageous. The Diversity and Inclusion Global Market Report 2022 also shed light on this, stating that diverse companies yield 2.5 times higher cash flow per employee and inclusive teams enjoy a 35% productivity boost. Furthermore, 76% of employees and job seekers, according to a Glassdoor survey in 2021, consider a diverse workforce crucial when evaluating companies and job offers.
It’s clear that D&I is more than just a buzzword, it’s a vital aspect of the modern workplace, which is why Resume Help published a new study, The Power of Diversity and Inclusion at Work after surveying over 1,000 workers to delve deeper into this topic, examining the significance of D&I in today’s workplace, the pros and cons of workplace diversity, best practices for inclusive recruitment, prejudices, and stereotypes at work, experiences of discrimination, and views on diversity and inclusion.
Key findings from the survey revealed that:
- 8 in 10 respondents believe inclusive workplaces make us better individuals.
- 81% consider diversity to be essential in a modern workplace.
- 77% would leave their job if they noticed their employer discriminating against employees.82% believe that diversity and inclusion contribute to the long-term success of organizations.
- 86% think the hiring process must always be free from bias.
- 77% acknowledge that prejudices and stereotypes negatively affect the overall employee experience.
- 76% admit that stereotyping is present in their workplace.
- 61% have felt discriminated against at work due to their appearance.
In discussing these results, it’s essential to understand the meaning of diversity and inclusion at work. Diversity involves including people from a wide array of backgrounds, while inclusion ensures everyone is recognized and feels a sense of belonging at work.
The study also exposed interesting disparities in perceptions of workplace diversity within demographic groups. For instance, diversity was seen as most important by ethnic minority representatives (81%), employees of companies with 201–500 workers (78%), and those in the software/IT industry (77%). Contrastingly, respondents without a college degree viewed diversity as least important, with 23% considering it unimportant or very unimportant.Perceptions of diversity and inclusion varied depending on demographic characteristics. While younger generations, particularly Gen Z employees, value a sense of purpose more than a high salary or job security and therefore place greater importance on D&I, there were notable variations within different age groups, industries, income levels, education, and political affiliations.
The survey also collected opinions on the emphasis placed on diversity and inclusion in the workplace, with 26% of respondents believing there was too much emphasis, 26% claiming there wasn’t enough, and 48% considering the amount to be just right.In conclusion, the study emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in today’s workplaces and presents a clear call to action for organizations to create environments that encourage diversity and ensure inclusion. The benefits of such action are evident in the productivity, success, and overall improvement of the workplace culture.
