5 Min Read
What is DEI? A transformational element for driving workplace success
August 14, 2023 / Unisys Corporation
Short on time? Read the key takeaways:
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are integral to establishing a successful and thriving workplace, positively impacting employee engagement, productivity, and loyalty.
- Diversity extends beyond corporate reputation and involves valuing the distinct characteristics of all employees, while equity seeks to rectify disparities and provide equal opportunities for all.
- Implementing DEI initiatives, establishing robust corporate governance for ethics and compliance, and setting up a global inclusion and diversity council are effective strategies for fostering DEI in the workplace.
- Inclusive workplaces that embrace a diverse range of cultures, backgrounds, and ways of thinking allow employees to feel comfortable being themselves, which boosts their engagement and productivity levels.
In an increasingly global and interconnected world, embracing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) is a must for businesses seeking to succeed and thrive.
Companies such as Unisys exemplify this progressive approach, integrating DEI into their hiring and recruiting processes. The objective? To establish a workforce that not only demonstrates diversity but also fosters inclusivity and ensures equity. The result? A strong sense of belonging among employees, which positively impacts their engagement, productivity, and loyalty to the organization.
Decoding diversity: more than just a buzzword
In the 21st-century workplace, diversity extends beyond ticking boxes for corporate reputation. It acts as a powerful magnet, attracting a broad spectrum of talent, offering insights into a diverse client base, fostering innovative solutions, and, ultimately, amplifying business performance and profits.
But what does diversity truly entail?
Diversity in the workplace denotes the inclusion of individuals with distinct characteristics. These characteristics span a gamut of areas including race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic background, religion, language, and military service.
Promoting diversity, therefore, begins with individual action. It involves educating oneself about diverse cultures and traditions, fostering openness to new ideas and perspectives, and building relationships with colleagues from different backgrounds.
Moreover, launching DEI initiatives helps companies attract, retain, and develop a diverse workforce. These initiatives may involve supporting associate interest groups, conducting unconscious bias awareness trainings, promoting pay equity, or establishing global mentoring programs.
Equity: the cornerstone of fairness
Equity in the workplace embodies fairness and impartiality. Unlike equality, which assumes everyone begins on an equal footing, equity acknowledges inherent disparities. It advocates for the creation of support systems to rectify these disparities, providing everyone with equal opportunities.
Why is equity critical to a successful workplace?
Equity ensures that all employees are treated fairly, enabling equal access to opportunities. This not only fosters employee retention and drives diversity but also bolsters the company's bottom line.
A global inclusion and diversity council can play a pivotal role in building an equitable workplace, comprising representatives from various regions and business units, reflecting the company's geographic demographics in terms of gender, ethnicity, race, and disability.
Inclusion: essential for a thriving workplace
Every individual in an organization brings a unique set of experiences, skills, capabilities, and aspirations to the table. Inclusion ensures that these individual attributes are valued, enabling every employee to contribute to the organization's success.
For this to occur, companies must establish robust corporate governance for their ethics, compliance, privacy, security, and supply chain programs, with all associates trained regularly on these policies.
The power of inclusion
An inclusive workplace cultivates a rich environment where diverse cultures, backgrounds, and ways of thinking are embraced. When employees feel comfortable being themselves, they are more engaged, productive, and ultimately, happier.
In conclusion, DEI is not merely a trend or a corporate buzzword but a key driver of success in the modern workplace. A diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment is more than just a place to work – it's a place to grow, innovate, and truly belong.
DEI at Unisys
Unisys is dedicated to building a workplace where everyone thrives and belongs. We grasp the power that inclusion and diversity hold, not only in our work life but also in our ability to deliver extraordinary service to our clients and make a positive impact in the communities we call home.
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