Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is essential to any successful workplace, yet progress remains slow for many companies. To set things right, many are going back to the basics to understand how to create safe and inclusive workspaces for all. Pacific Prime explores DEI in this article.

What Is DEI in the Workplace? 

DEI is an umbrella term for everything an organization does to form and sustain an environment that’s safe and accepting for all, regardless of ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, physical ability, and more.

DEI can include policies, programs, practices, and strategies. Essentially, a company with diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture helps create a positive experience for its entire workforce. Let’s take a look at what DEI is by breaking down diversity, equity, and inclusion in a workplace setting.

Diversity

To combat equity issues, organizations can’t just hire different races, ethnicities, ages, genders, sexual orientations, or religions. It’s also crucial to hire people with diverse:

• Skills
• Experiences
• Education
• Personalities
• Beliefs

Even though there are more categories when it comes to diversity, the aforementioned list is a good start to see if there are any existing gaps within your own workforce. Similarly, you can use them to create metrics and set goals to enhance workplace diversity.

Equity

While equality is when everyone can have the same opportunities, equity at work is when there is an even playing field for such opportunities. Equity considers that everyone starts at the same level and has an equal chance. It also ensures that processes, programs, and practices are fair to all.

For example, an employer that understands equity is likely to identify critical areas of experience that are necessary for a role instead of years of experience.

Inclusion

In an inclusive workplace, all employees are welcome to participate and contribute. It’s impossible to have a truly inclusive workplace without diversity. After all, inclusion is easy when everyone has similar backgrounds and credentials.

But when there’s a combination of backgrounds, experiences, and genders, organizations must consider whether everyone feels like they belong and if they can show up as their true selves at work or not.

Why Is DEI Important in the Workplace?

Employees that work in organizations with the best diversity, equity, and inclusion practices feel like they are seen and heard. These workplaces are socially sound places to work, which is already a noteworthy feat in itself, but the benefits of DEI in the workplace don’t end just there.

DEI Increases Productivity and Profitability

Numerous studies show that organizations that are more diverse and inclusive have higher levels of productivity and profit. What’s more, these organizations are often quicker at making decisions and experience better cooperation amongst team members. 

DEI Improves Engagement and Reduces Absenteeism

DEI and employee engagement go hand-in-hand. The studies also illustrate that engagement increases when a company’s DEI efforts go up, subsequently making absenteeism drop as well. Employees who feel included are more motivated to perform at their best and more likely to stay loyal to their employer.

DEI Helps You Attract and Retain Employees 

Workplaces that focus on DEI not only have a better chance of retaining employees but attracting them as well. Companies that fail to keep up with DEI practices are going to have a difficult time attracting and retaining top talent in the highly competitive job market.

DEI Increases Innovation and Related Profits 

Companies that are made up of different people with different experiences and backgrounds are bound to get more ideas so long as they’re fairly spread throughout different roles and departments. They should also feel that their opinion and insights have the same weight as others.

Discover more benefits of a diverse and inclusive workplace in our Global Employee Benefits Trends 2022.

How to Practice DEI in the Workplace

Many people make the mistake of focusing on one part of DEI like diversity. However, all pieces of the DEI puzzle are integral. That’s why it pays to understand each element of DEI and how they interact together to create a truly diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace.

It doesn’t matter if you’re just beginning your company’s DEI journey or have already been working on it for years, it’s imperative to realize that DEI efforts are never finished. Organizations should constantly be learning and adjusting to make these efforts successful.

Design the Ideal Employee Benefits Plan with Pacific Prime 

Employers who wish to embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion have to ensure that their employee benefits cater to a diverse workforce. Flexible benefits, which offer various benefit options for employees to choose from, are a great place to start.

As a leading health insurance broker and employee benefits specialist, Pacific Prime can help you find the right employee benefits solution or corporate insurance to match your company’s needs. We’re also equally committed to DEI practices and are excited to help more companies get on board. 

Contact us to arrange a free consultation and learn more about what we can do for you today! 

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Jantra Jacobs

Senior Copywriter at Pacific Prime

Jantra Jacobs is a Senior Copywriter at Pacific Prime with over 10 years of writing and editing experience. She writes and edits a diverse variety of online and offline copy, including sales and marketing materials ranging from articles and advertising copy to reports, guides, RFPs, and more.

Jantra curates and reports on the results of Pacific Prime’s monthly newsletters, as well as manages Pacific Prime’s Deputy Global CEO’s LinkedIn posts. Complemented by her background in business writing, Jantra’s passion for health, insurance, and employee benefits helps her create engaging content - no matter how complex the subject is.

Growing up as a third-culture kid has given her a multicultural perspective that helps her relate to expats and their families while 8 years of working remotely have given her unique insight into hybrid work arrangements and enthusiasm for employee benefits.

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