Diversity is firmly on the agenda in many workplaces – and for good reason:
Younger generations are entering the job market with clear expectations that companies live up to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including a strong focus on diversity and equality.
At the same time, there is growing pressure from investors, boards, and private equity firms for companies to work strategically with diversity, equity, and inclusion. Diversity is also increasingly relevant in external reporting, such as ESG disclosures.
In many sectors, labor shortages mean the competition for talent is fierce. Focusing on diversity in recruitment and career development can be crucial for attracting and retaining the right people.
A diverse culture delivers clear benefits
Diversity is not only about recruitment – it’s also about the everyday culture in the workplace. It’s about recognizing the value of bringing together people with different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.Research consistently shows the benefits of a diverse culture, including:
- Employees with different backgrounds contribute unique perspectives and ideas. When these are combined, they lead to innovation and creative problem-solving.
- A diverse workforce is better equipped to understand and meet the needs of an equally diverse customer base – strengthening client relationships and competitiveness.
- Inclusive workplaces where everyone feels respected and valued see higher employee satisfaction and retention.
- When people with different backgrounds and perspectives are involved in decision-making, it leads to more nuanced and well-considered decisions.
DEI: A framework for diversity, equity, and inclusion
Efforts around diversity are often organized under the international concept of DEI – Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Diversity: Recognizes that all people are different. It’s about creating space for varied identities, including age, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, abilities, socioeconomic background, education, experience, and viewpoints.
Equity: Ensures everyone has a fair chance to succeed. It’s about removing cultural and structural barriers that prevent certain individuals or groups from accessing the same opportunities as others.
Inclusion: It’s about respecting and valuing each other’s differences, and ensuring that everyone feels comfortable and included in the workplace. This highlights that diversity can’t be achieved through hiring alone – companies must ensure that everyone, regardless of background, has the opportunity to contribute and see the impact of their contributions.
Questions for reflection
- Do you have a clear overview of diversity across your organization?
- Is diversity a strategic priority in your company?
- Does your organization attract top talent across backgrounds such as age, gender, ethnicity, and more?
- Do all employees feel valued for their contributions – regardless of their background?
- Have you invited others to reflect on and describe the culture you truly have?
Inspired by “Bæredygtig ledelse” by Jeanette Fangel Løgstrup
Work with DEI Data Using GAIS
We’ve integrated a DEI question module into the GAIS platform – we call it Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. By including all or selected questions in your employee engagement survey, you can establish a baseline for your diversity efforts. The data provides insights into how employees perceive diversity across business units, gender, age, tenure, and more.
Track Progress and Report
Based on the insights from the survey, you can launch targeted initiatives to build and strengthen an inclusive and diverse workplace culture. The GAIS Action Center helps you keep track of initiatives and maintain an overview of the progress . You can also continuously measure the impact of your efforts through follow-up surveys and track the development over time.
These diversity insights are highly valuable for various types of reporting – both internally to management and the board, and externally, for example as part of the Social section in ESG reporting.
GAIS Questions on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Do you feel that the composition of employees in the organization reflects appropriate diversity?
- Do you feel that the leadership level in the organization reflects appropriate diversity?
- Do you feel that there is equal access to tasks and opportunities in the organization regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, race, nationality, disabilities, or similar factors?
- Do you feel that the organization is transparent about its principles for promotions and development opportunities?
- Do you feel accepted for who you are in the workplace?
- Do your personal values align with those of the organization?
- Are you aware of the organization’s policies on diversity and inclusion?
- Do you have any comments or suggestions regarding diversity and inclusion in our organization?
Working with DEI data?
Let us show you how.
Book a meeting with us to explore how you can uncover the different aspects of diversity and equity in your workplace.
