Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) has been a topic of conversation over the last few months and DEI initiatives continue to be a priority for Australian businesses aiming to build more equitable workplaces. While diversity and equity often receive the spotlight, inclusion, the “I” in DEI is just as important. Without intentional inclusion efforts, staff may not feel valued, supported, or heard, leading to disengagement and higher attrition rates.
In this blog, we explore why inclusion is important and outline practical steps businesses can take to foster a truly inclusive environment for all.
What is inclusion?
Put simply, inclusion refers to the practice of ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their background, abilities, or characteristics, are valued, respected, and provided with equal opportunities to participate. It involves creating environments where diversity is embraced, barriers are removed, and everyone feels a sense of belonging.
What is inclusion?
There are many benefits to being inclusive, most importantly, creating safe environments for everyone ensures we all bring our best selves to work and will provide better service to customers. Research has also shown that inclusive practices lead to better business outcomes. Here are some key findings:
- Inclusion leads to higher employee engagement and retention. According to Gallup, employees who feel included are 3.5 times more likely to be engaged at work and less likely to leave their jobs.
- Inclusion leads to increased innovation and performance. A Deloitte study found that organisations with inclusive cultures are twice as likely to meet or exceed financial targets and six times more likely to be innovative and agile.
- Inclusion leads to better decision-making. Research from Cloverpop indicates that diverse and inclusive teams make better decisions up to 87% of the time compared to non-diverse teams.
- Inclusion leads to an enhanced brand reputation. Companies that prioritise inclusion are more attractive to top talent and consumers. A Glassdoor survey found that 76% of job seekers consider workplace diversity and inclusion an important factor when evaluating job opportunities.
Ways to Foster Inclusion
Building an inclusive workplace requires strategic and sustained practical efforts. Below, we share some practical, actionable steps you can take to create an inclusive environment.
Leadership commitment and accountability
- Train leaders on inclusive leadership practices. Foster a culture of accountability and hold executives and managers accountable for fostering inclusion through key performance indicators (KPIs).
- Encourage leaders to model inclusive behaviours, such as actively listening and ensuring all voices are heard in meetings.
Develop inclusive policies and practices
- Implement fair hiring and promotion practices in your recruitment and ensure you minimise bias.
- Offer flexible work arrangements that accommodate diverse needs and ensure there is equitable access to resources, training, and career development opportunities for all your staff.
Enhance psychological safety
- Create an environment where employees feel safe to voice their opinions without fear of judgment. This can be achieved by encouraging open dialogue and providing channels for employees to share feedback anonymously.
Support employee resource groups (ERGs)
- Establish Employee resource groups for underrepresented groups to foster a sense of belonging. Where required, ensure these groups have funding and leadership support to ensure meaningful impact.
Regularly measure and improve inclusion efforts
- Conduct employee surveys regularly to assess feelings of inclusion and belonging. This is most effective when you combine qualitative and quantitative data to identify gaps and track progress.
- Continuously iterate and refine inclusion strategies based on feedback and outcomes.
Promote inclusive communication
- Encourage the use inclusive language in all communications to ensure everyone is included.
Diversity and equity alone are not enough we must continue to prioritise inclusion to create truly thriving workplaces. By committing to intentional inclusion efforts, businesses can enhance employee engagement, drive innovation, and improve overall performance. Inclusion isn’t just a checkbox; it’s a strategic imperative that benefits individuals, teams, and organisations as a whole.
By adding the “I” into your DEI plan, your business can move beyond representation to create an environment where every employee feels valued, heard, and empowered to contribute their best work.
We’re here to help
Regardless of where you are in your DEI journey, our team of professionals is available to help. Reach out to use today and let’s walk this journey together
