FOCUS FEATURE


DIVERSITY & INCLUSION


It aims to increase diversity within the workforce of local


businesses and the numbers of BAME candidates getting internships and jobs with businesses across the region, to create more opportunities for high-skilled work in the local economy. The university will work with businesses and


organisations to design a toolkit for companies that helps them improve upon their processes for recruiting BAME graduates and filling senior roles with people from diverse backgrounds. A new in-work mentoring programme will also be


devised to give support and leadership training to DMU graduates starting their first job. Meanwhile, a recent report by lesbian, gay, bisexual and


transgender (LGBT) rights charity Stonewall found that more than a third of LGBT staff (35%) have hidden or disguised that they are LGBT at work because they were afraid of discrimination. Almost one in five (18%) said they had been the target of


negative comments or conduct from work colleagues because they're LGBT. A similar percentage of LGBT people looking for work


said they were discriminated against because of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity while trying to get a job. And when it comes to gender discrimination, the UK’s


biggest companies are still being urged to keep up the pace to meet the 33% target for women on boards by next year. Recent figures showed that although FTSE 100


organisations are close to hitting the target, with 32.1% of their board positions held by women, FTSE 250 firms are some way off, with women in 27.5% of positions. Across the FTSE 350, women represent 29.1% of board positions, up from 26.7% since November 2018. But 14 FTSE 350 companies still have only one woman or less on their board.


UNLOCKING THE BENEFITS Many business benefits come from fully embracing diversity and equality to create an inclusive corporate culture. Because diversity in the workplace, by its very definition,


means that employees will possess unique and individual characteristics and backgrounds, they are also more likely to have a variety of different skills and experiences. As a result, they will be able to bring a variety of


different perspectives to the table, which can be beneficial when it comes to business planning and strategy. Along similar lines, people from different backgrounds


tend to have different experiences and ways of thinking, which can lead to increased creativity and innovation when it comes to solving problems. There is also a direct link between diversity and decision-


making, as when employees with different perspectives come together, the solutions they develop lead to more informed and improved decision-making processes and results. Companies which make better decisions faster hold a significant advantage over their competitors and often achieve better business results and reap more profit. Better engagement is also an outcome of diversity and inclusion. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work out that the more included employees feel, the more engaged they are. This manifests itself as staff who tend to be more loyal,


hardworking and creative, and who take responsibility for their own performance to drive the business forward. Diversity in the workplace causes employees to feel


accepted and valued, which means they are happier in their jobs and will stay longer with a company, particularly if


58 business network September 2019


‘Because diversity in the workplace, by its very definition, means that employees will possess unique and individual characteristics and backgrounds, they are also more likely to have a variety of different skills and experiences’


their loyalty is rewarded with further opportunities to advance their careers. It can also boosts a company’s employer brand and


present the company as a desirable place to work, which can be an important asset when it comes to attracting the top talent from an increasingly diverse labour market. And finally, having a diverse workforce will create a more


positive impression of your business and make it easier for many different people to relate to your company and your brand. This will open doors to new markets, customers and opportunities. Companies which are dedicated to building and


promoting diversity in the workplace are seen as good, more human and socially responsible organisations. While it may be a cliché to say that nothing worth


achieving comes easily, that doesn’t mean it’s not true. The benefits of true workplace diversity are so attractive


that the challenges associated with achieving it need to be faced down. In the current business climate, with uncertainties


continuing to swirl and Brexit looming ever closer, workplace unity, diversity and inclusion will be the keys to success. Can businesses afford to ignore them?


Embracing diversity and equality creates an inclusive corporate culture


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