How does your organization promote diversity and inclusion, either internally or externally?
To help organizations better promote diversity and inclusion, we asked business leaders and HR professionals this question for their best advice. From embracing uniqueness to prioritizing equal pay, several tips may help your organization better promote diversity and inclusion internally and externally.
Here are 5 tips for organizations on promoting diversity and inclusion:
Make Sweeping Changes
Our company does several things to promote and encourage diversity and inclusion. For starters, we celebrate Chinese New Year, Diwali, and many other cultural celebrations through employee-led events. We offer free courses and certifications to employees who are interested in learning more about unconscious biases or becoming a “Certified Change Agent”. We have added some different hiring initiatives to ensure that we are inclusive of all groups, including minorities, veterans, and people with disabilities. Additionally, as part of our interview feedback survey, we ask all candidates how our interview process could be more inclusive to ensure we are always improving. We also felt it was important to share some of our key diversity and inclusion hiring statistics with the public and potential job seekers, which included the following: in 2020, an impressive 60% of hires identified as being part of a minority group. We also try to showcase employees of all races and genders on our website and social media platforms, as it best reflects our diverse company culture.
Alex Arkarakas, KUBRA
Embrace Uniqueness
One of our company’s core values is “You are Unique”. While this is a broad statement, it encompasses many different meanings that we talk about and celebrate often. We foster a culture where every employee feels they can be authentic and can express themselves as this unique being, no matter what age, race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation. Diversity and inclusion focus starts in the recruitment process and carries throughout the lifecycle of each employee. This is a vital part of the growth of our company.
Jenn Christie, Markitors
Support Diverse Organizations
Our business promotes diversity and inclusion by volunteering monthly at a diverse organization. This provides inclusion as everyone from the company is involved, and it promotes diversity because we are often at a minority-run organization. It is a great way for everyone to learn and grow together and become more unified as a whole.
Chris Gadek, AdQuick
Take Social Responsibility
Be aware of what type of companies you’re working with, buying supplies from, or investing in. If you want to take social responsibility, make sure that these companies have a positive mission and are actually following through with their words. Some companies have been known to support a positive mission, but then donate money or contribute to companies that completely go against their mission. It’s important to do your research, see where exactly funding is going, and make sure you’re not accidentally contributing to a cause you don’t support.
Brandon Brown, Grin
Prioritize Pay Equity
Our organization promotes diversity and inclusion internally by stressing the significance of pay equity. Here, managers are liable to give a fair chance to all the team members so they can do their best. By doing so, they can find out which workers are underpaid for similar duties or responsibilities. With the help of people analytics, our managers can help and get to know about any pay gaps within our company. They can analyze patterns within multiple departments to get to the root of hidden issues that are deep-rooted. This insight can help our company to determine the patterns or trends that may exist where certain groups of workers, such as people of color, are being underpaid within certain business areas by getting to know about the loopholes to be addressed for the welfare of our firm. It would be best if we had the administration safeguard the rights of everyone without any bias. By doing it, we will be able to play a productive part and will see beneficial results.
Caroline Lee, CocoSign
The Best Companies for Diversity & Inclusion
Workplaces continue to innovate processes to figure out how to promote diversity in the workplace. From winning national awards for their inclusion of women and minorities to providing tailored resource groups, more companies hold diversity particularly near and dear to their mission and values.
Promoting diversity in the workplace should be a company-wide mission that encourages a safer, more inclusive, and superior workplace. Increased inclusivity brings new ideas and diverse perspectives to the workplace. The companies we will mention below view increased diversity in all forms as a professional necessity and an opportunity for cultural and financial growth.
What Does Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Mean?
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) means different things to different people, but according to the Harvard Business Review, it refers to companies embracing more than gender, race, and ethnicity. It should also be applied to include a range of abilities, ages, genders, backgrounds, beliefs, cultures, education levels, disabilities, and even sexual orientation or veteran status. DEI should also encompass how an organization is managed, from decision-making to communications.
8 Characteristics of a Company Committed to DEI
A company genuinely committed to DEI manifests this commitment through a diverse range of characteristics. These indicators not only demonstrate a company’s dedication to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment, but they also underscore the organization’s recognition that DEI is a competitive advantage. Here are 8 such characteristics:
- Diverse Leadership: A leadership team that represents different genders, ethnicities, and backgrounds is a key indicator of a company’s commitment to DEI. It showcases the recognition of diverse perspectives and experiences as valuable assets that contribute to innovation and holistic decision-making within the organization.
- Inclusive Hiring Practices: DEI-focused companies prioritize inclusive hiring by striving to draw talent from a vast pool of candidates that reflect global diversity. They proactively create recruitment strategies that reach underrepresented groups and implement unbiased selection processes to ensure equal opportunities for all applicants.
- Equal Opportunity: These companies ensure that every employee, irrespective of their background, is given equal opportunity for growth and advancement. They establish transparent performance evaluation systems and provide professional development programs that support the career progression of individuals from diverse backgrounds.
- Fair Compensation Plans: These companies conduct regular pay equity assessments, address any disparities, and establish equitable compensation structures that reward employees based on their skills, experience, and contributions.
- Continual DEI Training: Regular diversity training programs are organized to educate employees about unconscious bias and promote cultural competency. Such organizations understand the importance of ongoing education and provide resources to foster an inclusive work environment where individual differences are respected and celebrated.
- Open Communication: A culture of open communication, where everyone’s voice is heard and respected, is another significant characteristic of DEI-oriented companies. They establish channels for employees to provide feedback, share perspectives, and contribute to decision-making processes, fostering a sense of belonging and psychological safety.
- Representation: This includes diversity in roles, departments, and decision-making committees. DEI-committed companies recognize the importance of diverse representation at all levels of the organization, ensuring that different perspectives are considered in shaping strategies, policies, and initiatives.
- Flexible Work Policies: These policies accommodate the diverse needs of the workforce, including remote work, flexible hours, and accessibility considerations. DEI-focused companies understand that work-life integration is crucial for employee well-being and productivity, and they provide flexibility to support individuals in managing their personal and professional responsibilities.
How do these characteristics come together to build a strong DEI program? It starts with a clear DEI mission statement that is communicated throughout the organization. This is followed by concrete goals and actionable strategies to achieve those goals, such as hiring diverse talent, making sure everyone’s voices are heard, and allocating resources for training and education.
Best Companies for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The following organizations recognize that a diverse workforce enriches the corporate culture and performance with a multitude of perspectives, experiences, and skills. They understand that such an environment not only fosters innovation and creativity but also boosts employee morale and productivity.
Let’s get to know more about them below!
Achieve
Achieve’s culture is built with heart, authenticity, and a passion for changing the financial future. This company empowers everyone to come as they are and do meaningful work every day. With six Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and counting — Freedom Riders, Pride, Heroes, Unidos, Aspire (Asian American Pacific Islander), and She Achieves, they are committed to providing a place where everyone can feel at home. These ERGs serve as a haven for team members, friends, and advocates, allowing everyone to be seen, heard, and thrive.
Axon
Axon is a technology company based in Scottsdale that’s a public safety leader leading the development of connected devices, including body-worn cameras and evidence management software. best known for its development of body-worn cameras and evidence management software for law enforcement. The company believes in the responsibility to create a more just and inclusive workplace and world through its products, technology, and people.
Axon is committed to building products that promote racial equity, diversity, and inclusion. Axon accomplishes this by making Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, or “JEDI,” part of regular business decisions, processes, products, and actions.
Axon’s strategic JEDI plan includes goals, new investments, and accountability measurements, which will be originated and shaped by the inputs of its employees, leaders, and the communities it serves. Axon’s six global Employee Resource Groups pave the way for engaging employees, while also supporting professional development and a sense of belonging.
Desert Financial Credit Union
Desert Financial has partnered with the Filene Institute to co-sponsor the Center of Excellence for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). As a renowned “think-tank” in the credit union movement, the Filene Institute spearheads research and education to shape policies and promote best practices. The Center of Excellence, along with other initiatives, aims to provide cutting-edge insights and foster innovation. This initiative strengthens DFCU’s commitment to DEI by providing employees with access to resources and training.
KUBRA
KUBRA provides customer experience management solutions to some of North America’s largest utility and government entities. KUBRA values diversity and inclusion and has made it a top priority to foster a diverse and welcoming workplace. Over 90% of new hires reported feeling welcome when they joined. KUBRA is committed to recruiting, developing, and promoting a comprehensive workforce while providing unique opportunities and career paths for its people.
Based on survey results, over 90% of KUBRA employees agree that they are treated fairly, regardless of race, age, gender, or sexual orientation. KUBRA’s diversity and inclusion best practices enable the social and economic development of communities through partnerships, research, volunteerism, and corporate citizenship. Through its commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion, KUBRA was named one of Arizona’s Most Admired Companies in 2023.
Northern Trust
Northern Trust is a founding member of Nicsa’s Diversity Project in the United States and a member of the Diversity Project in the United Kingdom. The Diversity Project is an industry-wide initiative that aims to bring about tangible change for member firms and the global asset management industry as a whole. Its core mission is to foster a diverse and inclusive asset management sector that possesses the necessary talent to deliver optimal outcomes for clients, mirror the fabric of society, and ensure long-term business sustainability.
WillScot
At WillScot, employees are encouraged to celebrate their different cultures, backgrounds, and ideas with the help of the Inclusion & Diversity (I&D) Council. This cross-functional internal team oversees the organization’s I&D efforts and meets annually with the Inclusiveness Resource Team (IRT) Chairs and Executive Sponsors to discuss I&D achievements and opportunities.
IRTs are voluntary employee-led groups that promote a diverse and inclusive workplace aligned with the organization’s values and strategy. They provide employees with exposure, development, and opportunities to contribute to the organization and their local communities.
Currently, there are five IRTs: Women of WSMM, Veterans United, Hispanos, BOLD, and PRISM.
BestCompaniesAZ Supports The Top Diversity Programs
BestCompaniesAZ salutes all of the organizations that understand the power of inclusion and strive for excellence in diversity practices. We encourage everyone to use the resources provided by these companies and to take a stand against racism, prejudice, and intolerance. Together, we can create an environment of inclusion that allows everyone to reach their full potential!
Want to learn more about these best companies for diversity? Check out other top trendsetters in DEI initiatives and who’s hiring, and explore open opportunities at top-rated companies.
