Diversity and Inclusion Not the Same Thing.

PositionTHE WORKPLACE - Company rankings

Workplace diversity is gaining momentum. Linkedln's 2018 Global Recruiting Trends report found 78% of the U.S. companies surveyed are focusing on diversity. The three top reasons were to improve corporate culture, elevate company performance, and to represent their customers better.

Further research shows companies with more-diverse workforces see increasing profits. A report by global management consulting firm McKinsey & Company, New York--observing more than 300 firms in the U.S., Canada, United Kingdom, and Latin America--found that companies ranking in the top 25th percentile for gender diversity on their executive teams were 21% more likely to turn a profit above the national average.

McKinsey & Company also reports that, when ethnic and cultural diversity are taken into account for executive teams, companies are 33% more likely to see better-than-average profits.

"There's a significant correlation between diversity and performance," says Betty Ng, CEO of Inspiring Diversity, LLC, New York, and author of Po-Ling Power: Propelling Yourself and Others to Success. "A diverse workforce can improve innovation, customer relationships, and employee retention, which are essential elements for business growth."

There is an important distinction in definition between diversity and inclusion, and numerous studies and diversity advocates say one is not effective without the other. A diverse workplace employs people from a wide range of cultures and backgrounds. An inclusive workplace treats all employees with dignity and respect, and policies are in place for equality, human rights, and fair recruitment. As Ng notes, diversity's full range of positives in the workplace will not transpire without true inclusion being practiced.

"Diversity has to be a conscious effort, and companies wanting to recruit and retain diverse employees need to create a culture of inclusion, which needs to start at the top and needs to be woven into the day-to-day operations."

Ng gives five ways workplace diversity and...

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT