What is DE&I and Why is It Important for Your Organization?
The acronym “DE&I” has become commonplace in American business culture in recent years. But do you really know what it means? Defining diversity, equity and inclusion involves breaking down each word to its own unique meaning, as each contributes an important context to the broader effort to build welcoming, vibrant workplaces.
How To Define Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Diversity
Diversity is the foundational building block of an innovative workforce. Diversity refers to the many differences that exist between people. In a business sense, it often is talked about in the context of race and gender but should also be looked at from other angles. For example, diversity can include ethnicity, religion, political viewpoints, education, work experience, learning type, disability, sexual orientation and more. The goal for organizations is to build a workforce comprised of employees who represent the full diversity of the customers and clients they serve, allowing them to bring their unique perspective and experiences to the table.
Equity
An equitable workplace is one in which all employees are treated the same —regardless of how diverse they are from one another. Equity involves action and strategy: ensuring employees are being paid the same for the same work, that all workers have access to the same opportunities, and proactively rooting out bias and discrimination that could create challenges for a diverse workforce.
Inclusion
Inclusion means that all employees feel welcomed and valued by the employer and their colleagues, so this step could be the most challenging for employers—but holds the biggest return on investment. Inclusion is best thought of in the context of retention. While diversity should be a goal for talent acquisition, diverse employees will be flight risks if they’re not working in an inclusive environment.
Defining diversity, equity and inclusion in this way illustrates how complex DE&I is for organizations, and the work employers need to put in in order to create truly welcoming workplaces. From recruitment to onboarding and throughout the entire employee lifecycle, DE&I needs to be front and center on the agenda for HR and business leaders to ensure an engaged and thriving workforce.
Do you need help recruiting diverse candidates to join your organization in MD, VA, or the greater DC metro area? Elite’s experienced staff has been proactively recruiting diversity candidates for years. Learn more about our process and call us today to get started!