In an era of great social justice and equality awareness, organizations finally realize the importance of fostering a workplace culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Beyond the moral imperatives of DEI, initiatives have become critical drivers for employee retention, organizational success, and overall well-being.
In this blog article, we will explore DEI and retention initiatives with Ms. Maria Kithcart, an Associate Faculty member in the BAHRM/ MHRM Program and learn about the relationship between the two. We will cover the essential elements that turn the workplace into a culture of inclusive communities where each person feels appreciated, respected, and empowered. It will also explore the fundamental ideas of DEI and various retention strategies that can be implemented to keep employees motivated and engaged.
Join us as we explore retention and diversity initiatives that can help organizations create inclusive, varied, and equitable environments that ultimately drive employee engagement, loyalty, and long-term success.
What is Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the Workplace?
Ms. Maria Kithcart defines Diversity as the “presence of differences that may include race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, nationality, socioeconomic status, language, (dis)ability, age, religious commitment, political perspective, characteristics, level of education, personal value.”
Ms. Kithcart creates two levels of diversity:
- Surface-level diversity, which falls into the visible characteristics of a person
- Deep-level Diversity is when individuals share characteristics and opinions such as attitudes, values, and beliefs.
Why Prioritize DEI In YOUR Organization?
To prioritize DEI is to promote a healthy environment in which people feel safe, free, and included. This fosters a higher degree of engagement, productivity, and innovation that directly contributes to an organization’s financial well-being.
In my opinion, one of the biggest benefits of prioritizing DEI is its ability to bring different people from different backgrounds and experiences under one organization. This melting pot will provide an organization with employees who possess multiple skill sets, educational backgrounds, and perspectives. When an employer prioritizes DEI, employees tend to trust the organization more and are more loyal to them. In addition, DEI helps improve employee satisfaction rates and retention. The idea of DEI is to provide the employee with a culture that fosters teamwork and inclusion!
Equity, Equity, EQUITY!!
Equity has an entirely different definition in the workplace. It fosters fairness, impartiality, and justice. On the other hand, inclusion ensures that diverse individuals genuinely experience and are accepted. Ms. Maria Kithcart provided a compelling example of the differences between Diversity and inclusion: “Diversity is being invited to the dance, while inclusion is being asked to dance.”
DEI Helps Retain Employees
DEI initiatives play a significant role in retaining employees by creating a workplace where individuals feel valued, respected, and empowered. Fostering a culture of inclusivity and embracing differences regardless of ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, etc. It starts with management! Management plays a crucial role in the implementation and success. Management is the role model of the organization, who sets the tone by being consistent throughout the organization regardless of the position of the employee. Encouraging collaboration and implementing feedback, management creates a workplace where all employees feel they have access to equal opportunity for growth and development.
Downfalls of NOT Prioritizing DEI
Have you ever been employed at a place where it seems like people come and go monthly? Or where people place bets on how long a new employee will last? High turnover rates and lower employee satisfaction are a direct consequence of not prioritizing DEI. Employees need to feel heard, appreciated, and embraced. When an organization does not take DEI seriously, they lose out on the ability to create a brand with buy-in from the employees. In addition, by not prioritizing DEI, organizations lose out on having team members who feel empowered to have different opinions that they can voice freely and without judgment.
Key Takeaways!
Prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the workplace is not only morally essential but also a strategic decision that directly impacts employee retention, organizational success, and overall well-being. By fostering a culture of inclusivity, fairness, and respect, organizations can create a workplace where employees feel valued, empowered, and inspired to give their best.
Fransheska Rodriguez
Vice President
Forbes School of Business & Technology® SHRM Chapter
