Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and the Contemporary Workplace

Name: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and the Contemporary Workplace
Author: Pam Gonzales-Wheeler

Learn the initial steps to implementing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in your workplace

Preview the first lesson free — get full access to all 4 lessons.

Course: On-Demand

(gentle tones ringing) Welcome to KnowledgeCity's course, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and The Contemporary Workplace. In these lessons, you'll learn about the impact that intentional dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion or DEI, can have on an organization's success. We'll also discuss some of the common sources of resistance across DEI initiatives and what the organization's role is in addressing resistance and moving initiatives forward. There are varying degrees of understanding buy-in and dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion within the contemporary workplace. Some may see them as buzzwords applied through political pressure and others may see them as a mandatory and necessary focus for promoting a sense of belonging. Regardless of how individuals see the integration of DEI, the research paints a positive picture. A 2020 Glassdoor workforce analysis found that diverse organizations are 35% more likely to financially outperform their competitors. The study also revealed that 70% are more likely to capture new markets and 87% are more likely to make better and faster business decisions with fewer meetings. These statistics show that increasing your organizational representation positively impacts organizational reach, efficiency, and revenue. The research suggests that it's beneficial on the back end but doesn't mean that the workforce necessarily agrees. The 2020 Glassdoor report also showed 76% of job seekers consider a diverse workforce an important factor when evaluating companies and job offers. Research by Gallup estimates that emotionally disconnected employees cost the global economy approximately $7 trillion per year because they are less productive and more likely to increase employee unrest, call in sick, and drive customers away. So the trend also suggests here that DEI impacts employee recruitment, retention and productivity. While the influence DEI has on an organization may be evident, solely focusing on statistics, this is a huge part of why it's so impactful and important to people. It's because DEI is personal. By definition, diversity is about representation across identity. Inclusion is about a sense of belonging across identity and equity is about applying fairness across identity. There is nothing more personal than identity. This means that integrating DEI into culture and policy challenges the traditional idea that the professional and personal are separate. With DEI it's best to no longer leave the personal at home in order to be professional at work. And now that different personal experiences, values and expectations are at play, it's inevitable to feel resistance regardless of the statistical proof.

Intermediate Provider : Pam Gonzales-Wheeler 4 Lessons · 14m in German, English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Urdu, Chinese

Course Description

The workplace as it’s been traditionally run over the past decades is dramatically changing. The way people communicate, the technology used, and whether employees work in the office physically has shifted. With that shift has come a change in many corporate cultures, which now include what’s known popularly as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, or DEI. The integration of this new idea has improved consumer relations and employee satisfaction. An emphasis on DEI ensures that a company keeps policies and processes in place that proactively engage people of different backgrounds, so they’re represented and included in their workforce.

This Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and the Contemporary Workplace course showcases the impact that encouraging DEI in your company can have. You’ll learn about the resistance that some employees may have in promoting some of the actions and how to counteract them. You’ll also discover your company’s role in reformulating that frame of mind to make it a successful initiative.

What You'll Learn

Define Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
Identify the impact that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion can have in the workplace
Analyze the sources of workplace resistance to DEI
Classify an organization's role in overcoming resistance to DEI initiatives
Recognize how to counteract employee resistance to DEI actions

Key Takeaways

The traditional workplace is changing in how people communicate, the technology used, and whether employees work physically in the office.
Many corporate cultures now include Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), which has improved consumer relations and employee satisfaction.
An emphasis on DEI keeps policies and processes in place that proactively engage people of different backgrounds so they are represented and included in the workforce.
Some employees may resist promoting DEI actions, and the course covers how to counteract that resistance.
The organization plays a role in reformulating that frame of mind to make a DEI initiative successful.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this course cover?

It showcases the impact that encouraging Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in your company can have. It covers defining DEI, identifying its impact, analyzing workplace resistance, and classifying an organization's role in overcoming that resistance.

What will I learn about resistance to DEI?

You'll learn about the resistance that some employees may have in promoting some DEI actions and how to counteract them, including the sources of resistance and the organization's role in overcoming it.

What skills does this course help build?

It builds skills in Diversity and Inclusion, Diversity Equity and Inclusion Policies, Diversity Equity and Inclusion Initiatives, Diversity Training, and Workplace Diversity.

What topics are included in the lessons?

The lessons cover Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Sources of Resistance; The Organization's Role; and a Test Your Knowledge assessment.