Diversity matters! A study of diversity in the workplace conducted over several years found that companies in the top quartile for gender diversity outperform their competitors by 15% and those in the top quartile for ethnic diversity outperform their competitors by 35%. Diversity in the workplace increases creativity, fosters innovation, provides better consumer understanding, enriches brainstorming and leads to better decision making.
There is Work to Do in Hampton Roads
In 2020, in partnership with SIR and Old Dominion University, the Chamber presented the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Performance Dashboard for The 757. Only 42% of employers say their organization aligns diversity with business goals and objectives. Today diversity, equity and inclusion is a business imperative. Creating a diverse business climate will ensure Hampton Roads is a region where people of all backgrounds want to live work & play.
Top 10 Best Practices for Diversity & Inclusion in the Workplace
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Make diversity and inclusion a priority of executive leadership.
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Include diversity and inclusion in your company's strategic planning process, mission and vision.
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Always require a diverse slate of candidates for every open position.
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Include diversity in your new employee orientation.
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Provide diversity awareness training for board, staff, volunteers and members.
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Advertising or marketing.
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Recruit thoughtfully.
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Support matters.
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Celebrate your workforce differences.
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Once you have a diverse workforce, keep it.
Interested in Expanding Your Efforts in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion? Here are Some Resources to Get You Started
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) - Diversity and Inclusion Resources
Harvard Business Review - Articles on Diversity & Inclusion
Project Include - A community for accelerating meaningful, enduring diversity and inclusion in the tech industry.
U. S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission - Small Business Resource Center
ONE Virginia - The ONE Virginia Plan is a state-wide effort to increase diversity, equity and inclusion across state agencies and also serve as a model for other public and private sector organizations.
Free Management Library - Series of Articles on Diversity & Inclusion
The Deloitte Global Millennial Survey 2019 - If businesses are looking to hire and sustain a millenial workforce, diversity must be a key part of the company culture.
Millennials at Work: Perspectives on Diversity & Inclusion - 2016 study by Weber Shandwick & KRC Research with the Institute for Public Relations to examine three different generations’ experiences with attitudes toward diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
Women and Leadership - Pew Research Center survey on women and leadership.
Korn Ferry - Eradicating Racism in the Corporate World Webinar Series
Korn Ferry - Inclusive Design for Talent Systems
SocialMediaToday - YouTube Provides Tips on How to Create More Inclusive Content
Business News Daily
Series of Articles on Diversity & Inclusion
Creating a Diversity & Inclusion Training Program
Facing the Gender Gap in the Workplace
A Culture of Inclusion: Promoting Workplace Diversity and Belonging
Boston Consulting Group
Series of Studies on Diversity & Inclusion
How Diverse Leadership Teams Boost Innovation
Embrace the Business Imperative of Diversity
The Mix That Matters - Innovation Through Diversity