New global research from Catalyst has outlined how organizations can demonstrate sincere commitments to attracting, retaining, and advancing diverse talent in an era of heightened scrutiny and backlash against equity and inclusion initiatives.
The report, titled “Six Actions to Create Genuine Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Policies,” is based on a comprehensive survey of 2,572 employees across eight countries, including Canada. It provides insights into what makes diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies effective within organizations.
“In the current climate where DEI efforts are increasingly scrutinized and politicized, this research shows that organizations cannot hide behind lacklustre actions to advance DEI,” said Julie Cafley, executive-director of Catalyst Canada. “Employees see through performative policies and are willing to take their talent elsewhere when that is the case. They pay close attention to organizational behaviours that signal an authentic commitment to advancing DEI.”
When employees perceive DEI policies as authentic, they are six times more likely to view their organization as fair and 74 percent less likely to experience discrimination, it found. This perception is particularly significant for marginalized groups, who see increased fairness and reduced discrimination as a result of genuine DEI efforts.
Catalyst’s research identifies six key actions that drive authentic DEI policies:
- Communicate a fairness case for diversity: Justify actions as the right thing to do.
- Build accountability: Increase responsibility for meeting DEI goals through robust systems.
- Act with integrity: Follow through on promises and enact organizational values.
- Ensure alignment: Integrate DEI efforts with the organization’s mission and values.
- Create transparency: Share information with stakeholders about DEI policies and practices.
- Prevent a climate of silence: Encourage open discussion about workplace issues.