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Michelle Palasek has 20 years in the staffing industry working in sales and marketing operations. She currently serves as a Sr. Marketing Communications Specialist at SGA.

What Is Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), and Why Is It Important?

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Businesses have many goals, such as driving sales and profits, growing brand awareness and engaging their audience, recruiting and retaining talent Businesses have many goals, such as driving sales and profits, growing brand awareness and engaging their audience, recruiting and retaining talent Businesses have many goals, such as driving sales and profits, growing brand awareness and engaging their audience, recruiting and retaining talent

What Is DEI?

DEI is a mindset and mode of operation that integrates interconnected values. It’s not only about committing to diversity in hiring practices. It also demands an inclusive and welcoming environment and a level of equity that ensures all employees know they are valued within the organization.

How do these principles work together to improve the work environment and pave the way for success?

Diversity

Diversity in the workplace refers to the representation of a range of different groups within the workforce. Despite having equal qualifications, candidates for a job may not receive equal consideration because of their age (too old or young), their gender, their race or ethnicity, or other factors.

The result is a workforce composed of people who predominantly come from the same group or set of circumstances, and this creates inherent limitations.

When employees come from diverse groups and backgrounds, they bring their unique experiences and perspectives to the table, increasing ideation and innovation that benefit the company as a whole.

Why a Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive Workplace Is Important

  • DEI is more than just a trendy catchphrase to improve your public image. Committing to increasing diversity and creating an equitable and inclusive workplace can yield a range of benefits.
  • For starters, embracing diversity increases your access to the talent pool. Companies that ignore diverse hires are unnecessarily limiting their options.
  • DEI workplaces create a sense of community where everyone is valued. This not only helps increase recruitment and retention but encourages the sharing of ideas, driving innovation and improving decision-making.
  • Diverse companies enjoy a competitive advantage in their market because of this, but studies suggest they may also experience better employee performance and profitability as a result. Businesses with greater ethnic or gender diversity tend to see financial performance exceeding the median, sometimes by as much as a third.
  • When you understand how diversity, equity, and inclusion interconnect to create a workplace that supports individuals, encourages community, and drives innovation and success, you can implement policies that ensure high morale, performance, and profit.