The case for employee engagement is made. Gallup’s 2017 State of the American Workplace study found that companies scoring in the highest quartile of employee engagement had higher productivity, sales and profits.
Consequentially, companies are implementing programs that foster employee well-being. One critical component of this is diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) — three separate principles that, when applied together, create an intentionally welcoming workplace that fosters top talent.
As a recent McKinsey study shows, companies that are more diverse are more likely to outperform their peers in profitability. The Great Place to Work Trust Model finds that employees who believe that their company cares about them as an individual were also most likely to describe their company as a great place to work.
Corporate citizenship or corporate social responsibility (CSR) teams exist within corporations and have the expertise and partnerships that can help propel companies’ efforts in DEI. Here are three examples of how CSR teams are leading the way:
- Establishing employee resource groups, which allow people who share specific characteristics or life experiences to engage together in activity that lifts their voices, provides professional skills building and encourages networking and teamwork. These groups can identify barriers to inclusion and proactively seek solutions.
- Creating a diverse talent pipeline by partnering with community groups to create and deliver educational programs that prepare historically underrepresented students with 21st century job skills. For example, establishing a corporate funded STEM program with a Title I school or a coding certification program with a community college can help increase the pool of skilled candidates for tech jobs.
- Supporting non-profits that are focused on DEI issues. By funding the organizations that are working to create opportunities for all and encouraging employees to get involved in the non-profit’s work, companies are building a more sustainable future for the company, its employees and the communities it serves.
Ultimately, companies understand that investing in DEI results in highly engaged employees, more robust bottom lines and healthier communities.
