Racial Equity Policies Are ‘Not Genuine’, Say 3/4 Employees 

Workplace racial equity policies are performative, and ‘not genuine’ according to three in four employees around the world, confirmed a new survey released today.

Back in 2020, as employers were grappling with the pandemic and calls for racial justice, many responded with new policies/pronouncements. However, according to a survey of nearly 7,000 employees in 14 countries around the globe conducted by Catalyst, around three-quarters of employees in White-majority countries reported that their organisation’s policies are not genuine. More than two out of three employees (68%) believe their organisation’s coronavirus-related policies for the care and safety of their workers were not genuine either.

The report, Words Aren’t Enough: The Risks of Performative Policies, shows that it’s not enough to announce policies or issue statements. Organisations must follow through and take meaningful action. The data show that employees are savvy and recognise when company policies are merely performative; and when that is the conclusion they reach, there are consequences for organisations; including less engagement and intent to stay among employees.

“This report is a wake-up call for CEOs and other senior leaders at a time when employers are still facing high turnover due to the Great Resignation,” said Lorraine Hariton, Catalyst President & CEO. “When faced with the next unprecedented disruption, leaders must be able to address it with empathy and authentic, meaningful actions.”

EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE

According to the report, most employees do not view racial equity policies as genuine; but have better experiences at work when they do. Key findings show that: 

• Three-quarters (75%) of employees reported that their organisation’s racial equity policies were not genuine.
• Greater empathy from senior leaders was associated with increased perceptions of their organisation’s racial equity policies as genuine; leading to increased experiences of inclusion among employees from marginalised racial and ethnic groups and increased engagement among women.

Additionally, most employees do not view Covid-19 policies as genuine but have better experiences at work when they are. Key findings reveal that:

• More than two out of three employees (68%) reported that their organisation’s Covid-19 policies were not genuine.
• Employees who felt their organisation’s Covid-19 policies were genuine experience more inclusion, engagement, feelings of respect and value for their life circumstances, ability to balance life-work demands, and intent to stay.
• Employees who perceived their organisation’s Covid-19 policies as genuine and had empathic senior leaders experienced less burnout than others.

EMPATHETIC LEADERSHIP

Report authors Tara Van Bommel, Kathrina Robotham and Danielle M Jackson pinpoint leader empathy as a key determinant in whether employees perceived Covid-related and racial equity policies positively. Leaders who use their empathy skills are better able to create and communicate an authentic, equitable vision for the future; and reap the employee and organisational benefits, according to the survey.

“We are amid a paradigm shift that compels companies and leaders to take a stand on the defining social and environmental issues of our time,” said report author Van Bommel; who leads Catalyst’s research on women and the future of work. “Empathy is a vital skill. One that can be learned, developed, and strengthened. And when CEOs and other senior leaders are empathic with employees, they are able to address employee priorities in a vision that will bring deep change; and success to everyone.”

This report also lays out specific steps that CEOs and senior leaders can take to be authentic and sincere by using empathy skills. You can download the full study here.

Around 75% of women of colour have experienced racism; and 27% have suffered racial slurs at work, confirmed a new report. Click here to read more.