Nearly two-thirds of employees think their companies are not doing enough to foster diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEI&B) in the workplace, revealed a new survey.
Although 89% of survey respondents work for companies with DEI&B programme, 62% believe that the programmes are not doing what they are designed to do, according to the study from WebMD Health Services. Nearly half (46%) reported that DEI&B programmes have failed them personally, revealed the report entitled Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging: Uncovering What Employees are Offered, Want and Need. DEI&B may include education and training, mental and emotional health support, mentoring, resources for gender identity and sexual health, and paid time off for volunteering.
Most respondents (64%) said they would benefit if their company were truly committed to DEI&B. Nearly nine in 10 reported stress over issues ranging from the economy and world events, and 68% said they needed more help from their companies in managing their financial, emotional, and mental and physical health concerns.
ISSUES WITH BELONGING
Although all aspects of DEI&B fell short, employees were particularly critical of efforts to support a feeling of belonging; in other words, they matter and are valued. More than half (57%) of respondents cited “belonging” as needing improvement, compared with 43% who said diversity was their key concern. Additionally:
- One in three employees reported their opinions are not valued.
- One in five reported that they feel like an outsider, isolated, and unfairly excluded from roles and tasks that would lead to advancement.
- More than one-third said their talents are neither utilised nor appreciated by managers, and 20% said they are treated differently based on how they look.
ISSUES POTENTIALLY GREATER FOR LGBTQ+ BLACK EMPLOYEES
LGBTQ+ respondents were more likely than others to report concerns with belonging, while Black respondents were more likely to cite issues with diversity, and that they had been treated differently based on looks.
Taken together, eight in 10 LGBTQ+ and Black employees reported they would personally benefit if their company was truly committed to DEI&B. Additionally, more than three in four reported they want to work for a company that values DEI&B.
CALL FOR ACCOUNTABILITY
While the survey found that a wide majority (89%) of employees believe their company CEO would publicly endorse DEI&B, the results point to a disconnect between this high-level support, employee perceptions, and overall impact of programmes and policies.
Nearly half of survey respondents (46%) cited a lack of accountability in achieving DEI&B goals. A majority (73%) said the job of promoting and implementing DEI&B should rest with managers or supervisors, rather than senior leaders, and only 16% said the job should be left to human resources departments.
“Although most employees work for companies with DEI&B programs, the majority are not experiencing the benefits,” shared Christine Muldoon, Vice president of strategy at WebMD Health Services. “This survey tells us that programmes and policies aren’t enough on their own. What is needed now are strategies that can leverage those programs so they change workplace culture at all levels. This commitment, combined with effective accountability, can empower employees to bring their best contributions and authentic selves to the workplace.”
Click here to view the survey.
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