Lack of diversity leads to employee disengagement, finds report
The Canadian Marketing Association (CMA) has released a new document to help employers in addressing problems when it comes to issues of diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace.
The guide includes conversation starters intended to help organizational leaders “articulate a commitment” and specify the what they will do to create a more inclusive and equitable work environment. Doing so will help improve employee engagement and morale, according to the CMA.
“Creating real organizational change starts at the top,” said Alison Simpson, president and CEO, CMA. “Our DEI Discussion Guide will help leaders create a meaningful, individualized blueprint toward more diverse, equitable and inclusive workplaces. This will not only strengthen internal culture but deliver better business results. Diverse organizations benefit from increased innovation, productivity and business growth, along with an improved ability to attract high-quality employees, and stronger relationships with customers and external partners.”
Despite all the talk about diversity and inclusion in the workplace, sexual minorities in the construction industry have worse experiences in their field compared with their heterosexual counterparts, according to a previous report.
Conversation starters
CMA’s conversation starters that were included in the discussion guide cover the following topics:
- the current workplace
- employees’ sentiments and expectations
- interview panels at the organization
- preventable employee loss
- ageism
- mentorship
- employing newcomers to Canada
The guide ask employers such questions as:
- Are you working to build an inclusive workplace?
- Have you observed a shift in employees’ sentiments and expectations related to inclusion in your workplace?
- Do you ensure your hiring panels are diverse?
- Are people in your organization promoted based on merit?
- Is age discrimination tolerated in your workplace?
- Do you have a mentorship program in your workplace?
- Do you place a higher value on Canadian experience and education in your workplace?
Two-thirds (66%) of employees who belong to marginalized racial and ethnic groups have experienced some form of racism in their entire career, and organization leaders are the instigators of these acts, according to a previous report from Catalyst.
DEI and employee engagement
CMA’s guide comes months after it found that workers believe that a leadership team that is well-diversified supports business growth (96 per cent) and offers many benefits (98 per cent).
However, employee disengagement rates due to discrimination are rising (60 per cent in 2023 compared to 52 per cent in 2022), based on CMA’s study – released in May this year – that was based on a survey of 435 marketing professionals.
When these employees feel disengaged, most (65 per cent) will start looking for a new job, according to the report.
“To stay competitive in the job market, DEI strategies and initiatives are a must-have to attract and retain talent,” said Matt Tenney, CEO of The Generous Group, said in a piece for Business Leadership Today.
However, these strategies must be more than just slogans, he said.
“The key to building diverse teams that can achieve the positive business outcomes we desire is fostering a culture of inclusion within our organizations that supports equity and diversity efforts.
“An inclusive culture is a workplace culture that is supportive of and respectful toward all employees. Organizations with inclusive cultures embrace differences in backgrounds and experiences and build high-performing teams of employees who are engaged with their work and invested in the organization’s success.”
One Indigenous influencer previously said that in order for you to be an effective leader, “you have to be able to listen”.