Diversity Works NZ launches new framework to measure DEI in the workplace

A new national framework has been launched to assess the levels of workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion in New Zealand’s workplaces.

Designed by Diversity Works New Zealand, the Aotearoa Inclusivity Matrix measures the maturity of DEI practices across seven key areas – leadership, diversity infrastructure, diverse recruitment, inclusive career development, bi-culturism, inclusive collaboration and social impact. It will allow organisations to assess where they sit across five levels, from starter to advanced, leading to better benchmarking standards across New Zealand.

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Diversity Works New Zealand chief executive Maretha Smit said the evidence-based framework was developed to enhance the unique diversity and inclusion dynamics that exist within the country’s workplaces.

“These seven components are the foundations of a strategic approach to creating an inclusive workplace culture, which is key to tackling inequity head-on and unlocking the social and economic benefits of diversity,” she told HRD.

“One of the most common questions we are asked about workplace inclusion is, what does good look like? The AIM framework sets that out very clearly and simply.”

The framework enables organisations to get a better understanding of what best practice DEI looks like, identify any gaps in their current initiatives, prioritise investment in the space and create pathways to track the maturity of DEI over time.

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In the long-term, the aggregated anonymous data will allow Diversity Works to create benchmarks across various industries and business sizes. Organisations will be able to map the maturity of their DEI journey against similar workplaces and the national standard.

Diversity Works NZ is also developing tools to assess individual organisations against the framework which are set to be ready for use later this year.