DEI in 2023: Inspiring Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Work

What comes to mind when you think of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in 2023? Do you picture yourself working in an environment that celebrates and encourages diversity? Or do you fear the road ahead will be full of obstacles and challenges?

Although DEI in corporate America has its roots in the 1960s, true DEI in the workplace remains a work in progress. As someone who has worked with three companies, I know DEI is nothing more than flashy posters in most organizations.

Add the current economic uncertainty to the mix, and DEI might become a forgotten dream. I know at least five companies that have opted to reduce their DEI efforts to recession-proof their businesses. I’m surprised that these companies perceive DEI as nice to have” rather than necessary for Career Success. So, what will DEI in 2023 look like?

Let's look at the HR Trends for 2023 report from McLean and Company for insights.

DEI In 2023 According to Mclean & Co.

Here at Uvaro, we can't emphasize the importance of DEI initiatives in the workplace enough. They're the key to attracting and retaining top talent.

The initiatives also create a supportive work environment for everyone. With more support comes a higher level of creativity and better problem-solving. Creativity is no surprise because a diverse team will tackle an issue from different perspectives.

Despite these benefits, a report by McLean & Co. shows that most workplaces still undervalue DEI. According to the report, only 37% of organizations have a formally documented diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy. This number has stayed the same over the last three years.

The statistic means 2 out of 3 companies are still not taking DEI seriously. The report also shows that 67% of organizations say they're not experiencing DEI challenges. However, only 38% say they are high-performing in DEI.

But is 38% good enough when DEI is essential to Career Success? Definitely not. And that's a challenge for most companies to embrace DEI rather than put it away in the closet.

Apply these DEI in 2023 Trends to Your Workplace

Your DEI in 2023 should be more than a "branding strategy." By branding strategy, we mean claiming you value diversity and inclusion only to show off to the public. Instead, DEI should become a core part of your company culture.

Wondering where to start? Start by applying the following DEI in 2023 trends to make your workplace more inclusive:

1 - Build a strategy

According to the Mclean & Co. report, only 35% of businesses have an informal DEI strategy, and 28% have no strategy. Without a strategy, DEI efforts will be inefficient. Even worse, tracking your DEI initiatives and reporting successes or failures is difficult.

Organizations with DEI strategies are more likely to have high performance in DEI. These organizations will also experience better overall organizational performance. Performance improves because DEI initiatives create greater employee engagement, which leads to increased productivity.

Having a DEI strategy also ensures social and environmental sustainability. DEI strategies reduce the inequitable distribution of resources in the workplace.

As a result, there's a level playing field for everyone. You benefit from employee retention because employees rarely consider a career change when they feel included.

2 - Awareness-based training

Sometimes, DEI initiatives don't work because people in the organization are unaware of them. The Mclean & Co. report shows that a lack of leadership support is one of the challenges DEI initiatives face.

Without buy-in from leaders, DEI projects will remain stagnant and unable to create meaningful change in the workplace. After all, there's no one to set the tone for diversity and steer the organization in the right direction.

Awareness-based training can bridge this gap and create DEI champions within your organization. The training will educate leaders and employees on DEI topics like gender identity, racism, sexism, privilege, and more.

Through training, leaders will commit to DEI initiatives from the start. The commitment won't be just a checkbox. They'll be willing to get their hands dirty by having real conversations about DEI.

Training will also help leaders set clear goals and metrics around diversity, equity, and inclusion. The result is more inclusive and diverse workplaces that contribute to everyone’s Career Success.

3 - Leverage HR as a strategic partner

Gone are the days of HR being about payroll and paperwork. HR can now become a strategic partner to drive individual and organizational performance.

According to the Mclean and Co. report, when HR is a strategic partner, an organization's DEI effectiveness increases by 130%. It's no surprise, given that DEI links to HR processes like recruitment, career development, and retention.

HR can be the driving force behind DEI in 2023. For instance, they can implement DEI policies, create DEI-based recruitment processes, and ensure DEI compliance.

HR can also design DEI-focused career development programs. Such programs not only promote DEI but also increase employee engagement and satisfaction. At the same time, it will give employees the skills they need to succeed in their careers.

Effective HR departments report high proficiency in relationship building (86%), resilience (82%), and emotional intelligence (81%). These skills are critical to DEI initiatives' success.

For example, relationship building creates a safe environment that encourages open dialogue. In such an environment, organization members can express themselves without fear of judgment or retaliation.

Resilience enables DEI champions to stay focused when DEI strategies don't yield immediate results. Emotional intelligence allows you to tailor DEI initiatives to individual needs rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach. It helps you empathize with employees from different backgrounds.

4 - Implement burnout prevention resources

Stress and burnout are growing problems in the workplace. Factors such as increased role expectations, workloads, and blurred work/life boundaries are to blame. It's especially true for DEI champions who always push boundaries to create a more equitable and inclusive environment.

Stress and burnout can place DEI initiatives in jeopardy. After all, if DEI teams feel stressed, it will be hard for them to focus on DEI strategies.

You're probably already ten toes down to increase awareness about employee health and well-being. Still, it's essential to take extra measures to ensure DEI champions don't burn out.

The measures include providing DEI teams with the necessary resources to address mental health issues. DEI teams should have access to counselling services, debriefing sessions, and other forms of support.

You should also train your team on stress-management techniques such as meditation, yoga, and mindfulness. Link them to a Career Coach or Workshops that help them manage expectations and set achievable goals. Such resources will ensure DEI champions can focus on their strategies and help steer your organization towards DEI success in 2023.

5 - Encourage fulfillment

DEI initiatives are more likely to succeed when employees feel fulfilled in their roles. According to the Mclean & Co report, respondents who reported higher levels of fulfillment were 130% less likely to report job-related stress. They were also 180% less likely to report feeling burnout.

The report also shows that organizations that prioritize a better employee experience rank 2.4 times higher in DEI performance. When employees feel supported in an inclusive and equitable work environment, nothing can stop them from achieving success.

So, how can you encourage fulfillment in your workplace? Since we're talking about DEI, focus on creating a culture of inclusion. This means providing DEI-focused training programs and activities.

You should also create an open dialogue for DEI initiatives. Let your employees have their say about DEI efforts in the workplace. Listen to their feedback and use it to create DEI initiatives that meet their needs.

6 - Make DEI initiatives a priority

There has been a surge in DEI prioritization since the pandemic. Compared to 2021, DEI prioritization dropped from fourth to sixth place.

Organizations have lost their focus on the long-term efforts in DEI initiatives to try and save costs. Are you one of them?

If DEI isn’t already a priority in your organization, you need to make it one. Mclean & Co reports that DEI-driven HR departments perform 2x better in recruiting.

DEI initiatives increase the perception of your organization as an employer. This perception, in turn, attracts more diverse and talented candidates. Furthermore, when your HR department is DEI-oriented, they can hire a diverse team that brings unique perspectives to the table.

So, how can you make DEI a priority? By overcoming the biggest hurdle to DEI success. According to the survey, the hurdle is a lack of dedicated time for DEI work.

You can overcome the challenge by going beyond DEI awareness days and carving out time for DEI initiatives on your calendar. Keep DEI at the forefront of your strategy by working with DEI experts, implementing DEI frameworks, and reviewing DEI metrics.

Champion DEI in the workplace with Uvaro

DEI in 2023 should be at the top of your organization’s agenda. Strong DEI initiatives play a key role in helping your employees attain fulfillment in their careers. DEI makes them fulfilled in their peer community, which is a key component of Career Success.

If you feel like you don't know where to start in championing DEI in your workplace, Uvaro is here to help! We have resources that can teach you how to tackle your own biases and create a diverse workplace.

During our Workshops, you can learn techniques to incorporate to inculcate a culture of equity. Download our Career Success Catalog to learn more about our Courses, Career Coaching, and core values!