A report released by the International Labour Organization (ILO) has revealed that one in four people do not feel included in their workplace.
The report, ‘Transforming Enterprises through Diversity and Inclusion’, released by the ILO found that those who felt included were in senior roles.
The study looks at organizations of different sizes in lower-middle-income and upper-middle-income economies, surveying different categories of employees– staff, managers, and senior executives. The respondents are diverse in age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic/racial/religious groups, persons with disabilities, and those with HIV.
While studies bat for DEI to enhance innovation and productivity, just about half the respondents surveyed said that necessary resources were being identified and provisioned by their organizations as part of culture and strategy. Only a third of them said that the DEI progress was being measured.
The report said that diversity and inclusion play a “critical role… in the high performance of the workforce, businesses, economies, and societies globally. If inclusion remains a privilege experienced only by those at senior levels, enterprises risk missing out on… considerable benefits.”
The lack of gender diversity in the top management is stark, as just a quarter said that women comprised a major portion of the top management. The number dwindled when it came to the representation of people with disabilities, and a third of them said there was no one with disabilities in the top management.
“The COVID-19 pandemic exposed and exacerbated existing inequalities in our economies and societies. An equal, diverse and inclusive workplace is a key driver of resilience and recovery,” said Manuela Tomei, Director of the ILO Conditions of Work and Equality Department, as per reports.
