2022 will be a year of more tangible diversity, equity, and inclusion intent and execution aided by technology and focused DEI councils.
Studying companies across sectors, the diversity, equity, and inclusion or DEI forecast by Avtar has an eclectic mix of aspects of DEI program. The trends indicate that the focus will be on driving a DEI program gauged by measured results and making the journey more purposeful.
For deeper accountability of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion agenda, 95% of 2021 Most Inclusive Companies Index companies hold managers accountable for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion during the performance review process. Enabling them in the journey is Artificial intelligence (AI)-powered solutions. These complement DEI efforts as at least 55% of 2021 Best Companies for Women in India utilize AI-related technologies to pursue the company’s diversity agenda.
With a focus on accountability, the DEI councils will play a role in making inclusion purposeful. All 2021 Most Inclusive Companies Index Champions and 93% of 2021 Most Inclusive Companies Index Exemplars have structured DEI Councils.
There will be an emphasis on diversity in the pipeline in succession planning as most organizations are focusing on it. At least 97% of the 2021 Best Companies for Women in India have senior-level succession planning reviews for gender equity.
Enabling systemic changes and serving as role models in male-dominated sectors like manufacturing and engineering, male allyship is gaining momentum. As per research by GE & Avtar, 84% of men in the manufacturing sector believed that the manufacturing, operations, and engineering services sector would benefit from employing more women.
DEI 2022
- Employee Resource Groups to play a role in equity and inclusion- All the Champions of Inclusion support women, LGBTQ, and People with Disabilities employees through ERGs.
- Upskilling and reskilling emerge as a major tool for career transitions- 46% of the 2020 DigiPivot cohort members and up-skilling program by Google and Avtar reported their confidence for a career transition.
- Communication of DEI vision, becoming a key priority – 44% of 2021 Champions of Inclusion showcase their DEI vision in internal and external platforms.
- All 2021 Most Inclusive Companies Index companies train their hiring managers to be culturally sensitive and competent.
- Male allyship on the rise in Indian household chores – 31% of Gen Y men in India report spending equal time as their partners (2 – 5 hrs) in household chores in 2021.
