At Rotary, we are committed to treating everyone with dignity and respect, allowing everyone’s voice to be heard, and providing equitable opportunities for fellowship, service and leadership.
Connecting the Dots between DEI and Vocational Service
January is the Month of ‘Vocational Service’ in Rotary.
Each Rotarian is a connecting link between the service idealism of Rotary and their classification and profession. Highly relevant to vocational service is one of the Rotary Avenues of Service. The object of Rotary, as highlighted in the Constitution of Rotary International, is to encourage and foster high ethical standards in business and professions, and the application of the ideal of service in personal, business and community life. It also facilitates the advancement of international understanding and goodwill through a world fellowship of businessmen and professional men and women united in the ideal of service.
When we approach how DEI and vocational service are related, some of the primary areas we look into are incorporation of DEI practices by Rotarians into their profession and workplaces, and initiatives Rotary clubs can consider to raise DEI awareness in businesses.
In summary, DEI practices in business and in the workplace facilitate
(1) employees to feel supported, welcomed, safe, and provided with opportunities and tools to be who they are, to contribute in their capacity, to perform their talents which are recognized and appreciated, and to pursue their own career progression; and
(2) all stakeholders along the supply chain of the business, upstream and downstream, and customers to feel fairly treated.
Diversity in the workplace
Businesses can achieve workplace diversity by employing people from various backgrounds based on gender, race and ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, socioeconomic class etc. It also emphasizes the importance of embracing differences in physical and mental ability, marital status, parental status, etc.
People often unconsciously hire or promote individuals who share similar characteristics as themselves. However, different backgrounds bring in different points of view, which ultimately leads to better ideas. From a business standpoint, different perspectives directly influence a product — how it’s made, who it serves, how it functions etc. Diversity unleashes more possibilities of innovation with solutions to the most pressing problems of our day.
Equity in the workplace
Companies that establish equitable environments not only support diverse workforces, but also incentivize employees to invest more energy and passion into their positions which in turn improves productivity. Despite such, studies have shown that
relatively small shares of senior management place a lot of importance on diversity in their workplace.
Inclusion in business and workplace
Inclusion extends beyond diversity and refers to employees’ workplace experiences. It involves creating an environment where all employees feel valued, respected, and fully integrated into an organization’s culture and operations.
Leadership of an organization is essentially a group of ethical leaders who can make the organization more inclusive. Companies that take steps to cultivate a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace can then reduce employee turnover and enjoy a more stable workforce through the years.
Benefits of DEI practice adopted in the workplace
A McKinsey & Company analysis showed that companies with more cultural, racial, ethical and gender diversity within their leadership teams are more likely to have higher profits. In 2022, McKinsey & Company reported that companies with robust DEI programmes were better able to respond to challenges, win top talent and meet the needs of different customer bases.
Companies that establish equitable environments not only support diverse workforces, but also incentivize employees to invest more energy and passion into their positions which in turn improves productivity. Despite such, studies have shown that relatively small shares of senior management place a lot of importance on diversity in their workplace.
Tips for businesses and organizations to pursue DEI practice
- Invest in diversity initiatives
- Emphasize DEI education
- Employees can take courses and earn certifications in subjects such as inclusion guidelines
- for data visualization and inclusive content creation.
- Offer bias training sessions
- Everyone grows up with unconscious biases instilled into them by society. Training can
- increase employees’ awareness of implicit biases and unlearn them.
- Promote Pay Equity
- Ensuring employees earn equitable salaries based on their performance with equitable
- tools and support provided to them based on their unique needs.
- Prioritize developing talent from underrepresented groups
- Mentorship program
- Formal mentorship program in an organization greatly increases the number of
- employees from an underrepresented background in its leadership positions.
WHY DEI MATTERS?” SERIES
International Day of Education (24 January)
Education is a transformative process, enabling learners to gain essential knowledge, values, attitudes, skills, and behaviors, thereby empowering them to serve as catalysts for better inclusion and development in their communities. The foundation of more peaceful, just, and sustainable societies is laid through education and inclusion.
The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 24 January as International Day of Education, to promote inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. Education offers children a ladder out of poverty and a path to a promising career and future. Equitable access regardless of gender, socioeconomic status, or location, and inclusive policies are crucial, empowering individuals for personal growth and contribution to society.
