Over the past few years, we've seen the national conversation about diversity change as people respond to movements like #MeToo and #BlackLivesMatter. People increasingly expect their employers to support DE&I initiatives and support an inclusive workplace. One survey found that up to 86% of candidates are more likely to choose an employer that supports diversity. While most companies have a diversity equity and inclusion policy in place, not every office is welcoming to women and minorities. This presents a real challenge for employers. How do you go about creating a respectful workplace? And how do you keep diversity alive on your team?

Like many other knowledge workers, my sister has been working remotely for the last two years. The organization she works for has suddenly decided to ditch its remote-work model and has communicated to its employees that they "will no longer support remote work or hybrid program." Employees will be expected to return to the office pre-pandemic style now.

Helios HR has been helping businesses develop positive cultures for over twenty years now. In that time, we have noticed a change in attitude towards Diversity Equity and Inclusion, or DE&I.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) should be a business priority for every company. Yet many companies still lag behind, with 75% of workers saying that their employers need to do more.

It is tragic that it took the death of George Floyd for our nation at large to become more aware of the social injustice and systemic racism that has been present for centuries. The Black Lives Matter movement not only created a societal uproar in 2020, it also initiated worldwide dialogue on the significance of having a more diverse, inclusive, and safe workplaces.

(This article was originally published in the February 2021 issue of The Voice of Technology Magazine.) Today, we know that diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace practices yield a plethora of benefits. Businesses that cultivate cultures where all employees have a sense of belonging are proven to have higher engagement, productivity, innovation and are ultimately more financially successful.