Having a diverse workforce is important for businesses because it attracts top talent. It also helps employees feel comfortable in the workplace and promotes a more inclusive culture.

A company that values diversity will not only have a better reputation, it will also be more profitable. This is because it is able to reach new customers, improve revenue, and recruit overall retention.

Gender

Gender diversity is about acknowledging that there are many different gender identities, and it’s an umbrella term for a variety of ways that people express themselves. It’s not about being “attention seeking” or trying to get special treatment, it’s about being your true self.

In the workplace, it’s important to be inclusive of gender diverse employees by using the correct pronouns and names when talking to them. This will make them feel safe and heard.

Unfortunately, many workplaces are still focused on the traditional view of gender and how that affects their business. Gender stereotyping can be detrimental to the workplace, as it can lead to sex-based pay inequalities, negative comments in meetings, and other forms of discrimination.

Race

The term race refers to distinct human groups that share some outward physical characteristics and some commonalities of culture and history. However, there is considerable doubt about the biological basis for racial classifications and many social scientists do not prefer to use the terms race or racial group.

The United States is increasingly racially and ethnically diverse. This is changing how the nation’s workforce is organized.

Although most Americans value diversity in the workplace, a majority say employers should only take a person’s qualifications into consideration when making decisions about hiring and promotions. Most Americans (74%) also say that a person’s race or ethnicity should not be taken into account when considering an applicant for a job.

Ethnicity

Ethnicity is the term used to describe a group of people who identify with their ethnic background, based on a shared history, language, culture, religion, and ancestry. It is different from race, which is used to describe people based on a person’s physical traits.

Typically, people will self-identify with one of several groups. They could be Irish, Italian or Filipino, for example.

You may be asked about your race or ethnicity on forms with checkboxes, such as the census, medical form and job application. Data on racial and ethnic diversity helps to determine which government programs are available to particular groups. It also helps to reduce discrimination and ensure fair treatment in public services.

Disability

People with disabilities have an equal right to employment and access to the workforce. However, disability discrimination still exists in many sectors of the economy, and many people with disabilities remain underemployed.

Creating a disability-inclusive workplace can help you tap into this talent pool and attract the best possible employees. Moreover, it can lead to high employee retention rates and strong customer loyalty.

In addition, the implementation of disability inclusion policies can improve team productivity. This can be especially true for neurodivergent people who think and work differently from their peers.

Including employees with disabilities in the workforce helps ensure they have the same access to training, equipment and services as all others. The result is improved productivity and higher profitability.

Sexual Orientation

Sexual orientation is a recurring pattern of emotional, romantic, or sexual attraction to people of the same gender or different genders. It’s often confused with gender identity (which is the internal sense of being male, female, or non-binary), but it’s important to distinguish them.

Research shows that LGBTQ+ employees are more likely to experience discrimination at work, and that a supportive workplace culture is associated with higher job satisfaction, trust in their employer, and employee loyalty. When they’re in a positive, inclusive environment, “out” employees are 20 to 30% more productive than their peers who are closeted at work.

In the US, about 45% of LGB people say that their employer discriminates against them. This is a significant problem, as LGBTQ+ people are less likely to be hired, promoted, and retained in the workplace than their straight counterparts.