Six ways DEI programs are changing as businesses focus on employee skills, reorganize, and use AI

Focusing on the 'I' in DEI — Inclusion

DEI programs encompass various aspects, such as employer branding, attracting a diverse talent pool, screening and hiring processes, and compensation strategies.

Inclusion specifically refers to an individual's workplace experience and their sense of belonging within an organization. Research highlights that when employees feel included, they are more likely to join and stay with the company. Employee benefits are a critical part of this experience, and companies should consider how their benefit packages reflect the organization's values to both current staff and potential recruits.

Ferring Pharmaceuticals introduced an inclusive initiative in 2022, offering unlimited financial support for family-building through IVF, adoption, surrogacy, or childbirth, regardless of gender or sexual orientation. According to Ferring’s Tailor, this initiative exemplifies the company’s inclusive culture.

“We focus more on the 'I' than on the 'D' and 'E'," Tailor explained. "We do this to foster a culture and working environment where employees can bring their whole selves to work."

Integrating AI with Culture and Leadership

As businesses adapt their hiring strategies, culture continues to evolve.

"Inclusion and belonging are central to our culture, our value proposition, and key to our business outcomes," said Borgonovo from Mastercard. "It’s crucial that all 34,000 of us take shared responsibility in creating a culture where everyone feels they belong."

Mastercard is also exploring how AI can enhance business leaders' efficiency and help them be more intentional in driving DEI and other workforce goals.

"How do we support leaders in being proactive and efficient?" Borgonovo asked. "AI can assist by automating certain tasks, giving leaders more time to coach and develop their teams."

The company is also exploring AI as a tool for leadership development, allowing leaders to role-play scenarios and receive feedback on their engagement with teams. "AI can serve as your coach, copilot, and leadership enhancer," Borgonovo said.

Breaking Down the DEI Silo

Indeed’s Hulce emphasized the importance of integrating DEI into all processes across the organization. "How do we make equity a norm throughout our procedures?" she asked.

This approach goes beyond just diverse hiring practices; it also focuses on leadership decisions in areas such as promotions, bonuses, and assignments.

"How do you evaluate that?" Hulce inquired. "How do you consistently engage with managers at all levels to ensure equity is prioritized?"

Indeed’s previous DEI team worked separately from HR, but after restructuring, they integrated DEI across the business, elevating their former head of DEI to Chief People Officer.

Hulce explained that this integration was crucial for scaling DEI goals and accountability. "It’s impossible to influence everyone if DEI isn’t embedded in core processes," she said.

Infosys is also reassessing its DEI structure, combining a centralized corporate DEI team with DEI councils within individual industry units. According to Anant Adya, an executive vice president at Infosys, AI tools will be leveraged to evaluate DEI effectiveness.

Using AI for Fair Hiring While Maintaining a Human Touch

Infosys is using AI to analyze hiring data and detect biases.

"It’s crucial to examine how hiring patterns are evolving and identify any biases," Adya noted. AI will also help assess the effectiveness of various recruitment sources.

"Employee referrals often perform the best," Adya said. "But this may not always align with specific DEI initiatives."

By utilizing AI to analyze recruitment platforms, partnerships, and talent pipelines, Infosys aims to optimize its hiring strategies to meet DEI goals.

However, AI cannot replace the need for human involvement. Adya pointed out that there is sometimes concern that hiring is solely focused on meeting DEI metrics, which can feel burdensome.

He emphasized that transparent communication about recruitment processes helps alleviate uncertainty. "Clear dialogue about why these efforts are crucial for the company helps employees understand the rationale," he explained.

Using AI Insights to Evolve the DEI Narrative

Supporters of DEI argue that diverse and inclusive workplaces drive better business outcomes, and studies support this claim.

Chris Deri, president of Weber Shandwick’s corporate advisory business, noted that critics often focus on the methods used to achieve diversity, such as prioritizing women for leadership roles over men.

Deri suggested that companies should focus on DEI outcomes and tangible business benefits. "AI can surface insights that may not be immediately obvious," he said.

Using AI to analyze company data can help demonstrate the real-world impact of DEI initiatives, such as attracting new customers, developing products, and building community trust. Deri believes this approach can reshape the conversation about DEI, shifting the focus from process to outcomes.

"As AI tools analyze the outcomes of DEI efforts, we can tell a new story about the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace," Deri concluded.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paraphrasing text from "Business Insider" all rights reserved by the original author.