With the rise of globalization and technology, businesses everywhere are now finding themselves operating in a far more competitive and diverse global market than ever before. Diversity and inclusiveness in the workplace have become necessary aspects of a successful organization that new employees have come to expect and rely on. A diverse workforce brings unique perspectives and experiences that impact the inner workings of the company and its culture. It also helps businesses better understand and serve a diverse customer base. In this post, we’ll explore real-life diversity in the workplace examples of companies across different sectors of industry and the positive impact this has had on their success.
Jump to:
- What is diversity in the workplace?
- Main benefits of diversity in the workplace
- 4 Diversity in the workplace examples
- How Kaltura helps establish diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Final thoughts
What is diversity in the workplace?
Diversity refers to the differences that exist among employees in a company, including differences in race, cultural background, language, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, physical ability, and anything that makes humans different and unique from one another.
Diversity in the workforce, therefore, refers to a company that intentionally employs a diverse group of employees and works to foster a culture that recognizes, accepts, supports, and nurtures all employees fairly and equally. A diverse and inclusive workplace seeks to leverage these differences to drive innovation, create a positive work environment, and ultimately, improve business performance.
Main Benefits of Diversity in the Workplace
Improved innovation and creativity
A diverse workplace brings together employees with different experiences, perspectives, and skills, which leads to a wider range of ideas and more creative problem-solving.
Increased employee engagement
A workplace that values and includes employees from all backgrounds leads to a more engaged and motivated workforce.
Enhanced reputation
Companies with a reputation for diversity and inclusion often attract a wider pool of job applicants and customers.
Better financial performance
Studies have shown that companies with diverse leadership teams and a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion tend to outperform their peers financially.
Diversity in the workplace examples
VMware
Employees worldwide: 37,500
Recognized time and again for their commitment to diversity and equality in the workplace, VMware continues to garner Best Employer awards by the likes of Forbes and the Human Rights Campaign. The company believes in harnessing the power of human difference by enabling a flexible, inclusive working environment that urges all employees to be their authentic selves.
As part of that commitment, VMware gives back to underrepresented communities with the help of their various employee-led People of Difference groups, offers a range of hiring programs and scholarships to empower anyone to thrive and further their career, and is involved in a range of events and initiatives to support its diverse workforce and help strengthen opportunities across the tech industry.
“We want our people to come to work as their best selves, and we believe that diversity is good for our employees and our company.”
Coca-Cola
Employees worldwide: 79,000
At Coca-Cola, diversity, equity, and inclusion aren’t mere buzzwords; they are at the heart of the company’s values and growth strategy and play an important role in its daily operations, its success, and its outlook for the future. The company offers Diversity Training as part of its education programs and has set up a Diversity Leadership Council that aims to accelerate the growth and development of female talent.
In recent years, the company’s Millennial Voices committee implemented a new parental benefits policy, which offers both new mothers and fathers 6 weeks of paid leave. As for its long-term plans, Coca-Cola aspires for its workforce to mirror the markets it serves, and is making strides toward its 2030 goal of having women hold 50% of senior leadership roles globally, and to have racial and ethnic representation reflect national census data across the U.S.
From the Coca-Cola website: “Our aspiration is not only to mirror the diversity of the communities where we operate, but also to lead and advocate for a better-shared future.”
Marriott International
Employees worldwide: 132,950
As the largest hospitality company with an ever-growing global portfolio, Marriott has been taking care of people and putting their well-being above all for nearly a century. Marriott’s award-winning holistic inclusion and diversity policy is built on three pillars: Everyone needs to feel good about themselves, their workplace, and the company’s societal role.
With a focus on unity and family, Marriott creates an inclusive environment that supports the recruitment, retention, and advancement of all employees, and actively engages in efforts to develop a diverse and inclusive workforce, owner, guest, and supplier base.
From the Marriott International website: “Our commitment to diversity and inclusion extends to global markets, where we work with local communities to create opportunities, value differences, and foster a positive sense of wellbeing.”
How Kaltura helps establish diversity, equity, and inclusion
If we’re pointing out diversity in the workplace examples, we feel it’s only right to turn the spotlight on our own commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusivity – because it is our responsibility not only to promote these values but to set an example as well.
Kaltura
Employees worldwide: 750
Kaltura has made a strong commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace. In recent years, the company has implemented a range of initiatives to create a more diverse and harmonious work environment for all, which has led to improved employee engagement, better business performance, and increased innovation. Some of the initiatives that Kaltura has implemented include:
Employee resource groups: These groups support employees of different ethnicities and backgrounds and help them meld more easily into the company’s culture while promoting tolerance and inclusion.
Diversity and inclusion training: Kaltura provides regular training on diversity and inclusion to all employees to help raise awareness and promote a culture of togetherness, mutual respect, and inclusivity.
Employee engagement: Kaltura encourages employee engagement through regular feedback and communication, to ensure that all employees feel valued and represented in the workplace.
Kaltura’s commitment to diversity was recently recognized by Built In, a leading tech media company that focuses on startups, entrepreneurship, and technology. Built In’s annual list of the 100 Best Places to Work recognizes companies that are creating the most innovative and inclusive work environments.
Kaltura has once again made this list for 2023 – as it has for the past several years – which is a testament to the company’s ongoing pledge to promoting diversity in the workplace and ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background, race, religion, gender, age, education level, sexual preference, lifestyle, physical ability, status, or role in the company, feels equally involved, recognized, and supported in all areas of the workplace.
But our commitment to diversity and inclusivity doesn’t end with just our employees. We are equally committed to our audiences worldwide, and want to ensure everyone’s access to our technology, which is why we’ve made both our platform and content accessible in the following ways:
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- Visualization – all buttons and graphics available in enlarged and high-contrast formats
- Accessible keyboard – all functionality is available from a keyboard
- Navigable keyboard – Visible Focus and proper headings and labels
- Screen reader support for every functional item on the screen (buttons, etc.)
- Automated captioning
- Multiple audio tracks, allowing textual description of the audio
- Translations
Final thoughts
Diversity and inclusion in the workplace have become critical components for businesses seeking to succeed in today’s highly competitive and diverse global market. Companies that embrace diversity and create inclusive work environments are better positioned to foster a positive work environment, drive innovation, and ultimately, improve business performance.
By embracing the differences that exist among employees, companies can create a more innovative, creative, engaged, and inclusive work environment. Of course, it is equally important for organizations to continuously evaluate and improve their diversity and inclusion programs to ensure that all employees feel valued and included. This can be achieved through ongoing training and education, employee engagement programs, and the establishment of employee resource groups.
In the end, embracing diversity and creating an inclusive work environment is much more than just a social responsibility, but is also a strategic business imperative that allows businesses to tap into the full potential of their diverse workforce, and improve their bottom line.
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