Despite the benefits of a more inclusive workplace, a
Suncorp-backed Diversity Council Australia (DCA) study has found that Australia's workplaces still have some way to go when it comes to embracing diversity and inclusion.
The DCA-Suncorp Inclusion@Work Index, the first national index of inclusion experiences of Australian workers, has revealed that workers in inclusive teams are almost five times more likely to indicate their team provides excellent customer/client service; and are 19 times more likely to be very satisfied with their job, compared to workers in non-inclusive workplaces.
DCA CEO Lisa Annese said the study, which polled 3,000 Australian workers, showed “a high level of support for inclusion in Australian workplaces with some 75% of people in support or strong support of inclusion programs."
The study also found that employees in inclusive teams are nine times more likely to innovate; 10 times more likely to be highly effective; and four times more likely to stay with their employer over the coming year.
"Despite these benefits, we found that people who don’t belong to a particular minority or diversity group, such as men from Anglo-cultural backgrounds and older men, are less supportive of inclusion programs,” Annese said. “It was also revealed that more than one in five Australian workers experienced discrimination or harassment last year alone (22%). This figure spiked to 38% for aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, followed closely by Australians with a disability (34%), and Australians under 30 (30%)."
Michael Cameron, Suncorp CEO & managing director, said creating a more inclusive workplace has a positive impact across industries.
“Our businesses perform at their best when leaders provide an environment where people feel included, connected and valued,” Cameron said.
Annese echoed Cameron's sentiments, saying that providing safe and inclusive workplaces for employees can boost business outcomes.
“Cutting harassment and increasing job satisfaction has significant repercussions,” Annese said. “And inclusion, as it turns out, plays a much bigger part in achieving this than we previously knew – our research provides the missing piece of statistical evidence about just how important it is. With currently one in two Australians reporting to work in an inclusive team, it’s good to remember that this can be done, and with the right benchmarks in place we hope to see companies address this over the coming year. What this research has also made abundantly clear is the strong support for Australian employers to invest in inclusive workplaces, and the overwhelming business and employee benefits of doing so.”
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