The DEIB Disconnect: Greater Awareness of Corporate Diversity Efforts Isn’t Translating into Workplace Belonging and Connectedness
Key Findings:
- Survey Participants: The report is based on a survey of 3,100 employees, HR professionals, and CEOs.
- Trend Over Time: Despite a reported increase in awareness of corporate DEIB initiatives, feelings of belonging and connectedness have declined significantly:
- CEOs:
- Feeling like they belong: -8 points YOY
- Feeling connected to their peers: -10 points YOY
- Feeling like they can be their authentic self: -8 points YOY
- Employees:
- Feeling like they belong: -14 points YOY
- Feeling connected to their peers: -17 points YOY
- Feeling like they can be their authentic self: -9 points YOY
- Mental Health and Toxicity:
- CEOs:
- Experiencing a mental health issue: +24 points YOY
- Perceiving company culture as toxic: +10 points YOY
- Employees:
- Experiencing a mental health issue: +4 points YOY
- Perceiving company culture as toxic: +4 points YOY
Demographic Insights:
-
Ethnicity:
- Black and Hispanic/Latino employees: Most likely to feel DEIB initiatives contribute to a greater sense of belonging, connectedness, and authenticity.
- Age:
- Gen X and Boomers: Least likely to feel like they belong.
- Gen Z and Millennials: Highest in belonging but also highest in mental health issues and workplace toxicity.
-
Disabilities and LGBTQ+:
- Respondents with physical and cognitive disabilities and those identifying as LGBTQ+ are more likely to feel connected to their peers.
Industry Insights:
-
Government Sector:
- Least likely to feel like they can be their authentic self (43%).
- Least likely to feel they belong (39%).
- Least likely to feel connected to their peers (41%).
- Least likely to feel connected to their leaders (29%).
-
Financial Services:
- Highest in feeling connected to their leaders (76%).
Conclusion:
The disconnect between awareness of DEIB initiatives and actual workplace experiences highlights the need for more strategic and effective DEIB programs. Leaders must focus on fostering a genuine sense of belonging and connectedness to improve overall mental health and reduce workplace toxicity.
