People from an array of backgrounds and experiences work together today. A company’s DEI statement is far more than an empty message—it’s an important statement of how much the company values each person’s unique point of view. A meaningful DEI statement embodies the fundamental principles of creating a culture in which everyone can belong, contribute, and flourish.
Today, having different ideas is good for growth and success, and a strong statement makes sure that what the company does is in line with that. A good DEI statement shows that a company cares about being fair and is always trying to get better. For better quality, it’s good for business activities, rules, and ways of thought to take into account the many differences.
A Pew Research Center survey found that 56% of workers view DEI initiatives positively, underscoring their importance in the workplace. This data shows how important is having a true DEI statement as it establishes guidelines and nurtures relationships with various employees. This remark proves important because it establishes a connection between values and work habits.
Important parts of a DEI statement (with examples):
A good DEI statement combines different components to fully communicate a company’s diversity, fairness, and inclusion promise. Every part makes the statement connect more with each other.
Here is a breakdown of these essential components:
- Commitment to diversity: This part of the statement should highlight the organization’s dedication to embracing diversity in all forms – which includes race, gender, age, sexual orientation, & cultural backgrounds. It’s about recognizing the strength that comes from having a unique & diverse workforce. For example, phrases like “We are committed to fostering a diverse environment where every voice is heard & valued,” effectively communicate this commitment.
- Statement of inclusion: The aim here should be to help everyone fully participate by creating a fair & pleasant environment. The objective should be to encourage situations where everyone gets respect, honor, worth, & power. This part should also talk about ensuring everyday activities & talks are inclusive. Phrases such as “Our workplace is an inclusive space where individuals from all backgrounds can thrive,” can be powerful.
- Equity objectives & initiative: This part shows unique aims & efforts to improve fairness, chance, & rights at both personal & wide-scale levels. It includes steps such as fair ways of hiring, access to career growth, routes to leadership, & transparent information about pay & progress. Statements like “We actively pursue equity by ensuring fair & unbiased hiring & promotion practices,” are strongly suggested.
- Commitment to continual learning & improvement: This aspect reflects that crafting an equitable culture is a dynamic journey needing ongoing humility, reflection, & re-calibration of strategies. The focus should be on pursuing substantial change through the perspectives of multiple stakeholders. Saying, “We continually evolve our approaches toward equitable impact through community dialogue,” encapsulates this mindset.
- Accountability & transparency: Here, the focus lies on providing transparent systems to track progress & lapses on the path toward equitable impact. Regular reporting will provide insights on achievements & areas needing correction across initiatives. Saying, “We hold ourselves accountable by measuring our choices against our aspirations,” speaks to this ethic.
Incorporating these elements into a DEI statement conveys a multidimensional pledge to enable every person to belong, contribute, and grow as their authentic self. It shows the organization’s dedication to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace.
Tailoring your DEI statement to reflect your organization
Customizing your DEI statement to reflect your organization’s unique culture and values effectively is not just essential but a must. Because of this, using a one-size-fits-all approach won’t work here. Avoid a generic, templated statement by rooting it in your organization’s unique mission, vision, values, structure, and population. Your DEI statement should genuinely reflect who you are as an organization, resonating authentically with the people who make up your workplace.
- Reflect on your unique organizational culture: Every organization has its unique blend of values, traditions, & practices. Your DEI statement should match these by showing how diversity, fairness, & openness connect to the bigger idea of your organization’s identity. For example, if coming up with new ideas is very important, you should say how different points of view make it easier to find solutions.
- Involve diverse stakeholder groups: Getting opinions from many in your organization ensures that diversity, equity, & inclusion statements work for everyone at different levels. This can be done using polls, group discussions, or one-on-one interviews. Involving people from various departments, backgrounds, & levels of seniority can give a full look at the organization’s goals for being fair & diverse.
- Reflect on real experiences & aspirations: Use examples from your company & its goals to make the statement more personal. This could be about how having different people in your organization made it successful or how fairness steps helped to make a real change.
- Be honest & aspirational: Even though it’s important to celebrate where your organization currently excels in DEI, it is equally necessary to be honest about areas that need improvement. Ensure your statement genuinely reflects DEI’s current state & aspirational goals for the organization.
- Update regularly: As your company grows, so should its DEI statement. Checking & updating the statement often ensures it stays relevant & aligned with your organization’s culture or values that change over time.
Remember, a DEI statement is more than words on a page. It steers habits, affects rules, and shapes the future of any organization. Make it as dynamic and multifaceted as the people it stands for.
Free DEI statement template
Crafting a diversity, equity, and inclusion statement can feel overwhelming, especially when starting from scratch. So here’s a basic DEI statement sample to kickstart your process and make it seamless. However, you should remember that this is just a guide; customize it with your organization’s culture, values, and DEI goals.
[Your Organization’s Name]: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Statement
At [Your Organization’s Name], we believe in the power of diversity to continuously drive innovation, foster creativity, and enhance decision-making. We are actively committed to building and nurturing a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace where all our employees feel valued, respected, heard and empowered to bring their best selves to work.
Our Commitment to Diversity:
- We embrace and celebrate diverse backgrounds, identities and abilities that make our workforce strong in its variety, recognizing that our strength lies in our diversity.
- We are dedicated to creating and maintaining an environment where everyone, regardless of their race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status, feels included and empowered to contribute their best work.
Our Pledge to Equity:
- We strive to provide equitable opportunities for all employees by ensuring fair treatment, access to justice, opportunity, and advancement.
- We commit to identifying and uprooting factors, practices, and mindsets within our organization that consciously or unconsciously obstruct equity.
Inclusion in Action:
- We nurture a culture where open dialogue, mutual understanding, and the exchange of ideas receive active support.
- We focus on continuously educating ourselves to turn our inclusion aspirations into evolving reality through ever more thoughtful words, policies, and collective actions.
Accountability and Continuous Improvement:
- We hold ourselves accountable by regularly assessing and transparently reporting our challenges, gaps, achievements, and opportunities to build equitable access and belonging.
- We understand that crafting equitable culture requires humility, vigilance, and continually pushing the boundaries of our imagination. We commit to meeting the needs of both our organization and the societal landscape.
This statement symbolizes our organization’s holistic pledge to embed diversity, equity and inclusion into our fabric. It steers our policies, practices and decision-making today and into the future.
Feel free to add, modify, or rephrase parts of this template to showcase your organization’s unique DEI journey effectively. Remember, it’s about capturing what DEI means to you and how you envision it unfolding in your workspace. A DEI statement is not just words; it’s a promise and action plan that must be carried out.
Next steps?
In conclusion, an effective and authentic DEI statement speaks to your organization’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. It goes beyond just creating a statement to keep up with relevant trends, it’s about creating a document that resonates with your unique corporate culture, reflects your values, and speaks to your aspirations in the DEI space.
The key takeaways? Ensure your DEI statement is inclusive, reflects a true and dedicated commitment, and is tailored to represent your organization’s unique context.
But remember, a DEI statement is just the beginning. It’s a promise, a roadmap for what comes next. The real impact lies in the actions you take and the continuous efforts you put towards creating a more inclusive and equitable workplace. It’s about being true to your words and sticking by them.
Thankfully, tools and expertise like those offered by Diversio can be invaluable for organizations that are looking to start this journey. We can provide the insights, guidance, and support needed to draft a DEI statement and live it, breathe it, and see it flourish into a thriving, inclusive workplace culture where everyone’s voice is heard, respected, and recognized.
