Breaking Down DEI: Successful Implementation

Now that you know what DEI is, it’s time to implement it in your workplace. Beginning or improving DEI strategies in your workplace can seem like a daunting and complicated task, especially if you don’t have any programs in place to begin with.  

Kokomo24/7® understands this challenge and our robust, yet easy to use health, safety, and wellness software can help your workplace navigate its unique set of needs on the road to implementing successful DEI strategies.  

DEI is not only the right thing to do; it's also good for business. A diverse workforce fosters creativity and innovation, and an inclusive workplace culture ensures that everyone feels valued and respected. These things lead to more revenue and happier employees.  

The most common way most workplaces kickstart DEI programs is in four phases: data gathering and analytics, creating policy based off those results, acting on those policies and then measuring and improving those policies.  

Step 1: Gather Data 

The first step to kickstarting DEI strategies in your workplace is making sure that you have a solid understanding of how your employees feel. One of the most common and effective ways to do this is to have every employee take a survey which asks them various questions about their level of comfortability in the workplace as well as their experiences. Commonly, questions on these surveys are used to measure how diverse people feel the company is, how equitable and fair the executive team and its policies are, as well as how safe employees feel at work.  

Some of the data collected in these surveys could include information about employee gender identity, race, an employee’s opinions about a certain practice, or about discrimination the employee has felt in the workplace. Companies often perform audits as well as educational sessions with their employees which inform them about the DEI initiatives that are being brought to the workplace, as well as topics like bias, microaggressions and privilege.

Step 2: Create Policy That Makes Sense 

Based on the results of the data collected, the company should come up with standard DEI policies that not only fit the culture of the specific workplace, but also can be realistically accomplished. Common DEI strategies aim at fostering an environment of inclusion and diversity as well as addressing shortcomings in company policy and equity that were found through previous data collection.  

Companies must reexamine every aspect of their work through the eyes of DEI and recognize that successful implementation not only takes time and hard work, but an individualized approach. Many employers also put together Employee Resource Groups to help support colleagues and implement policies that make each employee feel heard.  

A DEI statement can also help your company highlight what it believes to be the most important facets of DEI and stay on track to reach its goals. DEI statements should be brief, specific and explain why you are committed to fostering a more diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace.  

Kokomo24/7®’s DEI Statement 

According to a study from Culture Amp, only 50 percent of companies with DEI policies report having a DEI statement, a necessary component that shows your company's values and goals. Kokomo24/7®’s DEI statement, for example, not only highlights our motivation behind working toward a healthier workplace, but also recognizes the various forms of diversity and the work that still needs to be done to achieve an authentically healthy workplace. You can read our statement below: 

Kokomo24/7® is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to bring their unique perspectives and experiences to the table. We recognize that diversity comes in many forms, including race, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, sexual identity, age, ability, religion, socio-economic status, and more. We also know there is more work to be done to create an authentically diverse and equitable workplace and are devoted to our ongoing learning efforts, growth and improvement in all areas of a healthy workplace.   

Step 3: Take Action

Most companies today claim that they support diversity, equity and inclusion, but, according to Harvard Business Review, only 60 percent actually have DEI policies in place.  

Consider holding employees accountable who are not cooperating with the DEI initiatives being brought to the workplace and have specific consequences for employees who violate the new codes of conduct. Follow-up surveys are often given to employees to measure progress as well as continued educational sessions that reinforce the importance of celebrating diversity. With that being said, there isn’t one correct way to implement DEI strategies in your workplace. Employee resource groups and other coaching sessions are also often used to assist in the participation and support of the policies.  

Step 4: Measure and Improve 

The success of your workplace’s DEI programs can be measured by the changes in racial statistics within the company and the positions those employees hold. Demographic data is a key measuring point in the success of DEI policies. Other data such as employee satisfaction, pay data and retention are also useful statistics that indicate the level of success of the policies. Of more than 1.1 million employees surveyed in the Culture Amp study, only 27 percent think their organization knows how to effectively measure DEI initiatives. According to a survey from DNV, in reality, only 20 percent of companies measure the impact of their policies. 

Employers commonly continue rounds of data collection at chosen intervals to measure the progress of the program as well as further improve policies based on employee feedback. The best DEI policies are always evolving with the current employee experience, making correct implementation all the more important. 

DEI Works 

DEI practices are only as strong as the quality of its implementation. According to a study done by Global Industry Analysts Inc., companies that successfully implemented DEI policies “earn 2.5 times higher cash flow per employee and are more productive by over 35 percent” compared to companies with no DEI strategy. 

A workplace with successful DEI strategies not only boasts more financial gains, but happier, more engaged employees. When implementing DEI practices, it’s important to reframe all company practices through the frame of diversity, equity and inclusion and make it part of your institution’s DNA. That’s where Kokomo24/7® comes in. 

The benefits of implementing DEI strategies in the workplace can’t be understated and are supported by statistics. The fact is, companies that go the extra mile to make sure their employees feel respected, have the tools they need to do their jobs, and celebrate diversity are outperforming their counterparts in just about every aspect from employee satisfaction to actual financial gains.

   According to a study done by Global Industry Analysts Inc., companies that successfully implemented DEI policies earn 2.5 times higher cash flow per employee and are more productive by over 35 percent compared to companies with no DEI strategy. 

Kokomo24/7® Can Help 

Kokomo24/7® understands that beginning DEI initiatives in the workplace can seem like a heavy lift, and with tools like our custom forms and surveys and incident management software, we can help streamline and simplify the complex and intimidating task of getting started.  Our custom forms tool allows you to simplify the complex and sensitive process of surveying employees to better understand their perspectives. Our incident management tool assists in tracking and solving issues that arise related to DEI policies, gathering necessary data which results in better solutions to your company’s problems.  

Get the health and safety platform that your company needs to navigate the complex and ever-changing circumstances surrounding implementing custom DEI strategies in your workplace.  

Ever since Kokomo24/7® was founded in 2018, we have been a leader in compliance and risk management solutions for all things health and safety. Kokomo proudly serves schools, communities, and workplaces. Our mission is to deliver highly effective, easy-to-use, and trusted compliance and risk management solutions that bridge the gap between public safety and technology.   

Whether you work for a small company, a fortune-500, or any institution in between, we want to hear from you. 

Get Help Implementing Your DEI Plan, Today!