Since the 1980s, companies have increasingly adopted diversity policies to improve the representation of women and racial minorities in the workplace. Today over 95% of companies with at least 1,000 employees have instituted programs to increase diversity and inclusion within their ranks.
Who Supports Diversity Policies? It Depends on the Policy
A survey of 1,862 workers breaks down attitudes by race and gender.
October 04, 2019
Summary.
Diversity programs are more effective when workers support them. Despite this, we know remarkably little about how people feel about them, and even less about why they feel the way they do. Researchers analyzed data from a from a survey of 1,862 randomly selected Latinx, black, and white people working for wages/salary in the U.S. to learn more. They found that policies aiming to increase the representation of women received more support than those geared towards racial minorities — but only among whites, and not black or Latinx workers. They also found that people are more likely to support workplace policies when they are framed as a means to address discrimination.
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New!
HBR Learning
Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Course
Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
How to build a better, more just workplace.