However, as Marcus Stewart, Bentley’s assistant dean of diversity, equity and inclusion and an associate professor of Management, notes, recruiting a diverse workforce is one thing; retaining those employees is another.
“Often, companies hire for diversity but then have a culture that rewards and promotes conformity,” he explains. He says it’s incumbent on businesses to cultivate an inclusive workplace where employees feel respected, valued and connected. Otherwise, he cautions, “If your company doesn’t deliver on its DEI promises, your employees are going to be less productive or leave.”
So what can companies do to ensure the success of their DEI efforts? Here, Donna Maria Blancero, professor of Management and former provost, and Yaro Fong-Olivares, executive director of Bentley’s Gloria Cordes Larson Center for Women and Business (CWB), join Stewart in sharing effective strategies for creating — and sustaining — a more inclusive company culture:
