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Diversity is not just about being fairer and more inclusive at work; it's about setting the bar higher for everyone. In this article, we'll dive into the different types of diversity you could (and should) find in your workplace and highlighting the many ways diversity can be impactful.

What does a diverse workforce look like?

You've likely heard of terms like diversity, equity, and inclusion. They're really important in our goal to make workplaces fair for everyone. But sometimes, it's tricky to know exactly what a diverse workplace looks like or how to make it happen at your company.

If you are not sure yourself - don’t worry! We understand it can be confusing.

At Fertifa, we consider a diverse workplace to be one with an inclusive environment and a workforce that is representative of the wider world we live in. That doesn’t mean having exactly equal representation of people from every socioeconomic or cultural background – we know that’s just not realistic. To us, diversity in the workplace is about the acceptance, inclusion, and the unbiased treatment of everyone you're working with or considering employing. If your company can establish a working culture with this principle at heart, you'll find yourselves with employees who feel valued, seen, understood, and genuinely happy in their roles.

Before we start exploring the benefits of diversity in the workplace, we’ve put together this list of characteristics and different types of diversity to consider for anyone looking for some clarity around the term. Hopefully, you find it helpful.

Remember, every single person is individual and unique and therefore brings diversity to a workplace in their own way. In this sense, there are countless different forms of diversity.

What are some of the different types of diversity?

1. Gender diversity – Firstly, it’s important to distinguish gender from sex at birth. Whereas a person’s sex describes the biological attributes they were born with, gender is a social construct designed to characterise people based on their social, psychological, and behavioural aspects. In a genuinely gender-diverse workplace, individuals will be treated fairly with equal access to opportunity regardless of their gender identity.
2. Sexual orientation – An employee’s sexual orientation can be as private or public as they'd like - it’s always their prerogative to share information about themselves. Either way, it’s essential someone’s sexuality does not influence the way they are treated at work.
3. Age diversity – Your company could have a slightly older or younger-than-average workforce. That’s totally fine. An age-diverse workplace simply respects differences and treats employees equally no matter how “experienced” they might be.
4. Disability – Disabilities come in many different forms. Some are visible, others are not. Disability inclusion recognises this and creates a working environment in which those with disabilities feel seen, valued, and most importantly, it makes sure that they are not put at a disadvantage.
5. Parental status – Do employees have children, grandchildren, or stepchildren? If so, it's important their needs and family obligations are being accommodated at work. 

Cultural diversity

The representation of different cultural, racial, and religious groups is just as important in the workplace as it is in wider society. We encourage employers (if they don’t do so already) to see cultural and ethnic diversity in the workplace as a celebration of difference in our society, and to also note the business advantages:

1. Religious diversity – People affiliated with a wide range of religions and belief systems. A religiously diverse workplace will recognise and respect religious differences and treat all individuals equally.

• Only 25% of workers agree that their organisations promote an understanding of religious beliefs and diversity.

2. Racial diversity – Throughout someone's time at a company, from the moment they apply and throughout their employment, it’s crucial that their race or ethnicity has no bearing on how they are treated or the opportunities they are given. A racially diverse company is inclusive and accepting of all racial groups and identities.

• Racially and ethnically diverse companies are 35% more likely to outperform their respective national industry medians’ financial returns.

There are so many different types of diversity (and we're only scratching the surface with those listed above!).

The benefits of diversity in the workplace

Diversity in the workplace is beneficial for many different reasons – far too many for us to summarise in one article! Not only does diversity celebrate difference and equality, but it enhances the experience of those who work at or interact with your company. Here, we’ve listed just some of the positive impacts a diverse workforce can have:

Enhance employee wellbeing

The wellbeing of employees should be a priority at every company. When employees can see that their wellbeing is being prioritised, they are likely to feel valued, supported, and genuinely content in their roles. Here's how championing diversity can enhance employee wellbeing at your company:

• Employees are likely to have an increased sense of belonging, acceptance, and being understood.
• They will see equal opportunity being afforded for personal and professional growth across the board. This will show employees that they can reach their goals, advance their careers, and improve the happiness they feel in their roles regardless of their background.
• A diverse company will help remove fear of discrimination, marginalisation, or unequal treatment from its workforce. This can help employees feel comfortable being themselves and like they don’t have to conform to cultural or social “norms”.

81% of employees who believe they work in an inclusive company culture are also happy in their jobs. This is three times more than those who do not feel included.

Broaden your talent pool during the hiring process

A diverse and inclusive company tends to be a more attractive prospect for job seekers considering their next move. Diversity at a company can demonstrate fairness and acceptance, and give potential employees a positive impression of a workplace’s culture. This is likely to encourage more people to apply for positions, providing you with a wider talent pool of candidates with a broader range of skills.

Retain your employees

For the same reasons, employee turnover is typically much lower in workplaces with positive and supportive cultures. Companies that promote and value diversity are far more likely to maintain a happy workforce that feels valued and therefore more inclined to stay and grow there.

• Deloitte research reveals that 69% of Millennials and Gen Z workers are more likely to stay five or more years with a company that has a diverse workforce.
• ‍32% of Millenial/Gen Z employees believe businesses have a responsibility to help reduce inequality in society through actions like diversity initiatives.

Better understand your clients and customers

A diverse workforce will have a wider range of backgrounds, experiences, insights and outlooks. When working together, they can use this difference and variety to their advantage.

When you think about it, no matter what service your company provides, the customers and potential clients you’re trying to attract will to some degree make up a diverse mix of people. If your workforce can reflect that diversity, you’ll be able to better understand the diverse needs, references, and expectations they’re likely to have.

Boost your company's performance

It’s no secret that having a diverse workforce typically benefits a company’s financial performance. Time and time again, studies, research projects and surveys have shown a direct correlation between companies with a diverse set of employees and those that are successful.

Teams with diverse backgrounds and life experiences bring lots of fresh ideas to the table. They're like a recipe for creativity and innovation! Plus, when everyone feels valued and included, it boosts morale and makes work more fun. Win-win!

In case you need a reminder, here are some statistics that we think really highlight the value of diversity to your business:

• McKinsey's "Delivering Through Diversity" report revealed that companies in the top 25% for ethnic/cultural cognitive diversity on executive teams were 36% more likely to have above-average profitability than those in the bottom 25%.
• Companies with more diverse leadership teams are reported to generate up to 19% higher revenue due to innovation.
• A study by the Peterson Institute for International Economics found that companies with at least 30% female executives could add up to 6 percentage points to their net profit margins.
• The Harvard Business Review has also reported that companies with more diversity in management generate up to 19% higher revenue due to innovation.

At Fertifa, we strongly believe that the implementation and promotion of diversity should be done for the right reasons. Yes, it has shown to be beneficial to business, but it’s important to remember that diversity in the workplace should first and foremost be about establishing acceptance, inclusion, and equal opportunities for all employees.

Improve personal development and cultural awareness across your workforce

Having a diverse and inclusive workforce is a celebration of difference. By interacting and learning from those from a different cultural, ethnic, religious or educational background, your employees will be able to gain deeper insights and understanding of the society they live in (and maybe even themselves!)

Your company can become the change it wants to see in society

The standards your company holds itself to, the business decisions it makes, and the acceptance and inclusion of others it shows, can become an example for wider society that you can be proud of.

As mentioned earlier, there are countless benefits to workplace diversity beyond those mentioned here. If you want to discover more about diversity in the workplace or find out how Fertifa can help create inclusive teams at your company, please don't hesitate to get in touch via the button below.