In the ever-evolving landscape of human resources, organizations are increasingly recognizing the pivotal role that diversity and inclusion survey tools play in fostering innovation, productivity, and overall organizational success. To truly create an inclusive workplace, it is crucial to understand the experiences and perspectives of all employees.
The automation of diversity and inclusion survey tools presents a unique opportunity for HR departments to uncover valuable insights, identify areas of improvement, and foster a stronger culture of inclusivity. By leveraging the power of technology, organizations can go beyond surface-level diversity metrics and delve into the nuanced experiences and needs of their diverse workforce.
What are Automated Diversity and Inclusion Survey Tools
An automated diversity and inclusion survey streamlines the process of data collection, analysis, and reporting, allowing HR departments to scale their efforts and reach a broader range of employees in a shorter amount of time. Using fully customizable templates, the real power of automation lies in its ability to process large amounts of data quickly and efficiently. Advanced analytics tools can extract meaningful insights from survey responses while identifying patterns, trends and areas of concern. Furthermore, automation allows for more frequent and timely survey administration, capturing real-time feedback and enabling organizations to respond swiftly to emerging issues.
By automating the diversity and inclusion survey process, HR departments free up valuable time and resources, enabling them to focus on developing targeted strategies and interventions to address any disparities or challenges identified. Regular surveys, supported by automation, create a feedback loop that promotes continuous improvement, enabling organizations to monitor the impact of their diversity and inclusion efforts and refine their strategies accordingly.
Benefits for Workplace Inclusive Practices
Although the words diversity, inclusion and belonging are often used interchangeably, they each have distinct meanings. However, each is a piece of a whole, and must coexist and work in tandem to truly be effective.
For example, diversity refers to the characteristics that make people unique. Having a diverse team doesn’t automatically lead to better business outcomes without additional support, i.e. making people feel welcome. Diversity can, and often does exist without the act of inclusion. On the other hand, belonging refers to a sense of acceptance, and is a result of the level of inclusion an individual feels.
When all three concepts are embraced in the workplace, people thrive. It creates an environment where all individuals can feel accepted and valued. As a result, companies that create a culture of diversity and inclusion report lower turnover and higher productivity. Not only does a diverse and inclusive environment lead to more innovation, engagement, and revenue, it can also help recruit new talent. More than 3 in 4 of both employees and job seekers say that a diverse workforce is an important factor when evaluating companies and job offers.
How to Design and Administer Automated DEI Employee Surveys
In order for all employees to feel a sense of belonging, they need to feel heard, supported, and respected. They must also be given equal opportunities to participate and contribute. Make no mistake; this often involves reshaping strategy plans as well as leadership and tone at the top.
For starters, look inward. Seek to understand why and how diversity is important to leadership and your broader team. Focus on key areas such as the extent to which employees feel valued and respected, their sense of belonging and fairness and the openness to ideas and opinions from leadership and peers. Then, utilize automation to reach out frequently, creating a continuous feedback loop and valuable data history.
As Britt Griffin, VP of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) at Infrastructure & Energy Alternatives, explains, DEIB is a journey that takes time—years of continuous effort to engrain it into the organization. You simply can’t expect to grow diversity 50% in one year, a point that is very important to make clear to leadership from the start.
Analyzing Survey Data for Insights and Actionable Steps
The true value of a diversity and inclusion survey tool lies in the data analysis, unveiling critical insights and actionable steps for fostering a more inclusive workplace. Advanced analytics techniques can help examining correlations, patterns, and trends within the data. Sentiment analysis can provide a deeper understanding of employee experiences by analyzing open-ended responses or sentiment scores to gauge the emotional and qualitative aspects of employee feedback.
Finally, segmenting the data based on demographic factors—such as age, gender, race, and job level—can identify disparities, experiences, and perspectives unique to various groups. Not only do these data insights shed light on the specific challenges faced by different communities within the workforce, but they also inform strategic action.
The ultimate goal of analyzing survey data is to translate insights into actionable steps. Once trends and patterns have been identified, HR departments can develop targeted strategies and interventions to address disparities or challenges. This could involve implementing training programs, revising policies and procedures, or creating employee resource groups to support underrepresented communities. The key is to develop evidence-based initiatives that are tailored to the unique needs of the workforce, ensuring maximum impact and engagement.
The biggest myth about DEIB, says Griffin, is that it has no impact on the bottom line. “That’s just not true. Don’t take it from me, research it … The data will tell you that organizations that are more diverse are oftentimes and are more profitable. In addition to that, organizations that are more diverse are more innovative. Companies that are more innovative are more profitable. Companies that have diversity within their organization have higher engagement and higher retention.”
How People Element has Helped Organizations Harness Automation in DEI Surveys
While big data and analytics are buzz words for many organizations, there is often a key piece missing that can make or break this workforce intelligence strategy: the data has to be actionable. Embracing automation in diversity and inclusion surveys not only enhances the efficiency of data collection and analysis but also allows for more targeted and evidence-based interventions that drive meaningful change.
As HR leaders, there is an opportunity to leverage automation as a catalyst for cultivating inclusive practices. The reward? A diverse and engaged workforce. Our Employee Listening experts are here for you, and if you are ready to discuss your listening strategy and tools, request a quick call with us, here.
