Fostering an inclusive workplace culture is a top priority for companies everywhere. It’s also a goal that is never truly complete; to commit to inclusion is to continuously do the work, checking in and making the necessary adjustments along the way. It can be challenging, but it is always worthwhile. Here’s a shoutout to ten companies taking steps to build and maintain an inclusive culture.
1. Mailchimp
Over the past several years, Mailchimp has nearly doubled in size. With this growth came the need to scale its DEI strategy in order to promote a truly inclusive culture. The team has focused largely on transparency, sharing representation data across the company and encouraging employees to hold leadership accountable. In addition to continuing to hire more candidates from underrepresented groups, Mailchimp has invested in learning (and doing) what it takes to ensure these employees feel a sense of inclusion and belonging. The company has also partnered with Inclusivv to bring structured conversations to its workforce, holding space for all voices to be heard.
2. IDEO
A global nonprofit with a refreshing willingness to learn, IDEO operates with the mission “to design a more just and inclusive world.” In their everyday work, the team at IDEO works to improve lives and strengthen communities through design. Beyond this, they are constantly tracking their own progress and looking for ways to improve. With studios in San Francisco, New York City, and Nairobi, Kenya, IDEO’s commitment to cultural consciousness is a reminder to us all to prioritize the voices and lived experiences of the communities we aim to serve.
3. Classpass
After the events of June 2020, the team at Classpass realized that it needed to take its DEI initiatives several steps further. A fitness and wellness company, Classpass has since looked to bring about change in that industry: spotlighting and investing in Black-owned lifestyle businesses, and partnering with Black-owned studios to activate and empower underserved communities. The company’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) arm has also reinvigorated employee resource groups, established an employee-led council to track progress, and instated a learning and development program to promote inclusive behaviors. Classpass is a company leaning into the challenge of true accountability, which is key to building an inclusive culture.
4. Qualtrics
Qualtrics views DEI as a “cornerstone of company culture.” They take an unrelenting stance on issues related to inclusion, and utilize their own technology to address conscious and unconscious bias internally. With quarterly engagement pulses that track DEI initiatives and measure inclusion and belonging, Qualtrics holds itself accountable in fostering an inclusive workplace culture. Though many companies look to Qualtrics to help them establish DEI initiatives, the team at Qualtrics holds itself to an ever higher standard and remains committed to identifying and addressing any blind spots it may have.
5. WarnerMedia
WarnerMedia views diversity, equity and inclusion as both “moral and business imperatives.” In an industry plagued by a lack of diversity, WarnerMedia is working to ensure greater inclusion of underrepresented groups: women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, and more. This commitment has manifested in their Production Diversity Policy, which aims to offer opportunities for people from these groups from the early stages of production. The Policy also promotes accountability, as WarnerMedia reports annually on their diversity and inclusion efforts.
6. Cox Communications
Cox Communications’ Diversity and Inclusion initiatives have four key pillars: people, communities, customers and suppliers. Cox works first to ensure that its 20,000 employees are engaged, seen and heard through diversity councils, resource groups, and opinion surveys that hold leaders accountable. The company is also committed to social responsibility, uplifting youth and promoting environmental sustainability in the communities it serves. Furthermore, Cox understands that its supplier base must reflect the needs of its customer base, and actively works to promote diversity and inclusion on both fronts.
7. Hilton
The Hilton brand is known for being an industry leader in hospitality, but it is also a trailblazer in the DEI sector. Hilton employs individuals from every walk of life and, since 2010, has taken steps to ensure that these individuals feel a sense of belonging. Defining inclusion as “the act of leveraging differences to foster innovation by creating a culture where we are all seen, heard, valued and respected,” Hilton operates with an executive inclusion council and tracks progress through a quarterly diversity dashboard. The company also puts its money where its mouth is, offering best-in-class parental leave policies and investing in team member resource groups.
8. Rocket Software
The team at Rocket Software understands that inclusion is a journey, and fostering an inclusive culture requires consistent work and commitment. An internal working group called RIDE (Rocket Inclusion, Diversity and Equity) works to recognize and promote all forms of diversity and fairness, partnering with external organizations to engage employees in educational programs that further embed DEI into Rocket’s core values. Rocket Software holds itself accountable through the Rocket Diversity Index, measuring diversity across the organization.
9. Navy Federal Credit Union
In 2020, Navy Federal Credit Union made a commitment to its employees and members to formally prioritize respect and equality for all. This meant deliberate action in promoting diversity and inclusion, and it started with tough conversations that called Navy Federal to look within. Out of these discussions came partnerships with community organizations and direct connections with historically Black colleges and universities to champion greater access to opportunities for minorities. Internally, Navy Federal has instituted focused dialogue and surveys to capture the experiences of its employees. The organization’s commitment to learning and growth keeps it moving forward towards a more inclusive culture.
10. Warby Parker
At the core of Warby Parker’s inclusion strategy is listening to diverse perspectives, then putting action behind words. The company constantly works to foster an environment where employees feel empowered to bring their whole selves to work, and to talk openly about their unique experiences. What they have found is that “inclusion in one area leads to innovation in others,” as building a sense of belonging among employees ultimately helps them better understand and serve their customers. Warby Parker understands and harnesses the power of conversation to create real and lasting change, and that’s something we at Inclusivv can get behind.
Building an inclusive workplace is not only good for business, it’s the right thing to do. There are many ways to promote inclusivity, but the common denominator is being open to learning, leaning wholeheartedly into potentially challenging conversations and holding space for every voice.
Interested in learning how Inclusivv can help you foster a more inclusive workplace? Talk to a member of our sales team today!