Importance of Encouraging Diversity Practices, Equity, and Inclusion in Bangladeshi Workplaces

Abstract

Background: Diversity, equity, and inclusion in the work place relates to the measures done to establish awareness and modify mindsets, behaviors, and practices to create and sustain a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment. Objective: To identify the importance of encouraging diversity, equity and inclusion processes to achieve them. Methodology: The study executed both quantitative and qualitative approach (mixed method). Data collected from both primary and secondary sources. Primary quantitative data collected by structured survey questionnaire and qualitative data collected from unstructured open-ended questionnaire. Secondary data collected from published books, journal articles and different websites. The study was carried out on Private Limited Companies from Dhaka City. The HR managers of 210 specifically chosen companies were given survey questionnaires, and a total of 200 completed surveys were returned. Results: Among the 200 respondents highest (60%) were from 40-44 years old followed by (40%) were from 45 to 49 years old and highest (80%) were male and (20%) were female. most of the respondents strongly agreed that encouraging diversity, fairness and inclusion processes developing corporate culture (60%), providing equal employment opportunity (54%) , advance employee morale and productivity (52%), allowing organization to move emerging markets (49%) and Focusing on success and maintaining a competitive environment (40%).(88%) respondents pointed out about gender followed by religion (85%) and age (82%). (18%) respondents said about race whereas only (3%) respondents mentioned about color. It is clear that gender, age and religion are the most important dimensions of diversity as mentioned by most of the respondents, color is not important at all. According to respondents exchange of ideas (28%), Assessment of training (45%), Feedback/Suggestion system (60%), One to one interview (55%), Focus group (30%), Customers opinion (58%), Employee opinion (65%), Cultural Audit (30%). Association between diversity, equity and inclusion with cultural values, job satisfaction, motivation and high productivity and organizational growth are significantly associated with each other p<.05.

Conclusion: Encouraging Diversity Practices, Equity, and Inclusion in is very important for cultural values, job satisfaction, motivation and high productivity and organizational growth Bangladeshi Workplaces.

Keywords: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Work place

DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/14-21-04

Publication date: November 30^th 2022