The Growing Importance of Diversity in the Workplace Amidst the DEI Shift
With Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) being removed from government initiatives in recent years, understanding how to foster and create a diverse workplace is now more important than ever, as the public eye is focused on how businesses and organizations respond to this shift. While DEI programs may no longer be a government priority, the responsibility falls on the private organizations, communities, and individuals to continue advocating for diverse and inclusive environments.
Image- Unsplash: Group of people sitting beside rectangular wooden table with laptops photo – Free Office Image on Unsplash
Diversity used in workplaces,specifically in communications and PR sectors, can be defined as “concepts and practices that explore how the profession can employ “differences” for work that is effective and collaborative” (Hasherj, n.d., p. 77). The importance of creating a diverse workplace goes beyond societal pressure, it’s about creating an environment and workplace culture where everyone feels valued, heard, and able to contribute their unique perspectives.
The Importance of Experiential Diversity in the Workplace
In the podcast “Courageous Conversations About Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” with Tru Pettigrew, three primary types of diversity are discussed:
- identity diversity, which relates to the physical characteristics individuals are born with, such as race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and disability status
- experiential diversity, which is the unique experiences and perspectives individuals gain through their life journeys, including cultural background, education, and personal challenges
- neurodiversity, which shows the variety of differences among individuals mental thought processes, acknowledging the way people think and problem solve (Mudd, 2021).
The concept of experiential diversity, which emphasizes the value of diverse lived experiences, holds a special importance in the workplace. This type of diversity goes beyond surface-level traits like race, gender, or ethnicity. Experiential diversity focuses on the different ways people perceive and interact with the world based on their personal experiences, such as socioeconomic status, cultural upbringing, education, and even individual challenges.
Experiential diversity is critical because it creates opportunities for organizations to truly understand the unique perspectives their employees and customers bring to the table. It encourages empathy, builds trust, and fosters a more inclusive culture. When organizations embrace experiential diversity, they not only create a space for individuals to share their personal stories but also impact their workplaces’ decision-making processes and problem-solving abilities. The ability to understand and value the experiences of others leads to better communication, stronger teamwork, and more effective solutions.
Uber’s Failure to Embrace Experiential Diversity and Its Impact
An example of an organization who failed to acknowledge the experimental diversity aspect of the workplace is Uber. Uber’s failure to incorporate experiential diversity is shown in its history of workplace discrimination. A 2018 BBC News article highlights how Uber’s workplace culture excluded marginalized employees, particularly women and people of color. Despite efforts to diversify, the company struggled to address the deeper issues of bias and exclusion (BBC News, 2018).
Image- Unsplash: White mercedes benz c class on street during daytime photo – Free Car Image on Unsplash
This lack of attention to the unique lived experiences of employees led to a toxic work environment, with harassment and discrimination lawsuits, which remained unresolved until leadership changes in 2017. Uber’s inability to embrace experiential diversity limited its growth and harmed its overall reputation.
The Role of Diversity in Shaping My Future in Public Relations
As I look toward my future in public relations, diversity will be a key focus. The PRSA’s DEI Committee, which collaborates with the PRSA Foundation to fund research initiatives for underserved populations and PR firms, shows how essential diversity is in our field (Public Relations Society of America [PRSA], n.d.).
By supporting these efforts in my future workplaces, I can contribute to fostering a more inclusive environment within PR, ensuring that diverse voices are represented and that PR strategies reflect the varied experiences of all audiences. This commitment to diversity will help shape my approach to building meaningful, impactful campaigns and relationships in my career.
References:
BBC News. (2018, July 16). Uber investigated over gender discrimination. BBC. https://www.bbc.com/news/business-44852852
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. (n.d.). PRSA. Retrieved March 11, 2025, from https://www.prsa.org/about/diversity-inclusion
Hasherj, D. (n.d.). Public relations, principles, origins, and practices (VBID: 844161A). Cognella Custom TB. Retrieved from https://macmillan.vitalsource.com/reader/books/844161A
On Top of PR with Jason Mudd [@OnTopOfPR]. (2021, June 14). Courageous conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion with Tru Pettigrew. Retrieved March 11, 2025, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwJoPRrfSJE
Unsplash. (n.d.). Photo by Viktor Avdeev on Unsplash. Unsplash.com. Retrieved March 11, 2025, from https://unsplash.com/photos/white-mercedes-benz-c-class-on-street-during-daytime-Gk3apXDUZiI
Unsplash. (n.d.). Photo by Viktor Avdeev on Unsplash. Unsplash.com. Retrieved March 11, 2025, from https://unsplash.com/photos/white-mercedes-benz-c-class-on-street-during-daytime-Gk3apXDUZiI
