Although decades of advocacy and diversity training have had an impact, the results have been mixed. The upside: Deloitte’s research into the current state of inclusion found that 86% of respondents felt they could be themselves most or all of the time at work.^[1] That statistic represents a significant improvement over a relatively short period of time. A survey conducted six years prior found that 61% of “respondents felt they had to hide at least one aspect of who they are.”^[2] At that time, the conclusion was that “most inclusion programs require people to assimilate into the overall corporate culture” and that this need to “cover” directly impacts not only an individual’s sense of self but their commitment to the organization.^[3]

On the downside, bias remains a constant, with over 60% of respondents reporting bias in their workplace.^[4] Deloitte reports that 64% of employees surveyed “felt they had experienced bias in their workplace during the last year.”^[5] Even more disturbing, 61% of those respondents “felt they experienced bias in the workplace at least once a month.” The percentages of respondents who indicated that they have observed bias in their workplaces during the last year and observe it on a monthly basis are are roughly the same at 64% and 63%, respectively.

Research suggests that bias is now more subtle—for example, an act of “microaggression” rather than overt discrimination. It is, however, no less harmful. Deloitte’s 2019 research found that bias impacts not only those who are directly affected, but also those who observe the behavior. Specifically, of those who reported experiencing or observing bias: 86% reported a negative impact on happiness, confidence, and well-being; 70% reported a negative impact on engagement and 68% reported a negative impact on productivity.^[6] Executive coach Laura Gates observes that the price of not addressing corrosive interpersonal behavior is too high. She notes that “if people don’t feel safe, they can’t be creative. If they aren’t creative, they can’t innovate. If they don’t innovate, the business eventually becomes obsolete.”^[7]

Given the slow pace of progress on D&I , it may be worth looking at the situation as Melinda Briana Epler proposes in one of her ally recommendations. Specifically, if it’s not working, it may be you. Although we are generally aware that our perceptions are subjective, we are largely unaware that there can be a disconnect between our conscious thoughts and our unconscious beliefs or biases, primarily a product of socio-cultural conditioning. To see how this might play out, watch Yassmin Abdel-Magied’s “What does my headscarf mean to you?” TED Talk.

You can view the transcript for “What does my headscarf mean to you?” here (opens in new window).