Diversity, Equity & Inclusion – The Future is Now

We often hear discussions about the world’s ongoing transformation, and indeed, it is continually evolving. However, when it comes to DE&I, my perspective is that the change has already occurred. While there’s still much work to be done, the progress made is significant and undoubtedly here to stay.

To take it back to basics it would be wise of me to provide a brief definition of what DE&I is. McKinsey & Company state: “Diversity, equity, and inclusion are three closely linked values held by many organizations that are working to be supportive of different groups of individuals, including people of different races, ethnicities, religions, abilities, genders, and sexual orientations.”

So how do we differentiate between DE&I? A high-level way of thinking about it is as follows:

Diversity – this is about who is being represented and from what demographic. This would include gender, age, ethnicity, and neurodiversity.

Equity – this is about fair treatment to all. The consideration of each individual’s circumstances and how those circumstances fit into the wider network in an equitable way.

Inclusion – this is about how the workforce experiences the workplace and the degree to which organisations embrace all employees. Without inclusion, equity and diversity become buzz words rather than tangible impactful changes.

Now we need to consider how DE&I actually shows up in our workplaces: at our boardroom tables, during our weekly Teams calls, and crucially within our recruitment processes. It is essential that organizations attract and retain a diverse pool of talent, fostering a more innovative and dynamic workforce. Embracing DE&I principles helps to mitigate unconscious biases, create a fairer hiring process, and ensure equal opportunities for all candidates. This will not only enhance the organization’s reputation but also drives better decision-making, problem-solving, and performance by bringing varied perspectives and experiences to the table.

Ultimately, a commitment to DE&I in recruitment builds a more inclusive and equitable workplace, reflecting the diverse society in which we live and operate both specifically in Cayman, but also on a global stage.

At SteppingStones we have put a robust DE&I policy in place that forms the framework of our behaviors both internally within our own culture, and externally when considering the clients and candidates we are partnering with on a daily basis. We have been reviewing AI-generated technology to assist with anti-bias measures within job descriptions, adverts and CVs, and will continue to educate ourselves on evolving strategies for improvement in this space.

As human beings we want to live in a world that is fair and just; DE&I focus is allowing us to formalize that feeling, not commercialize it. It’s the common goal of working together to prioritize an equitable and sustainable future for all.