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CREATING ASAFE & INCLUSIVE WORKPLACE

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Programs & Resources

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)

Did you know that 40% of Americans belong to an ethnic minority group? Maintaining a safe, diverse, and inclusive workplace is necessary for a company's success and for its employees' well-being.

  • Diversity in the workplace is defined by the CDC as “the appreciation and respect for the differences and similarities between individuals.” These differences may include gender, race, ethnicity, age, culture, religion, and several other background differences.
  • Equity is defined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers as “fairness and justice for all and is distinguished from equality.” How are equality and equity different?
    • Equality means providing the same to all.
    • Equity means to recognize that individuals have different starting points and to provide adjustments to any imbalances.
    Learn more about equality vs equity by watching this video.
  • Inclusion is defined by the CDC as “a set of behaviors that encourages employees to feel valued for their unique qualities and experience a sense of belonging.”

By creating and prioritizing DEI programs in your company, you can:

  • Increase employee well-being and satisfaction
  • Increase your profits
  • Reduce employee turnover

To learn more about what it means to be a diverse and inclusive workplace, watch this video.

Creating a DEI Program

Here are the five levels outlined by Trucks, Parts, and Service to be aware of when trying to expand your company's DEI practices:

  • Basic: A company with little to no DEI strategy
  • Awareness: Leaders are aware of DEI, but no initiative to prioritize DEI
  • Understanding & Application: Company begins to understand and promote DEI as business objectives
  • Integrated: DEI becomes a priority in the company and DEI training is “constant and accepted”
  • Sustainable: “DEI is embedded in organizational culture, workplace is diverse, and all represented groups have a voice in the company”

Women in Trucking also provides tips on how to integrate DEI practices into a company:

  • Get comfortable being uncomfortable: We must accept, understand, and work to unlearn our own biases to create an inclusive environment
  • Educate yourself on diversity, equity, and inclusion
  • “Understand and demonstrate consideration for others”
  • Advocate for others