DEI State of Play: Current & Emerging Focus Areas in Australia

In Australia, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts have evolved significantly, reflecting unique local dynamics. Current and emerging themes in diversity and inclusion in Australia include:

1. First Nations Inclusion and Reconciliation

• Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs): Organisations continue to develop and implement RAPs to acknowledge and address the historical and ongoing disadvantages faced by Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people.
• Cultural Awareness: Cultural competency training to foster understanding and respect for First Nations' cultures, histories, and contributions.
• Indigenous Employment Strategies: Programs aimed at increasing employment opportunities for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people and supporting their career development.
• Cultural Safety: Creating an environment that is respectful, inclusive, and supportive of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples cultural identities, histories, and practices.
• Celebrating Indigenous Culture: Recognising and celebrating significant Indigenous events, such as NAIDOC Week and National Reconciliation Week.
• Partnerships with First Nations communities and organisations: This can include collaborating on community projects, supporting First Nations' businesses, and engaging in community consultation.
• Supplier Diversity: Implementing supplier diversity programs that prioritise procurement from Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander-owned businesses.
• Governance Structures: Establishing advisory groups or committees that include Indigenous members to guide and inform the organisation’s Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander inclusion strategies.

2. Gender Equality

• Gender Pay Gap Reporting: Mandatory reporting and transparency measures aimed at addressing and reducing the gender pay gap.
• Flexible Work Policies: Encouragement of flexible working arrangements by all employees across rank and gender to disrupt gendered caregiving norms and support work-life balance.
• Leadership Representation: Initiatives to increase the representation of women in leadership and executive roles including a focus on lateral development to ensure women have greater exposure to line roles.

3. Gendered Violence

• Respect at Work: Strengthening of legislative requirements to prevent sexual harassment and gender-based discrimination.
• Comprehensive Policies: Developing clear, comprehensive workplace policies that address all forms of gendered violence, including domestic violence, sexual harassment, and bullying.
• Zero Tolerance Stance: Establishing a zero-tolerance policy towards gendered violence and ensuring it is communicated to all employees.
• Awareness Programs: Implementing regular training and awareness programs for all employees to recognize, prevent, and respond to gendered violence.
• Leadership Training: Providing specialized training for managers and leaders to handle disclosures of gendered violence appropriately and sensitively.
• Clear Reporting Channels: Establishing clear, confidential, and accessible reporting mechanisms for incidents of gendered violence.
• Prompt Action: Ensuring timely and appropriate responses to reports of gendered violence, including investigation, support for the victim, and disciplinary action against perpetrators.
• Anonymous Reporting: Allowing for anonymous reporting to encourage those who may fear retaliation or stigma.
• Promoting Respect: Fostering a workplace culture that promotes respect, equality, and inclusion through regular communication and role modeling by leadership.
• Domestic Violence Leave: Providing paid leave for employees experiencing domestic violence to allow them time to seek safety, attend court, or access support services.
• Safe Work Environment: Ensuring the physical workplace is safe and supportive for all employees, with measures such as secure entry systems and workplace adjustments for affected employees.
• Partnerships: Partnering with external organisations, such as domestic violence services, to provide specialised support and resources to employees.
• Community Engagement: Engaging with broader community initiatives and campaigns to combat gendered violence.

4. LGBTQIA+ Inclusion

• Policy Development: Creation and implementation of inclusive policies that protect the rights and well-being of LGBTQIA+ employees.
• Support Networks: Establishment of employee resource groups and support networks for LGBTQIA+ staff with a increased focus on transgender, gender diverse and lesbian inclusion.
• Inclusive Language and Practices: Promotion of inclusive language, pronoun usage, and practices that respect and affirm diverse gender identities and sexual orientations.
• Gender-Neutral Facilities: Providing gender-neutral restrooms and changing facilities to accommodate all employees.
• Pride Celebrations: Actively participating in and supporting LGBTQ+ events such as Pride Month, IDAHOBIT (International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia, and Transphobia), and Wear it Purple Day.
• Visibility: Displaying symbols of LGBTQ+ support, such as rainbow flags and posters, within the workplace.
• Allyship: Creating allies programs that encourage non-LGBTQ+ employees to support and advocate for their LGBTQ+ colleagues.

5. Multicultural Inclusion

• Culturally Diverse Leadership: Efforts to increase the representation of culturally, linguistically and racially diverse individuals in leadership positions.
• From CALD to CARM: CALD stands for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse. This term is used to describe individuals and communities with diverse cultural backgrounds and languages. It highlights the variety of cultural identities and languages within a population without necessarily focusing on marginalization or disadvantage. CALD is more about recognizing and appreciating the diversity in cultural practices, languages, and experiences. CARM stands for Culturally and Racially Marginalized. This term is used to refer to communities and individuals who experience marginalization due to their cultural and racial backgrounds. It emphasizes the experiences of exclusion, discrimination, and systemic disadvantage faced by these groups. CARM is focused on the socio-political dynamics that lead to marginalization and the need to address these inequalities.
• Cultural Competency Training: Providing cultural competency training for all employees to increase awareness and understanding of the experiences and challenges faced by CARM individuals.
• Bias Awareness: Implementing unconscious bias training to help employees recognise and mitigate their own biases.
• Anti-Racism Initiatives: Programs aimed at combating racism and promoting racial equity in the workplace and the broader community.
• CARM ERGs: Establishing employee resource groups specifically for CARM employees to provide support, foster community, and advocate for their needs within the organisation.
• Data Collection: Collecting and analyzing data on workforce diversity to identify gaps and measure progress in CARM inclusion efforts.

6. Disability Inclusion

• Accessibility Audits: Regular audits to ensure physical and digital environments are accessible to people with disabilities.
• Reasonable Adjustments: Policies to provide reasonable adjustments and accommodations for employees with disabilities.
• Inclusive Job Descriptions: Crafting job descriptions that focus on essential skills and competencies, avoiding unnecessary physical requirements that may exclude candidates with disabilities.
• Accessible Application Processes: Ensuring the recruitment process is accessible, including online applications, interview locations, and materials. Providing alternative formats or assistance as needed.
• Targeted Recruitment: Partnering with disability employment services and organizations to attract candidates with disabilities.
• Promotion and Advancement: Ensuring employees with disabilities have equal opportunities for promotion and career advancement.
• Celebrating Diversity: Recognising and celebrating International Day of Persons with Disabilities and other significant events to promote disability inclusion and awareness.

7. Neurodiversity Inclusion

• Awareness and Training: Increasing awareness and training around neurodiversity, including understanding conditions like autism, ADHD, and dyslexia.
• Inclusive Recruitment Practices: Developing recruitment processes that are inclusive and supportive of neurodiverse candidates.
• Workplace Adjustments: Creating supportive work environments that accommodate different neurological needs and working styles.

8. Age Diversity

• Intergenerational Workforce: Encouraging and managing a diverse age workforce, promoting knowledge transfer between generations.
• Age-Friendly Policies: Implementing policies that support older workers, such as phased retirement options and lifelong learning opportunities.

9. Mental Health and Well-being

• Mental Health Programs: Expanding mental health support services, including Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) and mental health days.
• Well-being Initiatives: Promoting a holistic approach to employee well-being, encompassing physical, mental, and emotional health.

10. Data-Driven D&I Strategies

• Data Collection and Analysis: Using data to inform D&I strategies, measure progress, and identify areas for improvement.
• Transparency and Accountability: Publicly reporting on D&I metrics and holding organisations accountable for their commitments and progress.

11. Inclusive Leadership and Governance

• Leadership Commitment: Senior leaders championing and modeling inclusive behaviour and practices.
• Diverse Boards: Efforts to diversify the composition of boards and governance structures to reflect the diversity of the community and workforce.

12. Intersectionality

• Holistic Approaches: Recognising and addressing the interconnected nature of various identity factors (e.g., race, gender, sexuality) and their impact on individuals' experiences.
• Customised Programs: Developing initiatives that cater to the unique needs of individuals who belong to multiple marginalised groups.

13. Managing Tensions Linked to Global Conflicts

• Respectful Workplace Policies: Reinforcing policies that promote respect, tolerance, and inclusivity in the workplace, particularly in discussions related to sensitive global conflicts.
• Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs): Offering EAPs that provide confidential counseling and support to employees experiencing stress or anxiety related to global conflicts.
• Conflict Resolution Processes: Implementing formal conflict resolution processes to address workplace tensions stemming from differing viewpoints or concerns related to global conflicts.
• Ethical Leadership: Demonstrating ethical leadership by advocating for peaceful resolution of conflicts and supporting humanitarian efforts.
• Clear Leadership: Providing clear statements condemning violence and discrimination against any individuals on the base of their ethnicity or religion (e.g.. Islamophobia and Antisemistism)

Culture Plus Consulting is a woman-owned diversity, equity, inclusion and cultural change consultancy headquartered in Sydney, Australia. We are committed to improving employer outcomes by cultivating empathic leadership and human work settings, enhancing equity and inclusion for traditionally marginalised groups, and strengthening respect at work and psychological safety. We are proud to partner with leading government and corporate employers across varied industries and geographies to achieve these goals. To learn more about how we can help you, visit www.cultureplusconsulting.com or email [email protected] .