Company Diversity Audits: What to Look For

Embracing organizational diversity and inclusion isn’t just the right thing to do; it’s essential for building a thriving, creative, and engaged workforce.

More and more companies are taking proactive steps to prioritize diversity initiatives. To assess their progress and uncover areas for growth, many companies are turning to a powerful tool: diversity audits.

But what exactly are diversity audits, and how do you conduct them? We’ll tell you everything you need to know below.

What are Diversity Audits?

Diversity audits are check-ups that tell organizations how healthy they are regarding diversity and inclusion. These audits may include the review of the following:

• Current Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives
• Workplace policies
• Employee complaints and HR responses
• Diversity committee files
• Talent-recruitment programs

The main goal of a diversity audit is to get a clear picture of whether the organization is doing everything it can to address diversity and inclusion issues. It helps identify gaps or biases and offers insights to develop strategies that foster a more inclusive work environment.

What to Look for in a Diversity Audit

1. Inclusion and Equity Policies

Investigate the organization's policies and practices. Are they committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels respected and treated fairly? Look for signs that the organization values diversity and actively promotes equal opportunities.

2. Diverse Leadership

Who’s calling the shots within the organization? Are there diverse voices in leadership positions? It's essential to have a mix of people from different backgrounds making important decisions.

3. Recruitment & Hiring Practices

Explore how the organization finds and selects new employees. Do they have strategies in place to attract a diverse pool of candidates? Are they actively working to eliminate biases affecting hiring decisions?

4. Employee Engagement and Satisfaction

Find out what employees are saying about the organization. Begin by checking out public forums like Glassdoor, where employees often share candid opinions.

Additionally, if there are any exit interviews or employee surveys available, take advantage of them. These valuable resources can provide insights into employee satisfaction levels and highlight any recurring issues within the organization.

5. Follow the Data

More and more companies have started making their diversity numbers public. You can find this information through external surveys, industry awards, or by simply checking out the company's public website. You can also ask for details on salary and incentive payments to ensure pay equity is being addressed.

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