Diversity in the Workplace

Introduction
A diverse workforce consists of individuals from a wide range of cultures, standpoints and background is pivotal. Organizations that generate inclusivity within the workplace setting and hearten success amongst all personnel outperform their rivals. Organizations that embrace and implement diversity have better performances in the market. Statistics indicate that for every 1 percent increase in gender diversity, there is an increase in organizational revenue by 3 percent. Furthermore, greater levels of ethnic diversity result in an increase in revenue generated by almost 15 percent. It is also imperative to note that in the present day, progressively more individuals have become cognizant and 67 percent of lively and inactive job seekers assert that when assessing organizations and job offerings, it is imperative to them that the organization has a diverse workforce. In recent times, companies across the globe are outrivaling and taking more initiative with respect to diversity hiring (McSweeney, 2016). One of the major organizations that is managing diversity in an efficacious manner is Accenture.
Diversity Management at Accenture
Accenture have a staunch and resolute dedication to diversity with the objective that each and every one of its workforce has a complete sense of belonging within the company. As a business necessity, each individual at Accenture has the culpability to create and maintain an environment that is inclusive. Notably, inclusion and diversity are imperative to Accenture’s corporate culture and core values. The organization has the fundamental belief that no individual ought to face discrimination simply owing to their differences, such as religion, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, and gender identity. Taking this into consideration, the company’s extensive level of diversity makes Accenture stronger, in terms of being more inventive, more competitive and more resourceful, which is beneficial in rendering better service to their consumers and communities (Accenture, 2018). I believe that Accenture is managing diversity well as a result of its associated statistics and data. The company’s dedication begins at the highest level. Imperatively, leaders at all levels within the organization are anticipated to aid in the development and nurturing of an inclusive workplace setting. In addition, the organization is dedicated to transparency and setting valiant goals and objectives. Statistics indicate that in the United States, by the year 2020, the company will increase the number of women to no less than 40 percent of its labor force and recruit no less than 5,000 military veterans and spouses. Internationally, the company will accomplish a labor force that is gender balanced by 2025 and ensure that the percentage of female managing directors to 25 percent at the turn of the decade (Diversity Inc., 2018).
The company is on course to accomplishing these goals. Based on the company’s website, in the 2017 financial year, Accenture added more than 1,800 personnel hailing from diverse background, a significant increase from 1,000 employees the previous financial year. The company also increased the number of women in the labor force by 1 percentage to 37 percent, making advancement towards the objective of at least 40 percent women in the workforce by 2020. Furthermore, the company employed 750 veterans and military spouses, which saw the company go beyond its halfway mark in the objective of employing 5,000 of them by 2020. What is more, roughly 2,300 individuals who have identified themselves as being persons with disabilities signify approximately 4.5 percent of the labor force (Accenture, 2018).
There are different kinds of diversity programs or initiatives that Accenture currently has and operates. Accenture has developed international training programs that comprise of diversity awareness, diversity management, and professional development.
Diversity Awareness
This program is means to assist people to comprehend the benefits of working with a diverse organization. At the core of Accenture’s endeavors is hearing out its workforce and encouraging them to comprehend and revel in their dissimilarities. In recent times, the company published an audiovisual that was titled “Inclusion Starts With I”. Notably, this video comprised of individuals who honestly shared their feelings and perspectives regarding inclusion. This audiovisual was a significant aspect as it inspired a movement and instigated open deliberations and dialogue amidst the company’s people, associates, families and consumers regarding the significance of a constructive, inclusive work setting (Diversity Inc., 2018).
In its diversity awareness program, Accenture has conducted research and reports to help individuals understand the advantages of working in tandem with a diverse and inclusive organization. The most recent Getting to Equal research undertaken by Accenture demonstrates that generating an organizational culture of equality unravels women’s potential and reveals the fundamental drivers of a workplace culture where each and every individual can progress and prosper. Findings from the report show that in organizations with a culture of equality, a woman is likely to rise four times more and a man is likely to rise two times more. In addition, statistics indicate that women could earn 51 percent more in an organization that is diverse and inclusive and that 95 percent of the population will be satisfied with their career path in such an organization (Accenture, 2018). In the same manner the report undertaken by the company informs people that there is strength in pride in support of LGBT populaces. Notably, new outcomes demonstrate that generating a culture of equality aids LGBT professionals to prosper. More specifically, in firms where the aspects are most common, they are 1.5 times more likely to progress their careers to a managerial position or even higher. There is also a 3 times more likelihood of advancing to senior managerial role or higher (Accenture, 2018).
Diversity Management
The main objective of this global program is to equip senior managers and executives to manage diverse teams. The determination and goal of Accenture is to become the most inclusive and diverse organization across the globe. The corporation espouses diversity as a foundation of invention, creativity, and competitive advantage, driven by its conviction that diversity makes it stronger. The company’s dedication begins at the highest level. Imperatively, leaders heading the company at all levels are expected to assist the development and nurturing an inclusive workplace setting. The key objective of Accenture, in the United States, is to ensure that the number of women within its labor force has risen to at least 40 percent. The company also has the goal of increasing its military veterans and spouse staff to at least 5,000 people. According to the company’s projections, internationally they will have attained a gender-balanced staff by 2025 and also ensure that the number of female managing directors rises to 25 percent (Accenture, 2018).
Accenture is also dedicated to facilitating transparency. Notably, the company was one of the first companies to give a report of its diversity and inclusivity. In accordance to Accenture (2018), transparency generates trust. The company gives publication of its labor force demographics in several nations across the globe and reports its progress internationally. For instance, reports by the company show that 45 percent of Accenture’s new hires are women. 41 percent of the company’s international workforces are women and 32 percent of their newly promoted managing directors are women. Accenture inspires its staff to participate in open conversations about diversity through its "Building Bridges" discourse sequence, which came into being in 2016. For instance, in the past two years or so, the company has hosted beyond 15 succeeding sessions in the United States on a range of topics, comprising of sexual identity, conviction, as well as being their authentic selves within the workplace. Furthermore, to facilitate the progression of the conversation regarding equality within the workplace setting, Accenture in recent times published a report that showed the fundamental drivers of a workplace culture in which every individual can not only progress but also prosper (Diversity Inc., 2018).
Professional Development
This global program is purposed to enables women, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) and ethnically diverse personnel to build skills for success. Making certain that an inclusive workplace setting for all personnel irrespective of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression all over the globe is a fundamental part of Accenture’s belief that diversity makes the corporation stronger. According to the company website, pride, gender identity and sexual orientation matter. This is the reason why Accenture is nurturing a workplace setting that encourages freedom of expression for all of its personnel across the globe. Furthermore, Accenture facilitates a celebration across the entire organization for International Day of Persons with Disabilities in addition to an endeavor to assist their personnel with different support like assistive technology, work schedules that are beneficial and flexible and additional training (Accenture, 2018). Accenture was one of the very first corporations to incorporate sexual orientation and gender identity and expression information within its policy for non-discrimination. At the turn of this decade, Accenture became one of only nine corporations within America to carry out transgender changeover guiding principles that are in compliance with World Professional Association for Transgender Health benchmarks. In the present day, the organization provides employee benefits to same-sex couples, with the exception of where precluded by regulation and continues to lay emphasis on extra areas to aid in making certain that there is equality within the workplace setting. On an international basis, it assimilates sexual-orientation language in its policy for non-discrimination, offer same-sex domestic partners with corresponding cross-border work assignment benefits and an international medical plan for long-standing assignments as well as transfers. Most of all, Accenture has instigated policies, where allowed by law, to make certain that there is equal treatment of personnel, irrespective of sexual orientation or gender identity and also facilitates the provision of training encompassing bisexual and gender identity issues (Diversity MBA Magazine, 2012).
Furthermore, the company’s Women’s Network provides an international online resource with local impact for women globally. It makes available a platform to point out accomplishments, share experiences, and network and dialogue on topics that range from the integration and balance between work and life and also roles that women play within the organization. For instance, in the 2012 financial year, Accenture spend an excess of $800 million with respect to training, with a distinct focus on generating personalized courses to assist its women grow and develop. Examples of these courses comprise of “Developing High Performing Women”, “Women and Client Centricity”, and “Maximizing My Senior Executive Career.” In recent times, the company unveiled an international women’s theme titled “Defining Success: Your Way” and Accenture is in the process of ensuring resources are available to empower each and every woman within its workforce. In general, the organization is dedicated to supporting its women’s professional goals, ambitions, and targets, which are as distinctive as the women who render high performance on a daily basis (Diversity MBA Magazine, 2012).
Conclusion
Diversity and inclusion is not just a hyped expression but is rather a business necessity that is directly linked to the business model of the successful companies not only in the United States but also all over the world. Diversity and inclusion is not only perceived as an asset to the personnel and company, it is an imperative. As organizations strive to build up their bottom lines by means of greater employee engagement, forceful recruitment and retention endeavors, together with perceptive marketing strategies, diversity is expected to grow to the forefront as pivotal for growth and attainment. A company that is effective at managing diversity is Accenture. The company has the belief that no individual should be discriminated against owing to their dissimilarities, for instance, gender, age, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, or gender identity. In its diversity management endeavors, diversity training within Accenture is categorized into three different groups. One category is diversity awareness, which is purposed to aid individual comprehend the advantages of working within a diverse organization. The second category is diversity management, which is intended to prepare and arm executives to efficaciously manage diverse teams. Lastly, there is the professional development category, which is means to empower women, ethnically diverse and LGBT personnel to build and horn skills for accomplishment and success. What is more, the company also puts on an organizational-wide festivity and gala of International Day of Persons with Disabilities in addition to strive to aid their personnel with different forms of assistive technology to work with, flexible work schedules and also extra training.



References
McSweeney, M. (2016). Companies Around the World that are Embracing Diversity in a Big Way. Social Talent. Retrieved 23 July,2018 from: https://www.socialtalent.com/blog/recruitment/10-companies-around-the-world-that-are-embracing-diversity
Diversity MBA Magazine. (2012). Inclusion & Diversity: Accenture’s Journey Forward. Retrieved 24 July, 2018 from: http://diversitymbamagazine.com/inclusion-diversity-accentures-journey-forward
Accenture. (2018). Gender Equality Research. Retrieved 23 July, 2018 from: https://www.accenture.com/us-en/gender-equality-research
Accenture. (2018). Inclusion & Diversity. Retrieved 24 July, 2018 from: https://www.accenture.com/us-en/company-diversity
Diversity Inc. (2018). Accenture. Retrieved 24 July, 2018 from: https://www.diversityinc.com/accenture