Working together leads to better performance

Diversity and inclusion programs are receiving increasing focus by corporate citizenship professionals. Those that are developing their programs must remember that the success of diversity and inclusion programs rests not only on the acquisition of a diverse workforce, but also on the cultivation of an inclusive environment. Research finds that employee workgroups perform better when they operate in an inclusive environment that welcomes and appreciates the contributions of all employees. Managers should take care to ensure that discrimination does not develop within workgroups, as the perception of discrimination results in decreased productivity, especially in larger groups.