A focus on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) is a business necessity for sustainable talent, wellbeing, meeting ESG commitments and better business outcomes. DEI matters to talent and their experience, consumers, stakeholders, investors, and communities.
Action-oriented commitment to DEI is a competitive differentiator.
Insights from WTW research
- 72%[1] of employers in Canada indicates that DEI is the largest external factor impacting their benefit strategy
- Employers’ efforts in creating an inclusive and diverse work environment have been received well; 7 in 10 employees rate their employer highly[2]
- Many employees feel their employers are making progress in DEI issues, but low income and East Asian employees are less likely to think so
- Low income and South Asian employees are less likely to feel that benefits meet their needs
- Younger employees are more likely to trust the benefit products and providers recommended by their employer
Questions benefits leaders are asking…
Potential solutions:
- Employer insights into DEI benefits trends
- Overlay of employee insights to DEI and benefits trends
- Blue sky meeting
Potential solutions:
- High-level DEI assessment of benefits
- Heatmap to highlight areas of further investigation
- Leaves policy review
Potential solutions:
- DEI governance structure assessment
- Assessment of stakeholder views and priorities using surveys/interviews
- Workshop to define equitable and inclusive benefits principles
Potential solutions:
- A comprehensive DEI review of core benefits
- Benchmarking against compliance, market norms and leading DEI market practices
- Basic demographic and election analytics (age, gender) to determine patterns
- Roadmap with priorities to meet objectives
- Ongoing reporting and measurement protocols
Potential solutions:
- Employee listening activities (focus groups, surveys), Employer insights (workshops and leadership interviews)
- Population analytics to measure participation and affordability
- Benchmarking through our existing research and through customized market studies
Footnotes
- WTW 2021 Best Practices Survey – Canada (BPS) Return to article
- WTW 2022 Global Benefits Attitudes Survey Return to article
Related solutions
