What is the difference between diversity and inclusion?
There is an essential difference between diversity and inclusion, and the interviewer would like to know that you are aware of the critical distinction. Diversity is often explained as 'what the company is doing' to attract a range of workplace talent. Inclusion is the 'how' referring to what the company is doing to embrace this diversity plan. As you can see, using this distinction, diversity efforts mean much less when inclusion efforts do not occur in tandem. For instance, a company can hire a female executive; however, if she does not have an equal voice, this diversity hire is simply lip-service. Discuss what you know to be the difference between diversity and inclusion.
"Inclusion is taking a diversity plan and putting it into action. It's approaching a diverse hire and ensuring that the individual also experiences equity in the workplace. For instance, in my current position, we make a great effort to hire a diverse range of individuals with physical disabilities. If we did not also ensure that these individuals had equal access to accessible technology or physical spaces that met their needs, we would not be meeting the inclusive side of our diversity and inclusion plan - only the diversity aspect. I strongly believe that, although these two terms are often used interchangeably in the workplace, the distinction is incredibly important."
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Anonymous Answer
Diversity is hiring a diverse array of people. Inclusion is putting diversity into practice and making people feel welcome and included. So for instance we can hire visually impaired people and be diverse but we wouldn't be inclusive if we didn't provide them with special monitors so they can work properly.
Amanda's Feedback
Excellent! You've defined each correctly and used a simple example that illustrates the difference clearly.
