PULSE POINTS

BY JOSH CORMAN

IT COMES AS LITTLE SURPRISE THAT , of the five strategic priorities HR leaders find most critical for 2021 , employee well-being and mental health is number one . According to Future Workplace ’ s 2021 HR Sentiment Survey , more than two-thirds of HR leaders ( 68 percent ) selected that option as a top priority . After navigating the COVID-19 pandemic for nearly two years , it seems that both employers and employees are more attuned than ever to the role that the workplace can play in an individual ’ s wellbeing , and vice-versa .

The difference between diversity , equity and inclusion has been illustrated in a number of ways , but here are the definitions used by Harvard Business Review for the purposes of the research described in this article : l DIVERSITY : Having a heterogenous mix of identities ( race , ethnicity , nationality , gender , gender identity , veteran status , physical and cognitive ability , age , sexual orientation , socioeconomic class , experience , etc .) l EQUITY : Regardless of identity , all employees are compensated fairly and have the opportunity and support to succeed and grow in their jobs . l INCLUSION : The identities of all employees are respected and valued . Employees have the opportunity to participate and contribute regardless of their identity .

50 PULSE ⁿ NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2021