Foster an inclusive workplace with DEI Director Julie Branscombe

February 14, 2023

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Why an inclusive workplace is important for your company

Major global events have impacted how many workplaces function. Employees now look for flexibility, hybrid working arrangements and a more inclusive and progressive workplace culture in general. This uncertain environment is requiring many companies to adapt or fall behind. As a result, many companies are finding ways to thrive by focusing on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in the workplace.

We sat down with Julie Branscombe, the Director of DEI at Cogeco Inc. In this article, Julie talks about how organizations can foster an inclusive workplace to drive innovation and a sense of belonging.

How workplace inclusivity supports your bottom line

Beyond a 1-time policy or program, employers who take a holistic approach to embedding DEI within everything they do from workplace to customer, community, suppliers and brand outpace their competitors. Research has shown that diverse and inclusive organizations are 87% more likely to make better decisions than their peers, and are 75% faster at bringing products to market.

That’s because Diversity, Equity and Inclusion together can enable a highly collaborative and engaging experience, according to Julie. This, in turn, can drive innovation and more diversity amongst customers and communities, leading to improved organizational performance, as well as inclusive growth in society.

Benefits of diversity and inclusion in the workplace

An inclusive workplace culture that is respectful of values and celebrates differences enables employee engagement, retention and productivity. However, having a diverse company is not enough without inclusion. Julie notes that the key is to ensure that employees not only feel welcome, but also feel celebrated for the unique qualities, skills and experiences they bring.

Practicing inclusion helps people work better, according to studies that show how exclusion has a negative impact on cognitive performance.

Research has found that people who feel included have more control over negative thoughts and feelings, and they’ll feel more committed and invested in their teams and their colleagues.

Workplace culture sets the tone for inclusivity

Workplace culture is linked to a business’ values, beliefs, goals and practices. Julie stresses that simply talking about what your business values is one thing, but employees need to see and feel those values are demonstrated.

While there can be challenges such as legacy policies, practices, unwritten rules or biases which may favour some groups over others, it’s worth the effort for leaders to reimagine the structure and systems using an inclusive lens.

How Cogeco is fostering an inclusive workplace culture

In addition to the Cogeco Women’s Network, which recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary, Cogeco has launched 3 additional company-wide Employee Resource Groups (ERGs): Multicultural, Pride and Abilities. With their own brand Connect, these grassroots networks are supported by 100 colleagues who are offering networking and development opportunities. They are raising awareness and creating safe spaces to connect and learn about the challenges employees often encounter in the workplace. They also celebrate important dates like Black History Month, International Women’s Day, Pride and Mental Health Awareness with internal campaigns. Ultimately these networks are driving inclusion, a sense of belonging and employee engagement more broadly.

“Recently in recognition of Martin Luther King Day, many colleagues undertook acts of kindness in their community and posted their stories on the intranet. The movement was positively contagious!” says Julie.

Externally, Cogeco is equally as active in terms of sponsoring a variety of local community organizations and initiatives. And they regularly embed Diversity and Inclusion-related topics in YourTV programming for customers as well.

Julie says, “I am so proud and excited to see so much shared commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive culture at Cogeco.”

How everyone can share accountability for diversity and inclusion

Julie highlights how everyone can do their part to learn and advance diversity and inclusion in the workplace:

Be curious about the uniqueness of others—practice active listening, being empathetic and trying to understand what makes each person unique while playing to their strengths.

HR team members can search for talent in new places (e.g. job boards or websites that specialize in diverse hiring) and consider how unique skills or experiences can benefit more homogeneous teams.

Companies can implement more progressive, equitable and accessible policies and processes, such as parental leave, workplace flexibility and assistive technologies.

Everyone can challenge each other to think outside the box to drive more innovative ideas and better decision making.

Taking DEI into your own hands

Whether you’re just starting to include DEI in your company, or have been doing so for years, you now have a better understanding of how to foster an inclusive workplace. Even though creating and maintaining an inclusive environment is a gradual process, it’s a journey worth taking for the sake of your employees and customers, and for the direct benefit of your business.

Why an inclusive workplace is important for your company

How workplace inclusivity supports your bottom line

Benefits of diversity and inclusion in the workplace

Workplace culture sets the tone for inclusivity

How Cogeco is fostering an inclusive workplace culture

How everyone can share accountability for diversity and inclusion

Taking DEI into your own hands

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