The words diversity and inclusion (D&I) have become more ingrained in workplace cultures in recent years, but what do they actually mean? With 46%* of workers in Australia claiming that they either some, or all of the time, feel unable to be their true self at work, there’s still work to be done in ensuring workplaces are truly diverse and inclusive to all.

We surveyed more than 1,500 workers across the nation to see what D&I means to them. Download the report to see the results—and discover how you can create a diverse and inclusive environment that helps both your current and future employees thrive.

Key findings from the report*:

  • Just over half of employees in Australia say that where they work actually employs a diverse workforce
  • 30% of LGBTIQ+ employees, and 29% of workers who have a disability, say they do not feel able to speak up openly at work without fear of criticism
  • A third of Baby Boomers say they hide part of their identity at work
  • 20% of workers who have a disability do not believe their organisation would take appropriate action in reponse to an incident of discrimination in the workplace
  • 80% of people surveyed said that when looking for a new job, it’s important that the places where they apply to work, promote diversity and inclusion

Featured Case Studies

“Embedding a culture of D&I that is sustainable beyond any one person, policy or employee network takes patience and time. The journey is so rewarding though.”

Kristy Kelly
Head of Diversity and Inclusion
Vodafone

“Bias is something we all have, but for someone with a disability, it can be especially prevalent when we’re applying for a job because recruiters and hiring managers might assume you are not capable of doing things that you are perfectly capable of.”

Erin Waddell
Employer Insights Strategist
Indeed

“It’s important to recognise that we have not had identical lived experiences or opportunities. Without making our policies, processes and behaviours more inclusive, we are failing to capture the talented people who don’t fit that mould.”

Maci Hamdorf
Diversity and Inclusion Advisor
RMIT University

*The research in this report was commissioned by Thrive PR on behalf of Indeed and conducted by YouGov. The study was conducted online between 13 - 19 February 2020, involving 1,512 participants.