Industry GuidanceDiversity, Equity & InclusionDiversity, Equity & Inclusion RoadmapDEI: Build and Sustain Inclusive Cultures

Build and Sustain Inclusive Cultures

Practices that build an organization-wide culture where it is expected that all individuals are treated with respect and dignity and given equal opportunity to succeed.

Adopt a Family Leave Policy

Adopt and implement a family leave policy that is equally beneficial to all caregivers.

Go to National Partnerships for Women and Families
National Partnerships for Women and Families
This report outlines companies that have recently implemented family leave policies or have extended their family leave policies.
Go to The National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) Parental Leave Model Document
The National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) Parental Leave Model Document
The NVCA model documents include a number of sample parental leave policies from various regions.

Create Diverse Employee Resource Groups

Identify, establish and promote employee resource groups (ERGs) that support diverse team members at your organization.

Go to Blackstone
Blackstone
Blackstone operates a number of ERGs which are highlighted on the firm's D&I webpage and include: OUT Blackstone, the Veterans Network, and the Diverse Professionals Network.
Go to OUT Leadership
OUT Leadership
Out Leadership is the global LGBT+ business network. We help Out Leaders and organizations realize the economic growth and talent dividend derived from inclusive business.
Go to Justworks Blog: How ERGs Can Enhance Professional Development
Justworks Blog: How ERGs Can Enhance Professional Development
Employee Resource Groups create a company culture of inclusion and can also help employees develop professionally. This article explores these and other benefits of joining or starting an ERG at your company.

Create Inclusive Office Spaces

Designate office space available for those who have diverse needs, including but not limited to religious needs, disabilities, and lactation.

Go to Architect Magazine: Lactation Room Design Guidelines
Architect Magazine: Lactation Room Design Guidelines
Companies with well-furnished mother’s rooms can empower new parents to care for their family without sacrificing career goals. This article offers guidance on how to approach the design of a lactation room.
Go to Equality Hub: Multi-Faith Room Guidance
Equality Hub: Multi-Faith Room Guidance
A number of workplaces will have some sort of arrangements for staff who want to pray, meditate or contemplate at work. This article offers practical guidance on how to create and manage multi-faith space.
Go to Forbes: How Do We Design Workplaces for D&I
Forbes: How Do We Design Workplaces for D&I
This article by Dr. Pragya Agarwal explains inclusive design and what it means for the workplace.

Encourage the Use of Inclusive language

Ensure that language being used is inclusive of all people, including but not limited to, members of the LGBTQIA+ community and women.

Go to The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) D&I Glossary
The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) D&I Glossary
The AICPA released a document that defines common words used when talking about D&I.
Go to British Columbia Public Service Agency Guidance: "Words Matter"
British Columbia Public Service Agency Guidance: "Words Matter"
This document offers guidelines on using inclusive language in the workplace.
Go to Human Rights Campaign Foundation: Talking About Pronouns
Human Rights Campaign Foundation: Talking About Pronouns
This guide developed by the HRC Foundation offers insight into the use of pronouns in the workplace.

Establish Flexible Work Policies

Establish work-from-home policies or other flexible arrangements to accommodate employees who are well-suited for remote opportunitities.

Go to Organizations such as BDC list "Flexible Work Arrangements" among their primary benefits.
Organizations such as BDC list "Flexible Work Arrangements" among their primary benefits.
The AICPA released a document that defines common words used when talking about D&I.
Go to Pension & Investments: Study on Flex Time
Pension & Investments: Study on Flex Time
This article cites flex work policies as a key factor in drawing and retaining top talent according to Pensions & Investments' Best Places to Work in Money Management 2018 survey.
Go to Stercus Creek
Stercus Creek
This Medium article by Gregory Sherrow of Stercus Creek offers guidance on how to set up a successful work from home policy.
Go to Workable: Work from Home Policy Sample
Workable: Work from Home Policy Sample
This Work from Home Policy template can be tailored to your company’s needs and is designed as a starting point for establishing employment policies on working from home.

Hold Unconscious Bias Training

Implement training that helps employees recognize their own biases and gives them tools to overcome them in their decision-making, improving workplace diversity through hiring, retaining employees and interactions with others.

Go to Ernst Young (EY) Canada and The Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) Paper
Ernst Young (EY) Canada and The Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) Paper
This paper co-authored by EY and RBC discusses overcoming hidden biases to harness diversity's true potential.
Go to Fearless Futures
Fearless Futures
Fearless Futures uniquely works within organizations to engage people in critical thinking to understand and challenge the root causes of inequalities and to grow powerful new leadership for transformative change.
Go to Inquest Consulting
Inquest Consulting
Inquest Consulting helps individuals, teams and organizations think, lead and interact inclusively.
Go to PDT Global
PDT Global
PDT Global is a worldwide diversity and inclusion training consultancy who enables clients to create inclusive workplaces where everyone with the capability and desire to excel can do so.
Go to Project Implicit
Project Implicit
Project Implicit is a non-profit organization and international collaboration between researchers who are interested in implicit social cognition - thoughts and feelings outside of conscious awareness and control. The goal of the organization is to educate the public about hidden biases and to provide a “virtual laboratory” for collecting data on the Internet.

Unconscious Bias Training Providers

Below is a list of unconscious bias training providers that have been shared with ILPA through our Diversity in Action Signatories network and D&I Roadmap submissions. We encourage organizations interested in pursuing training to conduct research to determine the provider best suited for their needs.