Diversity and Inclusion

As companies strive to hire the best employees in an increasingly diverse workforce, the idea of "inclusion" has become a business imperative. While many diversity programs are still likely to focus on race, ethnicity and gender, a range of other issues such as age, religion, nationality, disability, and sexual orientation are now included in mainstream initiatives.

The term "inclusion" is replacing diversity in the emerging literature of the 21st century, writes Quinetta M. Roberson of the Columbia University School of Industrial and Labor Relations. According to Roberson's studies, diversity refers to a group's demographic qualities, while inclusion involves the degree to which "individuals feel a part of the organizational process" and are therefore encouraged to maximize the use of their skills.