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For An Inclusive Workplace

In 2020, The Financial Times (FT) ranked Cork as the 6th best small European city in terms of its economic potential. In the same report, FT also labeled the “South-West” region of Ireland as one of the top European regions of the future.1 Given these projections on Cork’s potential to become an integral hub for global business, it is clear that more and more people from all over the world will be considering this city home – bringing their diverse cultures, languages, ethnicities, abilities and ideas along with them. It is essential, therefore, that employers strive to foster diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) within their workplaces.

Here at Cork Chamber, we are committed to doing just that. This year, we are endeavoring to improve our own DEI policies and practices, as well as to assist our members on their own DEI journeys.

Here are a few things we have done thus far:

Launched our Diversity Statement on CorkChamber.ie

Became the first not-for-profit organisation to sign the Inclusive Workplace Pledge sponsored by Business in the Community - More information on this new and important initiative can be found at www.bitc.ie

Proudly sponsored Cork Pride Week and the Diversity and Inclusion Conference

Developed and distributed a DEI survey to gauge our members’ progress/stance on these important issues as well as conducted several interviews with key members to discuss DEI on a more in-depth level

We have also committed to do the following:

Actively engage with groups such as the Cork Migrant Centre, Nasc, NCE Outreach as well as other social enterprises

Coordinate the promotion of multicultural and minority work placements among member companies

Continue to advocate for a progressive and welcoming policy and legislative environment

Balance our board diversity with those of international and minority backgrounds

Explore diversity and anti-racism in the workplace training for our member companies

Establish diversity and inclusion working groups made up of Chamber members

It has been proven time and time again that having a diverse, equal and inclusive workplace strengthens an organisation’s bottom line. In fact, a 2019 McKinsey report showed that organisations with high levels of diversity are 15% more likely to see “above average financial returns” than organisations with lower levels of diversity.2 Other studies have shown that organisations which foster DEI have lower employee turnover rates3, increased levels of innovation and higher performance rates overall.4 These facts show that not only is strengthening DEI in the workplace the right thing to do, it is also the financially responsible thing to do.

We hope that by gaining a better understanding of where our members currently stand on the issues of DEI we will be able to tailor our support to the areas where we are needed most. The Cork Chamber DEI journey is under way and we are excited to learn, grow and evolve with our members throughout the process.

Together, we can continue to make Cork a welcoming place for business.

1 The Financial Times Ltd. (2020) “fDi European Cities and Regions of the Future 2020/21.”

February/March. 2 Dixon-Fyle, S., Dolan, K., Hunt, V. and Prince, S. (2019) “Diversity Wins: How Inclusion

Matters.” McKinsey & Company, 18 May 2020. 3 Aramovich, N. and Chrobot-Mason, D. (2013) “The Psychological Benefits of Creating an

Affirming Climate for Workplace Diversity.” Group and Organization Management, 38(6): pp. 659-689. 4 Ammad, A., Hossain, M., Lokman, M. and Muhammad, A. (2020) “Do LGBT Workplace

Diversity Policies Create Value for Firms?” Journal of Business Ethics, 167(4): pp. 775-791.