Diverse group of people

At the North Carolina Department of Commerce, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are a top priority.  That's why we have an entire office dedicated to advance this important area of corporate governance and society.

We celebrate the differences that make each North Carolinian, Commerce employee, culture, region, community, industry and business unique, and are committed to prioritizing DEI in everything we do – from employee relations to business practices, to collaborations and partnerships within the economic and workforce development community. Our goal is to lead by example in cultivating an environment – and state – where all people feel valued, respected, and safe to bring their whole self to work. North Carolina’s economy should be one that works for all people of this great state.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion have become buzzwords in the corporate world and beyond. But what does DEI really mean? And why is it important?

Two workers, one in a wheelchair, in an office

Within today’s business environment, diversity, equity, and inclusion are key elements for economic growth:

  • High-profile companies and Fortune 500’s have long utilized inclusive workplace policies as proven recruitment and retention tools.
  • Diversity and inclusion practices enhance employer reputation, increase productivity and overall job satisfaction, and boost employee morale.
  • Businesses actively consider local laws and policies when making decisions about where to headquarter, relocate, or expand.
  • Businesses are becoming increasingly vocal in their support for laws and policies that protect all of their employees and their families – whether at home, in the workplace, or in their communities.
  • Companies are looking to our public officials to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of all residents while encouraging real economic growth that benefits everyone.

DEI is both a moral and a business concern; it is not just the right thing to do, it is also economically advantageous.

Additional Information

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Did you know...

  • 67 percent of job seekers consider workplace diversity an important factor when considering  employment opportunities, and more than 50% of current employees want their workplace to do more to increase diversity. (Glassdoor, 2014)
  • 83 percent of all millennials are more likely to be actively engaged if they believe their company stimulates a diverse and inclusive culture. (Deloitte Millennial Survey, 2018)
  • Highly inclusive companies see 1.4 times more revenue, are 1.7 times more innovative, and notice 2.3 times more cash flow per employee. (Gartner, 2018)

According to McKinsey’s 2019 study, Diversity Wins, which analyzed performance data from 15 countries and over 1,000 companies: 

  • Companies in the top quartile for gender diversity on executive teams were 25% more likely to have above-average profitability than companies in the fourth quartile—up from 21% in 2017 and 15% in 2014.
  • Companies in the top-quartile for ethnic and cultural diversity outperformed those in the fourth by 36% in profitability, slightly up from 33% in 2017 and 35% in 2014 .

As these statistics illustrate, prioritizing DEI translates to increased revenue, innovation, employee retention, and job satisfaction. And companies who fail to support DEI consistently underperform and may consequently fall behind. Now is the time for systemic change. As the private sector becomes more competitive by the day, and the country’s population demographics continue to evolve, don’t be left behind. Learn how your company can strengthen DEI in the workplace and take steps toward greater social and economic success.

Three women walking in an office setting

 

For more information on how you can implement good DEI practices in your company, please contact one of our team members.

Betty Marrow-Taylor
Chief Engagement Officer | Biography
betty.marrow-taylor@commerce.nc.gov

 

 

 

 

Catherine Rivera
Culture & Community Engagement Analyst
catherine.rivera@commerce.nc.gov

 

 

 

 

Mose Dorsey
Compliance Officer
mdorsey@commerce.nc.gov

 

 

 

 

Kelly Gamble
EEO Officer
kelly.gamble@commerce.nc.gov

The Office of Culture & Community Engagement — and Commerce overall — look forward to working with partners, both public and private, to achieve goals outlined within the state’s new First in Talent Economic Development Strategic Plan.

Equity is a key factor in job creation, workforce development and our state’s post-pandemic recovery. Together, we’ll work to ensure all North Carolinians reap the benefits of new investments and structural improvements. Collaborating with our partners statewide, we aim to improve the social determinants of health, like economic stability, environment, healthcare, and education, that may help or hinder an individual’s pathways to economic prosperity, as well as “…bolster a robust small business recovery, inclusive of opportunities for new entrepreneurs and women-and-minority owned firms,” which is one of the strategies identified in the First in Talent plan to prepare North Carolina businesses for success. 

Workers wearing high-visibility vests in a warehouse

 

The North Carolina Department of Commerce is committed to ensuring that all individuals, regardless of language proficiency, have access to its services and resources. Read the strategies that Commerce is implementing with its Language Access Plan.

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This page was last modified on 12/19/2024