Employees who identify with three or more dimensions of diversity — such as gender, race or sexuality — have a stronger sense of well-being at work (34 per cent) compared to those who don’t identify with any dimension of diversity (24 per cent), according to a new survey by consultancy Sidekick and advertising firm Humanity Agency.
However, the survey — which polled more than 1,500 Canadian employees — also found diverse respondents were less likely to feel as though they belonged at work (39 per cent), compared to those who don’t identify with a dimension of diversity (45 per cent).
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“The largest and overarching theme in the report had to do with marginalized Canadians deriving a high sense of well-being from work, even though many feel they don’t belong in these spaces,” said Ryan Hughes, vice-president and head of strategy at Humanity, in a press release. “Despite organizations becoming more vocal about social justice and taking public stances on systemic issues, the data in this report demonstrates a perceived disconnect between their external positioning and their internal policies.”
Employees who said their values align with those of their employer had a well-being score of 50 per cent, double the national average (24 per cent). Among various age groups, respondents aged 50 to 64 had the highest overall well-being score at 27 per cent, followed by those aged 25 to 34 and 35 to 49 (26 per cent each), those aged 18 to 24 (24 per cent) and those aged 65 and older (21 per cent)
A third (33 per cent) of respondents said their work doesn’t disrupt their personal life and just a quarter (26 per cent) called their employer-sponsored benefits and perks useful. Only 16 per cent said they believe they’re getting the recognition they deserve for their contributions.
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