Diversity measuring tool launched

Performance Through Inclusion, which currently provides diversity training and consultancy support for some of the UKís largest organisations including the NHS and the Royal Mail, launched its InclusionIndexô to help HR Directors within both the public and private sector clearly understand their own organisationís particular issues regarding diversity and inclusion, while also enabling them to maximise their training budgets.

The newly launched Index can be used online or offline, and uncovers the extent to which different groups in the organisation feel included or excluded by examining practices and behaviours in four core areas; leadership, culture, values and dialogue. The system produces a report for the entire organisation, as well as a series of breakdowns based on gender, ethnicity, religion, disability, age, sexual orientation or seniority to illustrate what the key issues, strengths and weaknesses are.

The tool has been developed in conjunction with a team of leading global professionals in the fields of diversity and HR, as well as occupational psychologists at the University of Hertfordshire who provide the psychometric and statistical analysis of the data.

In addition to the InclusionIndexô, Performance Through Inclusion has also launched InclusionAuditô. This tool asks organisations a series of questions so that they can understand the extent to which they are adopting inclusive people practices that value all employees.

Dr. Mark Slaski, from the University of Hertfordshire, said: ìThe Inclusion Index and Audit has been developed from an academically researched model of organisational Diversity & Inclusion. It has been designed to be user-friendly and accessible, and is constructed through rigorous testing.

ìIn using this tool, managers will be able to gain a greater understanding of their own organisational issues around Diversity & Inclusion. Findings will clearly point to areas of organisational development and change. In addition, the instrument will benchmark against other organisations, and provide metrics by which to set objectives and measure improvements.

ìEvery organisation will have a responsibility to demonstrate high standards of diversity and inclusion. The Inclusion Index and Audit will prove invaluable in achieving these aims.î

Tony Burnett, managing director at Performance Through Inclusion, said: ìThough the business case for diversity differs hugely between the public and private sectors, the need is essentially the same. Diversity and inclusion are massive issues, but HR departments have no way to measure diversity and inclusion levels, detect their key issues, or analyse whether current policies are having the desired effect.

ìThe InclusionIndex enables organisations to clearly see how inclusive they are and more importantly, develop programmes that allow people within the organisation to prosper and progress irrespective of race, colour, gender, physical ability, age, religion, sexual orientation, education, personality type or belief.

ìThe Index will enable organisations to truly appreciate their current situation, and assess their training needs before they start pouring millions of pounds down the drain.î

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