Germany has the third-most inclusive workforce in the world, ranking just behind the USA and Canada. In 2021, the drive for better diversity and inclusion in the German workplace continues to grow.
More German Brands are Invested in Change
According to recent data, the number of businesses across Germany taking social responsibility and diversity matters seriously is growing.
- 62% of German employees say their company employs a diverse workforce.
- 47% say their company is investing more in diversity and inclusion now, compared to previous years.
- 44% believe their company should do more to increase diversity and inclusion at work.
Demand Surges
Between 2015 and 2020, online demand for diversity and inclusion in Germany grew by 200% as more people began to search for ways to create a more positive workplace experience. Areas with the highest interest in these topics include Berlin, Bavaria, Hesse and North Rhine-Westphalia.
According to online trends, demand for diversity managers has risen by 200% in the last five years, as more German brands look for skilled professionals to help them improve their inclusion strategies.
According to Glassdoor, German businesses in the education, government and manufacturing sectors currently have the most openings for diversity and inclusion-related roles.
The Advantages of Embracing Diversity
The surge in ‘belief-driven buying’ over the past few years shows us that more consumers choose to support brands with a conscience. Research shows that 69% of consumers are more likely to trust and support brands more committed to being involved in societal issues, such as diversity and inclusion.
Diversity in a company means employing people from various backgrounds of varying nationalities, races, religions, genders, age groups, abilities and sexual orientations. Inclusion means treating all employees with equal respect and providing equal access to opportunities in the workplace.
There is substantial research to support the benefits for companies that take steps to become more diverse. In fact, more than half of Europe’s employees say that working with people from diverse backgrounds contributes to their happiness at work. A happier workplace is a more productive (and ultimately more profitable) workplace.
Workers from various backgrounds bring a wider range of perspectives, ideas, and experiences to the table, which helps more diverse organisations outperform their competitors.
Workplace Diversity across Europe
In addition to Germany, a growing number of European organisations are declaring their commitment to better diversity and inclusion.
- 76% of organisations say that diversity and inclusion is a stated value or priority.
- 45% say the goal of better D&I is to attract and retain talent.
- 21% say the goal of better D&I is to achieve better business results (e.g. financial performance and innovation.
While these numbers are encouraging, it’s important to note that there is still a lot of room for growth and improvement. Currently, only a small percentage of diversity and inclusion programmes in European workplaces are reaching full maturity.
Growing Diversity in Commercial Real Estate
Commercial real estate has not been known for being a particularly diverse industry, but promising steps are being made. A 2020 benchmark study of the commercial real estate sector revealed that approximately 36.7% of all CRE professionals are women. This includes:
- 44% of asset management professionals,
- 29% of brokers, 34% of developers,
- 41% of finance professionals.
Women in the industry cited lack of promotion opportunity as their biggest barrier to success, followed by gender discrimination as the second-biggest obstacle.
There is still a lot of room for growth when it comes to diversity in the industry. Only 16% of CRE professionals describe their workplace as “very diverse”, with 25% or more of the professionals in their workplace being BIPOC, and 24% are “somewhat diverse”, with 15-25% BIPOC professionals employed at their workplace.
The good news is, 56% of respondents say they have noticed a shift towards better diversity, equity and inclusion within the commercial real estate industry.
Florian Kappes, Managing Director Germany & Global Account Director at The Instant Group, says, “some industries have made more progress than others when it comes to diversity and inclusion, but there’s still a tremendous amount of work to be done across the board. It is very encouraging to see so many countries setting higher benchmarks, but for progress to continue, we need to be having these conversations openly and honestly across our own businesses, and in our networks and communities, and listening to those who these issues impact the most.”
Four Tips for a More Diverse Company
Diversity at work is more than a trend – it’s a social responsibility with numerous benefits for business. Here’s how you can make your business more diverse and inclusive:
- Ensure you have a diverse pool of candidates when interviewing for positions at your organisation.
- Encourage conversations around diversity and look for ways to address a lack of diversity in your company.
- Work towards creating a workplace culture where people from all backgrounds feel comfortable and safe.
- Look for ways to partner with other companies that are known for diverse leadership.
A diverse and inclusive workplace benefits employers and employees alike. If the latest stats are anything to go by, we’re likely to see more and more companies in Europe following Germany’s example in the years to come.
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