DE&I is integral to establishing workplace well-being

After a year of conversation and commitment on diversity and inclusion, 2021 is the year when stakeholders will expect to see results.

With the increasing pressure to show progress on promises to fight systemic inequality and break down barriers in the workplace that hold back people of color, well-being and wellness advocates play a crucial role.

“It’s become imperative to look at well-being from a DE&I lens,” says Deepa MacPherson, global well-being manager for Nvidia. She was part of a panel to discuss the role of DE&I in workplace wellness initiatives for Ragan’s Workplace Wellness Virtual Conference on April 21.

“There are so many different challenges based on different backgrounds and experiences,” MacPherson adds, and she sees the work of the well-being officer as helping employees feel comfortable and secure in the workplace, regardless of where they come from. “We have to have the D&I lens to create the environment where everyone feel comfortable.”

Creating open conversation

When it comes to wellness, DE&I efforts can help to create a space where employees feel like they can bring their full selves to work and openly discuss issues that are affecting their lives.