The past two years have seen some of the biggest changes to the workplace that we have ever experienced. These changes have impacted everything from the way we work to the focus within organisations.

Early in the pandemic, research by I4CP found that 27% of organisations had put all or most of their D&I initiatives on hold as a result of COVID-19. But as we adapt and the future looks brighter, focus is rightly returning to diversity and inclusion.

Here's why that matters:

• There’s never been more of a spotlight on this topic: from Black Lives Matter to increasing conversations about representation and diversity, in order to remain current and competitive organisations need to focus on D&I.
• And it’s never been more public: companies like Glassdoor are adding D&I metrics to their reporting so this information will now be more visible. 72% of people say it’s a consideration when choosing an employer, so it’s important for organisations to get it right.
• COVID-19 has impacted businesses and changed policies, which is having an impact on diversity: organisations need to ensure any changes meet the needs of the whole workforce and don’t marginalise specific groups.
• A diverse workforce has a significant positive impact: from employer brand perception to improvements in the bottom line, organisations who focus on D&I now will reap the rewards moving forwards.

Our guide looks at the current trends, the challenges facing organisations and how to improve D&I in your business.