Global Call: Embrace Demographic Diversity, Said 27.42%

Demographic diversity in workplaces is necessary. Authorities in the UAE have introduced a demographic diversity quota for companies hiring foreign workers. For companies with a large proportion of expat employees of the same nationality, this can create difficulties when attempting to secure work visas for new hires from the same country.

A survey conducted on Real Research, an online survey app, indicates that 54.48% were completely aware of the term “demographic diversity” and 27.84% were vaguely aware. 9.14% were completely unaware, and 8.54% were somewhat aware.

Highlights:

• 60.60% support the UAE’s new “Workforce Planning Policy.”
• The new policy could likely have unintended consequences, such as increasing business costs, said 46.06%
• 55.20% think the new policy will affect the diversity of talent available in the UAE workforce. 

Survey On Demographic Diversity In Workplace

Demographic diversity in workplace refers to the differences among employees in various forms, including nationality, ethnicity, and race. 49.78% said organizations across the globe should probably adopt a culture of demographic diversity in their workforce, and 27.42% think they should absolutely do so.

In addition, 60.60% support the UAE’s adoption of a new workforce planning policy, and 39.40% oppose this move.

Culture of Demographic Diversity

The UAE visa processing authorities have confirmed that companies hiring foreign workers must aim to build a diverse workforce where no single foreign nationality comprises more than 20%. 48.20% find this quota somewhat justifiable. 41.56% find this quota extremely justifiable, and 8.24% find it somewhat unjustifiable. 2.00% find the quota extremely unjustifiable.

50.76% believe mandatory diversity programs might breed resentment, hindering genuine inclusivity at work. 22.82% said compulsory diversity programs absolutely will not impede the authentic promotion of inclusivity in the workplace, and 22.16% said probably not. 4.26% absolutely agree with this sentiment.

Why is Demographic Diversity in Workplace Important?

The UAE wants demographic diversity in its workforce. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation stated that with this policy, they aim to “develop the market’s business environment without violating the employer’s freedom to choose the talents and competencies they wish to employ.’’

55.20% said the new policy will significantly increase the diversity of talent available in the UAE workforce. 36.76% said it will moderately increase the diversity of talent available in the UAE workforce. 6.22% said the policy will have little impact on talent diversity, and 1.82% said it will have no impact.

Furthermore, 46.06% of the respondents think it is highly likely that this policy could have unintended consequences, such as increasing business costs, and 43.48% think it is somewhat likely. 8.66% think it is somewhat unlikely, and 1.80% think it is somewhat unlikely.