It’s important to understand common diversity terms. Sometimes these words can have different meanings, which are based on someone’s upbringing and their personal life experiences. This is why having a glossary of terms is so important.
While this list is not comprehensive, it is meant to be a starting point for your learning. Here we will explore key DEI terms that will help you begin having productive discussions about these topics in the workplace.
Diversity Terms to Know
Diversity
In the United States, diversity and inclusion generally refer to the advancement of traditionally underrepresented groups, defined by race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and age. When companies speak about hiring or promoting diversity, they generally mean hiring or promoting more women, Blacks, Latinos, and Asians. Corporate diversity includes all these underrepresented groups and can include consideration of diversity of background, age, and class.
Inclusion
An increasingly popular glossary term, both in the United States and globally, inclusion is defined as including people from all groups. Diversity and inclusion, also often called D&I, have become increasingly popular terms in corporate America. This is the belief that it is a welcoming place for all identities, races, religions, and ethnicities. This means that it isn’t just tolerated, but valued and accepted.
Affirmative Action
Affirmative action is terminology based on the legal concept introduced in the 1960s to factor “race, color, religion, sex or national origin” in employment, education, and business to improve representation of underrepresented groups. In 2003, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the use of affirmative action in college admissions, but there have been several state and national challenges. The current Supreme Court deemed these programs unconstitutional in 2023.
Workplace Diversity
This is a common term for increased racial/ethnic/gender representation in a company’s entire workforce. Best practices show that increased workforce diversity is usually accomplished through demographic goals set by an executive diversity council, strong diversity recruitment efforts, and the use of employee resource groups and talent-development initiatives aimed at underrepresented groups.
Learning Diversity Terms Helps for Better Understanding
When you take the time to learn these important diversity, equity, and inclusion terms, you help your DEI program to improve. You also help create a culture of knowledge that encourages your staff to learn more too.
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FAQs
What are some terms for diversity?
These terms refer to the differences between people with respect to gender, age, class, ethnicity, physical and mental ability, sexual orientation, and race.
What are the 5 R’s associated with DEI?
The five Rs are representation, respectful relationships, real conversations, research, and results.
What is a good way to describe diversity?
Diversity refers to the range of people with different ethnic, racial, cultural, or socioeconomic backgrounds with different life experiences.