Belonging – the feeling of acceptance, inclusion and connection – provides us with a sense of comfort, security and support.
EY’s Asia-Pacific Belonging Barometer 2022 demonstrates how a sense of belonging is also vital in the workplace, playing a critical role in the development of diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) policies.
The report – which explores the experiences of workers in large organisations in Australia, mainland China, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea – highlights the benefits of encouraging belonging in the workplace and provides practical solutions for employers.
A matter of retention
Fewer than half of employees in Asia Pacific enjoy a sense of belonging. By tackling this, organisations can improve retention and significantly reduce costs.
What it means to belong
Trust, respect and a connection to others through shared interests, skills and challenges define what it means to belong.
Diversity matters
Organisations with a diverse workforce are far more likely to benefit from a strong sense of belonging and retention among workers. 63% of respondents working in a diverse workforce felt a strong sense of belonging compared to 36% in a workplace that isn’t diverse.
Eliminate exclusion
Across Asia Pacific, employees reported that feeling excluded contributed to a feeling of not belonging. The research found that one-third of employees have felt excluded at their workplaces. Exclusion can come from a range of experiences, from dismissal of ideas and points of view to not feeling able to wear religious symbols or dress.
Six actions for leaders
The power of differences
‘Belonging is critical to unlocking the power of differences,’ says Holly McGhee, EY Asia-Pacific’s DE&I leader. ‘Businesses can address the impact of inequities and injustice, and push for progress within their organisations and beyond while also celebrating and recognising uniqueness.’
