Inclusion has become a key issue to increase profitability and business success.
According to McKinsey & Company, companies that include diversity as a key factor in their strategies have a 35% more likely of financial performance than those that do not. Following this premise, a Harvard Business Review study asserts that having a diverse workforce can increase the financial performance of a diverse workforce by up to 70% the possibility to capture new markets.
While there are many studies that support the impact of diversity in the workforce at all levels - social, economic and cultural - it is true that plurality in the workforce remains a challenge for traditional sectors.
A clear example of this can be seen in logistics and transport, activities historically linked to men, which have gradually opened up to the search for methods that help to alleviate the differences and inequalities present in this industry.
Obstacles to diversity in the logistics sector
Inclusion in logistics has been an issue that has gained prominence in recent years. Since its inception, this sector has been consolidated as an industry mainly occupied by men, presenting some barriers that hinder the change towards inclusion.
The first reason we find is the presence of stereotypes that are firmly rooted in the culture of these jobs. Women, for example, have been under-represented in the field, perpetuating ideals that hinder diversity and the attractiveness of the profession.
The second reason, linked to the first, is the lack of representation of these groups. The lack of role models and the hostile environment are two of the problems that most hinder the possibility of changing this reality.
Both of these fundamentals are the principles of greatest concern in the logistics area. The difficulty of introducing changes in a work culture, given the lack of inclusiveness, poses great challenges to achieve different results, despite the slight increase of women in this sector.
Addressing this situation on an ongoing basis requires companies to be open to new ideas and to reflect on the importance of having a professionally diverse workforce.
What can be done to increase diversity?
There are several strategies that can help us to increase inclusion in the logistics industry. We can divide them into 5 methodologies:
- Improvement of working conditions in particularly hard-hit areas.
- Reflect on the selection of employees, also involving more diverse profiles in order to break down stereotypes linked to certain positions. For example, in terms of internal training, women and minorities can be encouraged to enter certain technical professions.
- Promote and generate balanced conditions between work and personal life. In relation to the first point, ensuring that workers' private lives are not affected by work should be a fundamental requirement.
- Encourage skills development and training. In a context where it is becoming increasingly difficult to find professionals with the right skills for certain areas of employment, investing in this can not only favour diversity but also the profitability of the business by getting more qualified staff.
- Ensure that all individuals have equal opportunities to access the various jobs on offer, regardless of their field of activity. This ensures more possibilities for a more diverse workforce.
The importance of diversity in the logistics sector
Inclusion in the workplace is not only a social justice issue, but has become a key element for business. Several reports corroborate that introducing different profiles in the company has a positive impact on company performance.
For example, a study by ManpowerGroup states that 44% of LGTBQI+ people increase their productivity by feeling comfortable in their professional environment and being able to freely and publicly express their sexual orientation or gender identity. This is quite significant in terms of profitability and process optimisation.
In addition, having a diverse workforce can increase components such as innovation, creativity and problem solving, as different perspectives and experiences offer new and unique points of view.
In Side Logistics wants to participate in meeting these challenges, making employees feel comfortable and included is a key factor in the values that mark the company. For the company, promoting integration and breaking down stereotypes is a commitment to a better and more inclusive future, consolidating a much fairer, more positive and diverse working culture.
