Dutch employers lag on attitudes to diversity, survey shows

Dutch companies consider equality, diversity and inclusivity to be important in the workplace, but primarily for the well-being of employees rather than its positive impact on corporate success, according to a survey of 2,200 companies across 14 European countries.

In total 38% of the respondents said they expected diverse teams to be more innovative and 37% said that investing in equality and diversity measures would lead to better business results.

In the Netherlands, however, just 23% said they expected diversity would lead to more innovation and 19% said it would boost business performance.

‘Strengthening equality, diversity and inclusion is a prerequisite for success and growth,’ said Henry Barenholz, the Netherlands country manager for HR software company Workday, which carried out the survey.

‘We also know that you don’t achieve that overnight. The results of this study show, for example, that in 60% of Dutch companies the management considers equality and diversity to be important, compared with 80% in Spain, Denmark, Italy and Germany.’

The survey also showed 21% of Dutch respondents see diversity as a source of conflict and polarisation.