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What is DIEB?

Create change in the workplace by investing in Diversity, Inclusion, Equity, and Belonging initiatives.

What is DIEB?

DIEB stands for Diversity, Inclusion, Equity, and Belonging. All are important qualities that employers and HR must invest in at work to promote safety, security, and comfort for all their employees. While equity is simply defined as being fair and impartial, the relationship between the other terms can best be summed up with this metaphor: "Diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance; belonging is dancing like no one is watching."

Let's break this down into further detail.


Encompasses all the ways in people can differ from one another, whether that is gender, race, disability, religion, sexual orientation, and/or any other factors.


Means that the voices and perspectives of all individuals will be heard and accepted.


Equity may be the most key component in all of this. While it may be easy to think if you treat everyone the same you will have equity in the workplace, that’s not necessarily true. Equity asks us to acknowledge that everyone comes from different backgrounds and have different needs. So, what may work for one person may not work for another. To have an equitable workplace, you must make sure everyone's needs are meet and your employees feel safe, so they can best do their jobs.


The act of creating safe environments, where each person has the freedom and comfortability to express their individuality without fear of backlash, bullying, or threats. To learn more about the importance of belonging check out our guide, Belonging: The Next Step.

The Importance of DIEB

Investing in DIEB initiatives is extremely important. The first benefit is that employees who feel like they belong and can be themselves are simply more engaged. When employee engagement is high your people are more productive, provide better customer service, and your employer brand becomes more attractive to job applicants. DIEB also encourages employees to feel comfortable speaking up with their own new ideas (or opposing existing ones) without fear of reprisal.

Additional Resources

The Way Forward

HR expert Laurie Ruettimann discusses the return to work in a post-COVID world and the important emphasis employers need to place on DIEB initiatives.

Taking Action to End Racial Injustice

Our blog article discusses different ways you can take action at work expand growth and learning in the workplace.