It has become critical for businesses to have an effective diversity and inclusion (D&I) strategy in place, as reported in “Rising to the Challenge,” a feature in the March 2018 issue of The Oath: the Middle East Law Journal for Corporate. The article goes on to mention that it should be more than just a box-ticking exercise a diverse workforce in an inclusive work environment can reap long-term benefits for organisations. The results from a recent survey conducted in the UAE revealed an optimistic outlook—diversity is a “clear strategic priority” for more than half of UAE organisations.
The “UAE Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace Survey Report” was released at the Global Women in Leadership (WIL) Economic Forum in November 2018. Winston & Strawn commissioned YouGov to survey workplace D&I in the UAE. The survey aimed to gauge the respondents' attitudes and perceptions on the impact of D&I on their professional experiences and long-term careers. Over 1000 responses were elicited from men and women from various demographics and in full-time employment. The private sector was the dominant workplace type, employing 76% of those who took part.
Winston & Strawn’s Middle East Managing Partner Campbell Steedman and Partner Christopher Skipper spearheaded the project. The Oath sat down with them to talk about the findings and the state of workplace D&I in the region. They were joined by Marwa Al Siyabi, Rajwah Al Kuhaymi, and Sara Al Awadhi, associates at the firm. All are actively involved in promoting and implementing the firm’s D&I initiatives.
