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Mercer: Building the Modern Phase of Diversity and Inclusion

Pat Tomlinson

President & CEO


“Mercer understands that achieving diversity and inclusion is not a one-time initiative; it requires ongoing commitment and continuous improvement.”

Companies around the globe are recognizing that fostering an inclusive environment, where individuals from diverse backgrounds feel valued and empowered, is key to driving innovation, enhancing productivity, and gaining a competitive edge. As organizations strive to create workplaces that reflect the diversity of the societies in which they operate, the need for robust diversity and inclusion strategies has never been more urgent. Mercer, a global leader in human resources consulting, has long understood the importance of diversity and inclusion in building a thriving workforce. With a presence in over 40 countries, Mercer has positioned itself at the forefront of helping companies around the world design and implement effective D&I programs. Through a comprehensive range of services and solutions, Mercer is playing a pivotal role in transforming corporate cultures to be more inclusive, equitable, and representative of the diverse talent that drives today’s economy. The need for diversity and inclusion has become increasingly evident as businesses navigate the complexities of globalization, technological advancements, and shifting societal expectations. Companies that prioritize D&I are better positioned to attract top talent, foster creativity, and adapt to changing market conditions. A diverse workforce brings a variety of perspectives, experiences, and ideas, which can lead to more innovative solutions and better decision-making. Moreover, inclusive workplaces tend to have higher levels of employee engagement, satisfaction, and retention, as individuals feel valued and empowered to contribute their unique strengths.

However, achieving true diversity and inclusion requires more than just hiring individuals from different backgrounds. It requires creating an environment where all employees, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, or other characteristics, have equal access to opportunities and are treated with respect. This is where Mercer’s expertise comes into play. The company’s D&I services are designed to help organizations build inclusive cultures that not only reflect the diversity of their workforce but also enable all employees to thrive. Mercer’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is deeply embedded in its mission to improve the lives of people and organizations through innovative solutions. With decades of experience in human resources consulting, Mercer understands that a one-size-fits-all approach to D&I simply doesn’t work. Every organization is unique, with its own challenges, goals, and cultural nuances. As such, Mercer takes a tailored approach to D&I, working closely with clients to develop strategies that align with their specific needs and business objectives.

At the heart of Mercer’s D&I services is the belief that diversity and inclusion are critical to long-term business success. Mercer’s research has consistently shown that companies with diverse leadership teams are more likely to outperform their less diverse counterparts. In fact, Mercer’s “When Women Thrive” report highlights the significant impact that gender diversity, in particular, has on business performance. The report found that organizations with greater gender diversity at all levels are more innovative, have higher employee engagement, and experience stronger financial outcomes.

Tailored Diversity and Inclusion Strategies

Mercer’s diversity and inclusion services are built on a foundation of data-driven insights and best practices. The company offers a range of solutions designed to help organizations assess their current D&I efforts, identify areas for improvement, and implement strategies that drive meaningful change. One of Mercer’s key offerings is its diversity diagnostics, which provide organizations with a comprehensive analysis of their workforce composition, pay equity, and representation gaps. By leveraging data and analytics, Mercer helps companies gain a deeper understanding of their D&I challenges and opportunities, enabling them to make informed decisions about their future strategies. In addition to diagnostics, Mercer offers a suite of D&I solutions focused on fostering inclusive leadership, building diverse talent pipelines, and promoting equitable pay practices. Mercer’s Inclusive Leadership Training equips managers and leaders with the skills they need to create inclusive environments where all employees feel respected and valued. This training covers topics such as unconscious bias, inclusive communication, and allyship, providing leaders with practical tools to foster a culture of inclusion within their teams.

Mercer also helps organizations build diverse talent pipelines through its recruitment and talent management solutions. By implementing targeted recruitment strategies, Mercer enables companies to attract candidates from underrepresented groups and build a workforce that reflects the diversity of their customer base and society at large. Additionally, Mercer’s talent management solutions focus on creating equitable career development opportunities, ensuring that all employees have access to the resources and support they need to succeed.

Promoting Pay Equity and Fairness

One of the most significant barriers to achieving true inclusion is pay inequity. Despite progress in recent years, pay gaps based on gender, race, and other factors continue to persist in many industries. Mercer is a leader in promoting pay equity and helping organizations address these disparities. Through its comprehensive pay equity analyses, Mercer works with companies to identify and address pay gaps, ensuring that employees are compensated fairly for their work regardless of their background. Mercer’s pay equity solutions go beyond simply identifying disparities; they also provide organizations with actionable insights and recommendations for closing pay gaps and maintaining equitable pay practices over time. By addressing pay inequities, companies can build trust with their employees, enhance their employer brand, and create a more inclusive and equitable workplace.

Measuring Impact and Driving Sustainable Change

Mercer understands that achieving diversity and inclusion is not a one-time initiative; it requires ongoing commitment and continuous improvement. To help organizations measure the impact of their D&I efforts, Mercer offers a range of metrics and reporting tools that track progress over time. These tools enable companies to monitor key D&I indicators such as workforce representation, employee engagement, and pay equity, providing valuable insights into the effectiveness of their strategies. Moreover, Mercer recognizes that sustainable change requires a holistic approach that involves all levels of an organization. To this end, the company emphasizes the importance of engaging senior leadership in D&I efforts and creating a culture of accountability. By aligning D&I goals with broader business objectives, Mercer helps organizations embed diversity and inclusion into their core values and decision-making processes.

The Future of Diversity and Inclusion

As the world of work continues to evolve, so too will the challenges and opportunities related to diversity and inclusion. The rise of remote and hybrid work models, for example, presents both new opportunities for inclusion and new challenges in maintaining an inclusive culture. Mercer is at the forefront of helping organizations navigate these changes and adapt their D&I strategies to the future of work. Looking ahead, Mercer is committed to advancing diversity and inclusion on a global scale. The company’s ongoing research, thought leadership, and partnerships with industry leaders will continue to shape the future of D&I, ensuring that organizations are equipped to create workplaces that are not only diverse but also truly inclusive. In a world where diversity and inclusion are increasingly recognized as drivers of business success, Mercer is leading the way in helping organizations create more inclusive, equitable, and thriving workplaces. Through its data-driven insights, tailored solutions, and commitment to pay equity, Mercer is empowering companies to build diverse talent pipelines, foster inclusive leadership, and promote fairness across all levels of the organization.