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WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Black employees in the U.S. are significantly less likely than White employees to report seeing leaders of their own race in their organization, and that appears to matter in creating a healthy corporate culture. Specifically, Gallup finds that Black employees who experience this lack of diversity in their company's leadership are less likely to say their "organization is fair to everyone."
Black workers are also less likely than White workers to say that their organization would do what is right if they raised a concern about integrity or ethics. This is a problem for workplaces, given that Black employees are much more likely to report having experienced discrimination at work. Low perceptions of fairness and trust can result in Black employees' silence -- not reporting their experiences of mistreatment and discrimination.
The most recent discovery from the Gallup Center on Black Voices finds that Black employees who report having Black leaders in their organization are 12 times more likely to strongly agree that their concerns about ethics and integrity would be handled properly.
Given the impact of Black employees seeing Black leaders in their workplace, it is difficult to imagine a solution without first addressing the absence of Black leaders within organizations.
As we explore what is needed to improve the employee experience and create inclusive cultures, an attempt at more representative leadership is one key effort companies can make.
