Diversity and Inclusion Essay Abstract

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Diversity and Inclusion Essay
1. Abstract
Today’s rapidly changing world is able to totally restructure the workforce, and employers face severe
challenges in workforce management. Diversity management has been a key issue among employers
in reaching sustainable growth, employee satisfaction, and retention, talent acquisition. The
importance of diversity management can be linked to long-term organizational strategies that will
enhance positive corporate reputation and development. However, the term ‘diversity’ can be
conceptualized differently and top executives today understand that an organization has to adapt.
The current paper observes and analyzes the Diversity and Inclusion statement of one of the most
famous cosmetic brands, L’Oréal, and proposes practical recommendations for improving the diversity
statement.
1. Introduction
The strategy that could enhance the world reputation of the brand L’Oréal.
L’Oréal is undoubtedly one of the best-known cosmetic brands all over the world offering a wide range
of products, both inexpensive and luxurious. The beauty brand was founded in 1909 by Eugene
Schueller, a young graduate of the chemistry faculty with great joy in entrepreneurship (L’Oréal, 2019),
and now has more than 63 million employees around the globe (D’Auzers, 2008). The company
spends a big part of its income on Research and Development, which is a ground reason the company
can be on the top of the list ahead of world-known cosmetic brands. The company is committed to
producing goods for people of ‘all walks’ (L’Oréal 2019) and to achieve it the company aims to create
a unique workplace where people of different ethnicity, social background, religion, gender, age, or
disability can feel to be treated with respect and valued.
2. Inclusivity and diversity
The beauty flagman speaks out the promotion of diversity and inclusivity within the company and
outside to be the core strategy for several years (L’Oréal, 2018). The diversity and inclusivity
campaigns of 2017 could greatly affect the company’s development by increasing sales.

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The company names its Diversity and Inclusivity statement as ‘People matter at L’Oréal’, which ideally
represents ground strategies and aims. The diversity and Inclusivity statement, which is last updated
in 2018, includes five subsections, i.e. Key figures, Strategy, Key examples, Top executive
endorsement, and Partners.
The strategy which is called ‘People matter at L’Oréal’ is comprised of three main directions of
diversity and inclusivity strategy, promoting more females in executive positions, welcoming people
with various backgrounds, and enabling talents with disabilities to show their skills.
The key figures subsection presents that the promotion of women in each level of management has
greatly improved in comparison to 2010, the share of female executives has increased by 10 percent,
and a more than 20 percent increase in the share of females in global brand management positions
(L’Oréal, 2019). Additionally, the gender pay gap has decreased dramatically over the past several
years from a 10 to 2 percent gap. Moreover, payable parental leave in France for females comprises
20 weeks and 6 weeks for other partners.
On the diversity statement landing page, a visitor is encouraged to watch a short video explaining how
they perceive diversity. This video, along with the videos, where top managers at L’Oréal share their
views on diversity and inclusion, is informative and impressive. Top executives discuss what diversity
represents in itself and its importance, and the implications of a diverse working team. At L’Oréal, it is
important to take into account the uniqueness of representatives of each race, ethnicity, nationality,
and culture. It is highlighted that a growing number of diversified groups of their consumers entails
understanding the needs of those customers, and thus not only the diverse workplace a social
responsibility but also important a key to business success.
On a separate Key examples page, a number of projects and initiatives implemented by the company
are presented. Initiatives related to fostering mental health among women and support for minority
groups, etc. These can be perceived as proof of the viability of the company’s diversity statement.
From the Diversity and Inclusivity report of L’Oréal, it is visible that the company pays high attention to
previous lessons taken from its experience and shows the strong commitment of top executives to
achieving a high level of diversity within the company.