Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the workplace is no longer just an aspirational vision. Today’s workforce is global, multigenerational, and as diverse as our world itself. Companies with robust DEI policies offer different perspectives, experiences, backgrounds, and skills, often getting an edge over the competition and improving their bottom line.
NTT DATA’s DEI ideology
NTT DATA pursues DEI as a business imperative that increases employee and client satisfaction, improves financial performance, and creates socially responsible outcomes. But more than that, DEI is an unquestionable part of its culture. Leaders place special importance on creating a workplace where all team members feel free to be their authentic selves and achieve their best through working with each other. NTT DATA unequivocally rejects racism or discrimination in any form and is committed to sustaining an equitable environment for employees, their families and society.
Strategies implemented by NTT DATA to create a holistic DEI program
NTT DATA began its journey in 2018 when the Office of Diversity and Inclusion was created, and the first Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer was appointed. The office’s goal in the first few years was to increase the global representation of women in the workforce, educate employees on unconscious bias, and formalize and expand the Employee Resource Group (ERG) program. Today there are eight active ERGs that provide a forum for employees with common backgrounds and interests to discuss issues and share ideas. These ERGs include:
- ACCESS: Creating awareness of the benefits of inclusion of persons with disabilities in the workforce
- LA CULTURA: Promoting the voices of the Latin American Community
- LIFT: Helping reduce the stigma around mental health through social connection, education, and peer support
- NEST: Driving awareness about our environmental footprint that transforms into fostering communities that promote sustainable behaviors
- PRIDE: Providing programs, opportunities, and support to promote an inclusive and equal experience for LGBTQ+ employees and allies
- THRIVE: Promoting the successful inclusion of Black people
- VET: Supporting the U.S. veterans by creating a community to serve those who have served our country
- WIN: Supporting and developing women and their leadership skills
They also partner with the Talent Acquisition team to build partnerships with colleges and universities and market opportunities through their diverse networks. NTT DATA has also launched a program – Career 2.0, an enabling initiative for professionals who have taken a career break to re-enter the workforce. This program caters not just to women but all professionals irrespective of their race, gender, disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected group.
AT NTT DATA, all Global Leadership Development programs are gender-balanced and represent various races, ethnicities, and global regions. Special emphasis is placed on regularly assessing DEI progress and sharing data with senior leadership and employees to promote transparency and accountability. Key metrics are reviewed quarterly, with an in-depth look semiannually, to track success and adjust the approach as needed. Leaders in the organization are also able to benchmark progress against the rest of the organization and industry.
The impact of DEI strategy on a global workforce
Every two years, NTT DATA conducts an anonymous survey of its global employee population to gather candid feedback on what the organization did well and what they could improve on. Our more recent survey saw the addition of questions targeting feedback on the DEI Office and programs to better assess its DEI efforts and initiatives. As a testament to the quality of the organization’s DEI focus and programs, questions intended to measure the company’s DEI impact received an 81% positive rating. These results are reflective of NTT DATA’s DEI programming positively impacting overall employee engagement and culture, with a 10-point increase over the previous survey.
A truly diverse workforce also means language barriers, cultural differences, and time zone hurdles. To tackle these challenges, NTT DATA conducts training sessions about the nuances of different cultures for all employees to increase empathy and understanding. Panel discussions and roundtables are also organized to encourage sharing among peers.
NTT DATA’s Inclusion Intelligence Certification — a three-tiered (Bronze, Silver, Gold), self-paced training program — ensures that employees understand the importance of modeling the values, actions, and decision-making to nurture a diverse and inclusive workplace.
“I am excited about the continued engagement we see in our DEI focused programs. Our Gold level certification, which is project based has resulted in efforts that have had an organizational impact,” said Terri Hatcher, Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer at NTT DATA Services.
NTT DATA’s DEI recognition
NTT DATA was named a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) in the U.S. and also in Mexico with the HRC Equidad MX. The organization received 100% on HRC’s Corporate Equality Index in recognition of its policies and practices to advance equality and inclusion for all team members and their families.
They were designated as a Top Employer by the India Workplace Equality Index (IWEI), with a silver designation for LGBTQ+ inclusion in India in 2022. This award acknowledges the organization’s efforts in promoting LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion, positioning them as an employer committed to fostering diversity and inclusion.
The organization was also recognized by Project Unity and the Women In IT Awards for its efforts in continuing to ensure a safe and respectful workplace for all employees, with the aim of unifying employees of all backgrounds, races, religions, orientations and identities.
NTT DATA’s Global Code of Business Conduct reflects and reinforces these core values, including policies that prohibit discrimination. Employees have the freedom to report any violations anonymously to the NTT DATA Ethics hotline. Also, the organization’s Employee Assistance Program offers counseling, work/life assistance, crisis intervention services, financial consultation, and other services to all its employees and members of their households.
NTT DATA actively demonstrates its unwavering commitment to DEI in these exciting and challenging times. Employing diverse tactics and garnering multiple awards, the company has established a high benchmark for others to adopt. The organization remains committed to putting people first and building a more diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace.
