The role of diversity practices and inclusion in promoting trust and employee engagement
Downey, Stephanie N., van der Werff, LisaORCID: 0000-0003-4529-4690, Thomas, Kecia M and Plaut, Victoria C.
(2014)
The role of diversity practices and inclusion in promoting trust and employee engagement.
Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 45
(1).
pp. 35-44.
ISSN 0021-9029
This paper investigates the association of diversity practices with an important aspect of workplace well-being, engagement. It was hypothesized that the association of diversity practices would be mediated by trust climate and that this mediation relationship would be stronger when employees experienced feelings of inclusion in the workplace. Using a sample of 4,597 health sector employees, results indicated that diversity practices are associated with a trusting climate that, in turn, is positively related to employee engagement. Furthermore, the relationship between diversity practices and trust climate was moderated by inclusion. Theoretical and practical implications of the study are discussed along with recommendations for future research.