Employee inclusion: the case of the cypriot workforce

Abstract

Organizations today are experiencing various changes in their workforce due to the diverse background of employees. Thus, it has become increasingly important to consider the inclusion of all the individuals in the workforce to avoid any biases, discrimination and marginalization of employees. This evolving nature of organizations is signalized by numerous types of diversity within the workforce, presenting challenges in managing inclusion. This research explores the concept of inclusion as a management paradigm that aims to foster an inclusive and cohesive workforce. It aims to provide empirical data on how inclusion is experienced and perceived by employees in Cyprus. This research focuses on the key drivers of inclusive climate initiatives, investigates inclusive HR practices and assesses how these factors influence the feeling of inclusion. This thesis aspires to offer insights into the level of inclusion that exist in Cyprus by investigating the current experiences of individuals that are employed in organizations that operate in Cyprus. Drawing on the sample of 131 participants working in Cyprus, this study finds significant gender and parental status disparities in perceived workplace inclusion. The analysis reveals that males generally report higher levels of inclusion across various dimensions including, individual, group/team, leadership, organizational training and organizational climate. Additionally, non-parents perceive higher inclusion levels than parents, indicating that parental responsibilities influence perceptions of inclusivity. Moreover, a further analysis was conducted to examine the interaction effect of gender and parental status on perceived inclusion. The results indicated no significant interaction, suggesting that the two factors independently affect the feeling of inclusion within the organization. Thus, the study underscores the importance of tailored organizational policies and practices, ensuring a more inclusive and equitable workplace for all employees.