Ergonomics and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Diverse, equitable, and inclusive (DEI) workplaces foster a sense of belonging and support for all employees, helping them feel like integral parts of the team. Yet, many organizations underestimate the significance of ergonomics in creating such environments and fail to recognize how their ergonomics practices promote DEI and improve workplace culture. Why should ergonomics professionals and practitioners pay attention to DEI, and how can DEI professionals and advocates benefit from understanding ergonomics?

This book investigates the symbiotic links between ergonomics and DEI and how workplaces and work practices can be improved through a better understanding of both. This book reveals how to utilize DEI strategies to improve ergonomics and human factors efforts, and how professionals, in turn, can apply their expertise to improve DEI strategies. This book also serves as a resource for those looking for tangible ideas to expand their DEI efforts through the practical utilization of ergonomics, complete with real-world examples. It offers perspectives and practical advice from ergonomics and DEI experts on elements of sustainable ergonomics processes, elements of a successful corporate DEI strategy, and how to combine the two to create a partnership that will improve workspaces, business strategies, and the quality of life for employees and/or end users of products and services designed by engineers. Featuring guidance and discussion points related to how critical diversity is to successful ergonomics programs, this book delivers ergonomics principles that can be used to promote inclusive design and how to enhance and showcase the value of ergonomics to businesses via incorporation with corporate DEI strategies and vice versa.

Ergonomics and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Theory and Practice will be a valuable reference for professionals and practitioners in ergonomics and human factors, business and management, human resource management, industrial and systems engineering, mechanical engineering, and computer science engineering and for those seeking contemporary guidance to inform their DEI policies and practices.