Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Practice : A qualitative study exploring how implementation of DEI policy in an organisation shapes employee engagement.

Sammanfattning

This thesis explores how the implementation of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies shapes employee engagement, with a particular focus on the alignment between organizations' communicated DEI values and employees’ lived experiences. While DEI has become a prominent part of organizational branding and strategy, there remains a significant gap in understanding how these commitments are experienced internally and how they influence emotional investment, trust, and motivation among employees. Using a qualitative research design, eleven semi-structured interviews were conducted with employees and managers across three organizations in Sweden that have formally adopted DEI policies. Thematic analysis revealed six core themes, with particular emphasis on leadership commitment, organizational authenticity and psychological safety as key conditions influencing engagement. The findings show that employee engagement is not automatically achieved through policy but is deeply shaped by how inclusive practices are established on a day-to-day basis, where DEI was perceived as genuine and supported by leadership, employees reported stronger engagement. In contrast, when DEI efforts appeared symbolic or disconnected from workplace realities, trust and motivation declined. This study contributes to the growing discussion on DEI by centering employee perspectives and highlighting the emotional and relational aspects of engagement. It offers practical insights for organizations seeking to move beyond performative DEI and build more authentic, inclusive workplace cultures that foster long-term commitment and trust.