What is the business cost of delaying action on diversity, equity and inclusion?
For business leaders, inaction is not neutral. A policy without execution creates exposure. A practice without accountability drains time, credibility and resources. A procedure without measurable outcomes leaves organizations unable to see where risk is building or where performance is falling short.
In 2021 the International Standard Organization (ISO) released its international standard for Diversity and Inclusion: ISO-30415:DISM (Diversity & Inclusion Services Management). This company-wide framework provides guidance on diversity and inclusion for organizations, including their governance body, human resources, product development, supplier diversity and other constituents.
ISO-30415:DISM is consistent with:
- The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on 10 December 1948 (General Assembly resolution 217 A) as a common standard of achievements for all peoples and all nations.
- The International Labor Organization’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, adopted in 1998 and amended in 2022
- The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) “that make it illegal to discriminate against a job applicant or an employee because of the person’s race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and related conditions, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.
- United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: (5) Gender Equality, (8) Decent Work and Economic Growth and (10) Reduced Inequality.
ISO 30415: DISM supports cross-functional inclusion across the HR life cycle, products and services, supply chain and external relationships. It does not replace the work already underway; it gives leadership the governance, ownership and discipline needed to make that work scalable, sustainable and tied to business outcomes.
ISO 30415: DISM is risk reduction at scale
- Talent risks: Top candidates and employees judge employers by action, not intent. Without clear ownership and review, organizations lose talent and weaken leadership pipelines.
- Financial risks: Customers, partners, and investors expect fair representation and service. When inclusion is not embedded, growth slows and costs rise.
- Legal risks: Inconsistent practices increase exposure to complaints, claims and investigations. Standardized policies and audits help reduce that risk early.
- Reputational risks: Trust erodes when leadership messaging does not match lived experience. Without visible progress, credibility drops with employees, customers and communities.
ISO-30415:DISM is an umbrella
- Consistency and comparability (standard-based approach)
- Governance and accountability (not just programming)
- Evidence and measurability (not just intentions)
- Effective feedback mechanisms (accountability)
- Continual improvement (not one-time assessments)
The result: a 5-point plan targeting the 5 greatest risk areas.
Are you looking for strategy beyond training?
- Have you conducted bias training and are not sure of the results?
- Do you have employee resource groups with a lack of focus or mixed results?
- Do you have position statements without measurements attached?
Learn more about how the ISO-30415:DISM can:
- Identify roles and responsibilities that would be accountable for achieving D&I outcomes.
- Identify outcomes of leveraging diversity through inclusion, increased workforce engagement, creativity, innovation, productivity and retention
- Identify actions which can lead to the desired outcomes
- Identify measures for assessing the effectiveness of the actions to address risks, opportunities, impacts and outcomes.
Have you already competed a Spectra Assessment?
- Do you want to fold your existing DEI work into the ISO-30415:DISM standards?
- Do you need to add sustainability to your current efforts?
- Are you concerned about risk due to Executive Orders and government oversight?
As a former Spectra Assessment client, you can claim your discount and put ISO-30415:DISM to work for sustainability and risk mitigation.
Lower your risk: increase your inclusion results
Complete the inquiry form so Spectra Diversity can prepare your custom pricing.