In the last few years, employers all over the world have made conscious efforts to diversify their workforce and make the workplace more inclusive. However, they have also struggled to design and implement truly diverse and inclusive workplace policies. And if the results of a recent study are anything to go by, Asian companies are far less open, inclusive, and diverse than their global peers.

Thomson Reuters recently released the Global Diversity & Inclusion Index 2018 to identify the 100 most diverse and inclusive companies globally. In its third year, the index evaluated more than 7,000 publicly-listed organisations on diversity, inclusion, news and controversy, and people development. These four factors further consisted of 24 constituents, some of which are board gender diversity, women employees, diversity objectives, flexible working hours, diversity and opportunity controversies, employees with disability, employee satisfaction, and career development process.

The index is “designed on the hypothesis that companies tracking, reporting, and achieving on measures of diversity, inclusion and people development will offer better performance over time than those achieving lower scores, or not tracking these measures.” After a comprehensive analysis, the top 100 most diverse and inclusive organisations were indexed. In the 2018 edition of the index, 52 new companies made it to the list, 17 managed to rank for the second time, and another 12 were able to reclaim their lost spot.

Here are the top 20 companies on the Thomson Reuters Global Diversity and Inclusion Index 2018:

Although not a single Asian company made it to the top 20, the following were a part of the top 100:

The fact that only 15 of the top 100 most diverse and inclusive organisations in the world are based in Asia is indicative of the ground that is yet to be covered. As the workforce continues to evolve and disruptive business environments reshape business models and strategies, employers need to urgently identify the benefits of a diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace. Talent acquisition and recruitment trends suggest that the scouting for the right talent isn’t going to simplify anytime soon. In such a situation, widening the net and expanding the pool to be as inclusive and innovative as possible is key to maintain a competitive edge.

Employers, leaders, and managers need to take a cue from the companies that made it to the index and emulate proven policies and strategies in the context of their company. Asian countries have proven to be economic powerhouses and produced world-class MNCs, but are yet to fully tap into the potentials of a diverse workforce. This can prove to be a moment of reckoning and course-correction, thereby, helping Asian organisations tackle talent challenges and become future-ready.