The Contented and the Disconnected : a Tale of Different Cultures: how public servants understand diversity in the Department of Environment and Energy

This report presents the findings from an assessment of the quality of the organisational culture in the Department of Environment and Energy which was conducted in 2017.1 Its purpose is to ensure that the Department possesses the values, policies and processes necessary to maintain and benefit from a diverse and inclusive workforce. The assessment involved three main components of research: a) an evaluation of the current state of diversity and inclusivity in the workforce; b) identification of the threats and opportunities for improving diversity and inclusivity in the workforce including biases that exist, enablers and barriers to inclusion; and c), the development of a case for strengthening diversity, inclusion and leadership capability. In sum, an evidence base is generated that allows us to evaluate the inclusiveness of the Department’s culture. The findings provide the Department with an enhanced understanding of how successful it is both in supporting the career aspirations of its employees from diverse backgrounds and enhancing individual and organisational wellbeing.