Part 1: The concept of covering

Covering, or downplaying certain aspects of one’s identities, is widespread in today’s workplace. Today’s workers may cover in four distinct ways.
 

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Part 2: Covering in the workplace

The majority of our 3,000 respondents reported having engaged in covering in the workplace. While some groups reported incidents of covering more than others, covering was a common experience across the board.

Overall, they reported a perceived social expectations that involved managing aspects of their identity to fit into the mainstream. Individuals felt they had to manage their identities alongside their jobs.

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Part 3: The organizational impact of covering

The commitment to diversity and inclusion is now an almost universally held value in corporate America. In the survey, 93 percent of respondents stated that their organizations articulated inclusion as a value. However, only 78 percent of respondents felt their organizations lived up to those values. That is to say, about one-quarter of respondents felt their organizations were not walking the talk.

As the workforce continues to evolve, it’s important to understand that covering can negatively affect an individuals’ sense of self and diminish their commitment to their organizations.

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