Exploring the Impact of Gender-Inclusive DEI Initiatives on Work-Life Balance: A Study of Human Resources Practices in Ireland

Vempala, Jaanvi (2025) Exploring the Impact of Gender-Inclusive DEI Initiatives on Work-Life Balance: A Study of Human Resources Practices in Ireland. Masters thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.

Preview

PDF (Master of Arts) Download (968kB) | Preview

Abstract

With specific emphasis on its effects on work-life balance, the research analyzed the processes of implementing, apprehending, and successfulness of gender-inclusive Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies in Irish companies. The main objective was to research the programs currently being implemented by HR departments, gather the opinions of the employees, determine what is wrong with the implementation, and identify where policy and practice vary. The structured survey involved one hundred professionals from various industries. It was ascertained that companies possess gender-inclusive policies; still, individuals disagree about how effectively they operate and whether they are applied equally. None of the participants rated the capability of his or her organization to establish the rules on flexible work and maternity leave as one that can be rated as excellent, although the majority of the participants acknowledged that those policies could be considered to be available and equal to some level. At the same time, there was a perception among many people that having work work-life balance differed between them and other genders, and this indicates that the current policies may not be solving the causes of inequality.

Although several companies have on their part made efforts in promoting inclusion, real barriers to such efforts, as cited by staff members (44.4%), poor training (36.4%), and unclear policy directions (32.3%), are some of the reasons that would make these efforts hard to implement. Anyway, employees rated their business highly in terms of creating an inclusive environment in which individuals with different gender identities feel appreciated, which is promising in terms of further improvement. Although there have been some achievements in the DEI implementation, the study finds that Irish companies have a long way to go until their efforts become a reality, particularly the need to creating a fair opportunity to help people of all genders in achieving a balance between the professional and personal life.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Supervisors:	Name Email Delaney, Patrick UNSPECIFIED
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management > Human Resource Management > Diversity H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman > Gender H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management > Human Resource Management D History General and Old World > DA Great Britain > Ireland H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > Issues of Labour and Work > Quality of Work Life / Job Satisfaction
Divisions:	School of Business (- 2025) > Master of Arts in Human Resource Management
Depositing User:	Ciara O'Brien
Date Deposited:	09 Dec 2025 15:14
Last Modified:	09 Dec 2025 15:14
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/9026

Actions (login required)

View Item