Belonging refers to our individual sense of being accepted for who we are (not in spite of it), which results in the personal feeling that you are accepted, welcome and are a valued member of a team, group or environment. True “belonging” should never be as a result of having to hide elements of yourself or information about your identity (see Covering), background or culture, or having to conform to prescribed behaviours or expectations in order to “fit-in”.
As such, belonging is seen as the outcome of a truly diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace, where individual identities and differences are accepted, and where people are valued for being their genuine or authentic selves.
