Diversity & inclusion in the workplace should be much more than a hollow promise or something that staff are reminded of every now and then. Actionable D&I commitments create a positive and accountable company culture, and have been proven by McKinsey to boost profitability.
Sticking to your promises can be tricky without an adequate plan in place: that’s why we’re here to help. Keep reading to find out just why diversity & inclusion is so important, and how to commit to it in the workplace.
The Importance Of Diversity & Inclusion
Whilst it is nothing new, there has been a lack of correlation between D&I training and an improvement in working conditions for underrepresented communities.
Without a serious commitment to diversity and inclusion, companies cannot expect to excel in terms of profit, innovation, and reputation.
A diverse and inclusive workplace means that employees all feel equal to one another and are confident in voicing their opinions, which in turn generates creativity and productivity. In contrast, a workplace that discriminates or is biased against certain employees will feel hostile and have a negative image.
A diverse and inclusive workplace means that employees all feel equal to one another and are confident in voicing their opinions...
4 Ways To Stick To Your Diversity & Inclusion Commitments
1. Engage In A Zero-Tolerance Policy
The only way to make all of your employees feel valued and safe at work is to enforce a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination.
This will mean that members of staff feel comfortable opening up about any harassment or bias that they have faced, as well as reduce the chances of this happening in the first place.
2. Introduce Measures Throughout The Company
Creating a diverse and inclusive workplace has to start at the top. This means that managers, hiring managers, and even CEOs, should be representative of different cultural and social backgrounds.
In turn, this will attract a diverse pool of potential candidates and make employees feel more comfortable at work.
3. Uncover Unconscious Bias
The majority of people would never think of themselves as being discriminatory, but will unknowingly exhibit unconscious bias. Unconscious bias is the presumption imposed onto certain groups of people in society, and can have very negative consequences in the workplace.
Setting up workshops to address this bias or asking employees to think about where their biases may lie is a great first step towards unlearning discriminatory behaviours.
4. Make D&I Measurable
Turning diversity & inclusion commitments from lofty promises to actionable steps is one of the best things a company can do for its employees and brand image.
Some ways that D&I can be measured include quarterly training courses with quizzes in between each session, setting inclusion goals, and ensuring that your employee pool is diverse.
Final Thoughts
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