Are you a business owner or an HR professional interested in developing an inclusive workplace? How do you think business leaders can create and maintain it? Keep reading to discover ways to build a diverse work environment and achieve your business goals.
First of all, it’s important to mention the results of two recent studies on that subject. According to McKinsey & Company (2021), companies in the top quartile for racial and ethnic diversity are 35% more likely to have financial returns above their national industry average. On the other hand, a Deloitte (2021) study mentions that the more diverse and inclusive a company is, the more likely it is to see higher levels of employee engagement and productivity and foster innovation.
So, the question is: how can organizations create a diverse and inclusive workplace?
- Commit to workplace diversity and inclusion.
Your workforce can tell whether you, as an Employer, genuinely care about your employees. So, a very important first step is to define your company values and convey them to the management team. Support your people by being transparent about your company’s approach, establish specific policies and commit to them, and, of course, recognize your small or large wins.
- Be aware of the current conditions.
Does your company have employees from different social groups? What is your percentage of gender equality in the workplace (men/women/other)? Make this “self-assessment” to have a clear understanding about your workforce’s characteristics. - Be open to hiring diverse people.
Consider adding members who can increase workplace diversity, for instance, more women in positions that work mostly men, or people with disabilities (it’s mandatory to have the appropriate office infrastructure, such as accessible toilets in case employees must work at the office), or people of color. Be open to new ideas and perspectives: have you ever hosted an event to reach out to underrepresented groups to make your company more visible and accessible? Follow that step and bring more value to your organization addressing people from diverse backgrounds.
- Invest in training.
Provide training to your employees so that they are aligned with your company culture and create a diverse and inclusive workforce. This way, the members of your organization will develop the skills and knowledge needed to work effectively with people from various backgrounds. Some of the most common approaches are sensitive training, unconscious bias training, DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) workshops, and cross-cultural training.
Did you know that an HRMS can help you have an inclusive workplace? Providing inclusive employee benefits, regardless of color, gender, or religion, can support diversity, equity, and inclusion at work. HRMS can help companies manage salaries, benefits, and rewards, simplifying the entire compensation process. Take advantage of our HRMS 60-day free trial today, with easy set-up and without a credit card, and see the difference it can make in your HR operations and employee satisfaction.
If you’ve made it to this point, you must have already understood the significance of developing a diverse and inclusive workforce. It’s not a once-off process. It’s a never-ending journey. Trust your values, build your company culture, support your people no matter their background, and keep going.
