Tips for Incorporating Inclusivity and Diversity in the Workplace
What if the rainbow is not made with commingled colors of 8 but just a monotonous color of yellow or red or just black? That rainbow may not seem attractive and elfin to snap the photos immediately when it appears. The same goes for the workplace as well. A monotonous workplace with the same people with the same background, same creed, or same perspectives may make the workplace quite drudging. Usually, 9-5 work with the same patterns, and the same conversations may be quite boring as well. When there are diverse people with diverse backgrounds, personalities, and perspectives, the workplace sounds more colorful than a monochromatic one. A workplace that accepts diversity as its core value knocks on the door to several opportunities that benefit all stakeholders.
Diversity refers to the term that includes multiple and diverse backgrounds in terms of race, religion, gender, nationality, sexual orientation, and many more. The diversity of people indicates diverse thoughts, perspectives, and actions. Embracing a diverse workforce may be a core value of an organization as a prioritized mission but the next step is a very important one i.e. inclusivity if diversity is regarded as one of the main agendas in a company then creating a culture where people from diverse backgrounds should be included is the major concern. Workplace diversity becomes more welcoming when an inclusivity initiative is taken. We have already discussed DEI in our previous blog. Click here to find out more.
Diversity and Inclusion have been the trending and significant topics within the organization. If we anatomize organizational studies, people belonging to different castes, creeds, originality, and other diverse sectors work within a single organization. Welcoming people from diverse backgrounds is not just enough, making them included is also eventful. The Deloitte reports have stated that inclusive workforces are 6x as likely to be good in innovation and such organizations have 2-3x the cash flow per employee over a non-inclusive workforce in a tenure of 3 years. When companies embrace diverse and inclusive workforce including DEI and B (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belongingness) initiatives, a strong company culture is formed with improved employee performance. The pros of incorporating inclusivity and diversity in the workforce include:
i) Increased better employee performance
ii) Enhanced innovation and creativity
iii) Better organizational decision-making
iv) Benefits of higher revenue
v) Higher Job Acceptance Rates
vi) Fair treatment within the organization
vii) Employee Engagement and more
Tips for Incorporating Inclusivity and Diversity in the Workplace
D and I initiatives not only bring diverse viewpoints and perspectives under a single roof but they also promote innovative factors. The organizations are keenly working towards incorporating D and I actions in the workplace. We are going to discuss some of the tips for incorporating diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. Let’s delve into the TIPS:
1. Actions undertaken by C-suite team
The top or senior-level management can do a lot in incorporating diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. Their speaking command on diversity and inclusion can make a lot of difference in the workplace. Also, there should be a diverse top management team that comes from different ethnic diversities, religious backgrounds, and more. The mid or lower-level employees can also persuade the top-level executives to address the D and I actions such as attracting diverse talent in job vacancies, organizing fellowship programs in the organization, and many more.
2. Adopt the DEI model
Welcoming the diverse talents in the workplace is not a final synopsis of the initiative. Inclusion is the key to securing and maintaining workforce diversity. The values, opinions, and perspectives of the employees should be welcomed and respected. They should be free to present themselves amongst the group and stand on their feet with dignity. Adopting inclusivity with equity in the workplace is a DEI model that can be practiced at the workplace where the presence, opinions, contributions, and voices of different backgrounds and experiences are valued and integrated into the workplace environment. The ‘Open Door Policy’ of hearing and co-opting diverse and inclusive workplace opinions should be stimulated.
3. Nurture and engaging company culture
What’s one of the main reasons for a higher employee turnover rate? One main reason is the non-appreciation of their values and identity. In current trends, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belongingness are also to be included along with Diversity and Inclusion. Employees should feel the belongingness and connectedness towards the work culture. For eg.: organizing Teej programs, celebrating Eid, and playing Deusi Bhailo, such programs makes the workplace more engaging as not only the people from the same community enjoy it but also the participation of the whole workforce makes the environment more interactive. Apart from organizing such programs, the communication channels should also be integrated into a single platform so that the workforce working physically at the workplace or in remote or hybrid work models can communicate with all colleagues effectively.
4. Acknowledge and welcome multilingual, multi-religious, and cultural practices
As mentioned earlier, engaging activities that benefit engagement and productivity can be introduced in the workplace. Day offs during Christmas, Biryani treats during Eid festivals, dance programs, etc can be practiced. Also, the multilingual workforce may inspire other workforce to learn other languages. The translation services can be made available to ease the colleagues for the understanding of the organizational tasks. When employees perceive the organization being brought off diversity and inclusion practices, they become more connected to the organization dedicating 100% efforts towards organizational goals and mission.
5. Foster a multigenerational workforce
Not only youth work in an organization but the experienced generation too. The multigenerational workforce also indicates diversity in the organization where millennials, Gen Z, and other gap groups work under a single roof. Millennials and Gen Z may have plenty of information on technology whereas Baby Boomers and Generation X may have more experiences than their younger counterparts. The workforce when combining their new and experienced ideas combinedly, creates an engaging environment that leads to innovative and creative surroundings in the organization. Such diverse perspectives help to bring out productive results in the organization.
BONUS TIPS:
1. Eliminate bias in the hiring process and promotional procedures. Say NO to favoritism and nepotism.
2. Conduct employee engagement surveys on the DEI initiatives and gather feedback regarding suggestions, complaints, or shellackings of the Diversity and Inclusion practices
3. Customize the one-on-one discussions and welcome the ideas of a diverse workforce
4. Create safe spaces for the workforce such as gender-neutral restrooms for non-binary and queer gender
5. Organize timely events and programs by customizing the calendar based on the working workforce
6. Initiate Rewards and Recognition programs for the deserved staff, practice appreciation and honor for the contributing members
7. If possible, insert pronouns in the email signature such as she/her, they/them, or he/him
8. Value every staff despite the minority groups, creed, religion and respect their culture
Diversity and Inclusion are being promoted by every organization as the global world has become a small village and a diverse workforce works in organizations with various backgrounds. The identity of a productive employee is defined by their deeds, not their background. Anti-discriminatory policies should be adopted and harassment, teasing, or creating turmoil should be strictly prohibited. Everyone’s values, cultures, and language should be respected. Diversity when adopted inclusive practice can only reap the rewards of employee retention, higher employee engagement, and organizational growth and productivity.
