Having a diverse workforce can provide you with a number of benefits. It introduces varying perspectives into the environment and can lead to increased innovation. Your staff may have a wider range of skills and experiences, allowing them to collectively bring more to the table. In some cases, your talent pool may even grow, especially if you encourage employee referrals. However, if you want to maintain a diverse team, you need an environment that feels inclusive.
Inclusivity can make your staff feel more comfortable and happy in the workplace. It allows your team to experience an increased level of confidence while also improving morale and overall productivity.
While creating a more inclusive work environment may sound difficult, it doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Here are three tips that can help you get started today.
1. Create an Accessible Workplace
Accessibility can mean a few things when it comes to a workplace. First, it can be incredibly physical, such as making it easier for individuals with disabilities to enter and move through the environment physically. Second, it can refer to barriers that prevent diverse candidates from applying or being selected for jobs.
If you want to be inclusive, you need to make sure your workplace is accessible. Make changes to the environment that allow those with disabilities to navigate the space more effectively and work with greater ease. Adjust your hiring practices to eliminate conscious or unconscious bias.
For example, forgo terms like “ninja” or “guru” in your vacancy announcements, as these may be viewed as culturally insensitive. Avoid gender-specific language to make everyone feel welcome. You may also need to train managers in how to avoid bias when they make hiring decisions, particularly since unconscious bias isn’t always easily noticed unless it is brought to their attention.
2. Use Active Intervention
When you want to create an inclusive work environment, you need to actively fight discrimination. This can include providing every worker with diversity training, ensuring they have the knowledge and skills to identify and speak up against discrimination or to avoid taking part in it themselves.
Similarly, your workforce needs to know what steps they can take to handle situations that may be discriminatory. For example, telling them who they can turn to for assistance or providing them techniques that can help them intervene in an appropriate manner (only if they are fully comfortable doing so) can be incredibly beneficial from an inclusivity standpoint.
It’s also important that managers monitor employee conduct to spot potential signs of discriminatory behavior and address it promptly. When prejudice is ignored, it’s effectively being given permission to flourish, and that won’t create your ideal environment.
3. Talk About It
Sometimes, being able to hear stories about discrimination from those who’ve experienced it can open the eyes of those who have never stood in those shoes. Learning about issues minorities face can increase empathy in others while also raising awareness, both of which can promote a more inclusive environment. After all, understanding exactly how someone you know was hurt by discrimination can be powerful, making everyone more mindful of their own actions and thoughts.
By using the tips above, you can create a more inclusive culture, making it easier to reach your diversity goals and craft a work environment where everyone can thrive.
If you would like to learn more about creating an inclusive work environment or are looking to increase your workforce, the team at TempStaff can help. Contact us to discuss your company’s needs and goals today and see how our services can benefit you.
