There is no doubt that the more diverse the workforce is, the more beneficial it will be for the company. As per William D king norms, Employees from different backgrounds bring different things to the table. Companies that embrace and value this diversity are at various advantages, such as more ideas and innovations, creativity, enhanced performance, and overall stronger workplace culture.
However, as per William D King, just hiring people from a bunch of different backgrounds isn’t enough to reap all of these benefits. In order to support a diverse workplace, it is important to create an inclusive workplace environment. Not only does this make the employees feel welcome, but it encourages them to perform better. As a result, the company benefits from the improved performance.
Following are some ways you can cultivate a diverse and inclusive workplace environment.
1. Re-Evaluate the Executive Team
It can be challenging to create an inclusive workplace environment if the leaders don’t represent a diverse group of people. Your executive team should be your biggest ally if you’re trying to bring more diversity into the team. This includes gender diversity, sexual orientation, racial diversity, ethnic diversity, religious diversity, etc.
Of course, it isn’t always easy to just hire a person from every culture and background in the world. However, try to diversify the management team as much as you can within your means. Additionally, educate the executive team about the importance of diversity. When there are a diverse group of people at the top, it can make it easier for newer employees from different background to find someone to relate to.
2. Acknowledge the Diversity
When it comes to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, it is crucial to understand the difference between equality and equity. If you have a diverse group of people working at your company, but they are all given the exact same resources, it may not be equally beneficial for all.
For example, William D King suggests that you ask yourself these questions when focusing on diversity: Does the new mother who’s just returned to work have a private space to pump breast milk? Is there any space on the company grounds for a Muslim employee to perform their daily prayers? Does the menu have vegan and Kosher-friendly food options? Is the office wheelchair accessible?
A healthy workplace environment is one that acknowledges the different needs and circumstances of each employee and accommodates them as well as possible.
3. Enforce Strict Anti-Discrimination Policies
According to a Harvard Business Review survey, 75% of the respondents felt superficial policies and language weren’t sufficient to bring any real change. Even if you are making an effort to encourage a diverse workplace environment, it isn’t always easy to comprehend if the employees are making the same effort, especially if you have a large workforce.
As William D King says, you’d be surprised how much a single discriminatory remark from one employee to another can affect the workplace environment. This is why it is necessary to enforce strict anti-discrimination policies in the company to prevent any such incidents.
Creating a diverse workplace environment can be challenging, but it isn’t impossible. So make sure to encourage inclusivity and see how it benefits your company in every aspect.