Nowadays, building an inclusive workplace is more than just the right thing to do. Diversity has been proven to benefit businesses in several ways, including increasing employee engagement, profitability, and overall culture.
By creating a space where everyone is supported, regardless of factors such as race, age, sexual orientation, gender, or disability – you can increase your bottom line significantly. Not to mention it will set the standard for others to follow.
Want to know how to get started? Below we will discuss just five tips to help you build a more inclusive work environment.
Educate your team and create an inclusion plan
Before you start making any changes to your workplace, you need to develop a plan. This should outline your goals, strategies, and necessary action steps.
Do your research and create a roadmap for achieving your objectives. Remember to include those who are relevant, such as employees, stakeholders, customers, and suppliers.
If you’re still unsure of where to begin, search for DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) workshops in your local area. There are so many resources that can help you with ideas and solutions.
Address discrimination and harassment promptly
Unfortunately, harassment can still happen in the workplace, regardless of what strategies you implement. To stop this, you must look further into supporting employees experiencing discrimination.
Address issues promptly and create a reporting system that encourages your employees to come forward. Doing this can help prevent future incidents and show that you truly care about your team members.
Create a warm and welcoming environment
A warm and welcoming environment is an essential step in creating an inclusive workplace. By designing a space that accommodates diverse needs such as accessible desks and prayer rooms, you are promoting a sense of belonging.
Things such as team-building activities and inclusive language can also make a big difference. Often it’s the smallest things that mean the most – especially to those who may not have worked for such a caring business before.
Embrace new and diverse perspectives
An inclusive environment values, respects, and embraces different perspectives. So, be sure that you are allowing people to share their thoughts and beliefs without fear of judgment.
By acknowledging differences, you can create a culture where everybody feels comfortable to come to work. This will also improve your innovation and creativity too.
Review all of your policies and procedures
Finally, the last tip you should follow is to review your policies and procedures. These have a significant impact on culture and must align with your new inclusion objectives.
After this has been done, take time to measure and track your progress. What do your employees think? Have your retention rates improved? You may need to make more changes until you find something that works well for your business.
Final Words
Building an inclusive work environment takes time, effort, and commitment. However, the rewards that come with it are well worth it. By following the tips above you’ll be on your way to creating a safe and supportive space where everybody will want to work!
