Creating a diverse and inclusive workplace has become essential for any organisation that wants to thrive. Not only is it absolutely the right thing to do for your employees, it can also be an intelligent business decision.
A diverse workforce can bring a variety of perspectives, experiences, and ideas to the table, leading to more innovation, better decision-making, and ultimately, improved business outcomes.
Find out more about the hidden cost of a lack of diversity in this guide.
In addition to these tangible benefits, fostering an inclusive culture is simply the right thing to do, promoting fairness and equality for all employees.
However, achieving diversity and inclusion is not always easy, and requires a deliberate and sustained effort from organisations. In this article, we will explore the value of diversity and inclusion within the workplace, and provide practical tips for companies looking to create a more inclusive culture that empowers all employees to reach their full potential.
9 ways to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace
1. Offer Unconscious Bias Training
Training on unconscious bias can help employees become more aware of their own biases and how they might impact their decision-making on a day-to-day basis.
This can lead to heightened self awareness among your employees and your leadership team and result in more inclusive practices and a more diverse workforce.
2. Review and Revise Hiring Practices
By reviewing and revising hiring practices to eliminate potential biases, you can help to create a more diverse candidate pool for positions within your company.
For example, removing names from resumes and opting for a more anonymous approach can help to eliminate unconscious biases based on gender or ethnicity.
3. Encourage Employee Resource Groups
Encouraging the formation of employee resource groups can provide a platform for underrepresented groups to connect and support one another, while also promoting awareness and understanding across the organisation.
4. Celebrate Diversity and Inclusion
Celebrating diversity and inclusion can help to instil a sense of belonging and community for all employees. By actively recognising and encouraging different people to express who they are, it creates a welcoming environment for all.
This can include events and activities that highlight and celebrate different cultures, backgrounds, abilities and the LGBTQ+ community too.
5. Implement Flexible Work Arrangements
Implementing flexible work arrangements, such as remote work or flexible schedules, can help to accommodate the diverse needs of employees, including those with caregiving responsibilities or disabilities.
If you’re really keen to make a change to flexible working options, you might even want to explore the four day work week and the benefits that can bring too.
6. Promote Diversity in Leadership
Promoting diversity in leadership can help to create a more inclusive culture by providing role models and champions for underrepresented groups.
Historically, lack of diversity in leadership roles has been an issue for a huge number of organisations across the world. However, in order to make change and get the best for your business, it’s a great idea to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace in all areas of the company.
7. Foster Open Communication
Fostering a culture of open communication and encouraging feedback can help to create a culture of inclusivity and ensure that all employees feel heard and valued.
If employees feel they can’t feed back ideas or concerns about diversity and inclusion, it’s definitely time to look at your communication practices. All of this adds up to creating a more welcoming workplace.
8. Review Policies and Practices
Regularly reviewing policies and practices to ensure they are inclusive and equitable can help to identify and eliminate potential barriers to diversity and inclusion.
Work closely with your HR department to understand, address and take action to make positive change.
9. Emphasise the Business Case for Diversity
Emphasising the business case for diversity and inclusion can help to gain buy-in and support from all employees. This can include highlighting the benefits of a more diverse workforce, such as increased innovation and improved financial performance.
For more information on the business case for a more diverse workforce and a solid inclusion strategy, read our latest white paper: The Hidden Costs of a Lack of Diversity: Why It's Critical to Act Now
We all know that promoting diversity and inclusion is the right thing to do by our employees, the communities that we all belong to and serve, and also by our business performance too.
As such, we hope these practical nine ways you can promote diversity will help you make a positive move towards a more inclusive workplace.
As executive search consultants, we’re very aware of how incredibly important it is to welcome diversity when it comes to recruiting the most talented people, especially in leadership positions. So, if you’d like any guidance or consultation on recruitment in your business, get in touch with us here at SPS International, and one of our experts will be in touch shortly.