In a workplace setting, everyone should be made to feel welcome and equal. It should not matter what your background is or where you are from; employees should be supported in their place of work by their employers.
Indeed, there has to be a combination of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. What does this really mean and how can it be encouraged in the workplace fairly? Let’s take a closer look.
What is Diversity and Inclusion?
Let’s start by taking a look at what diversity is. This is when there is a combination of different people in the workforce. They can be from different cultures, religions, classes and even have a different gender identity or sexual orientation. A diverse workplace is one that includes everyone, but creating one may force you to analyze your recruitment process more than you currently are.
Then, there is inclusion. This is something that is important if you have a diverse workforce. Namely, inclusion is making sure that everyone feels respected and equally treated in a workplace. So, what makes them part of a diverse team should not set them apart and make them feel different in a bad way.
Why are Diversity and Inclusion Important?
Studies have shown that having diversity in a workplace can be highly beneficial. It can bring different ideas and opinions to the table since everyone has a different background. Due to this, employees can also work in different ways that complement each other. As a result, the company benefits from a better output from their staff.
However, if an employer is not inclusive in the workplace, they are not going to experience these benefits. This is why it is recommended that HR works on policies to ensure everyone is happy. For example, you can create an inclusive workforce with this diversity and inclusion workplace calendar. The purpose is to bring employees together to celebrate different holidays and to learn about various cultures and beliefs. In general, including a range of activities annually can keep diverse workforces happy.
Why Must Employers Be Inclusive?
Bringing in a diverse workforce is one thing. But, once you have those employees on your payroll, you have to make sure that you make them feel included. This is essential for your business. In particular, inclusion activities can improve employee engagement. They can enjoy working at your company and overall, there is higher team morale. Employees feel appreciated, seen and valued. As a consequence, they are more likely to trust their employer and want to work hard.
When you have a happy workforce, employees are less likely to leave. This is a good thing for businesses that want to improve their retention rate. Keeping staff can mean that you have strong teams that communicate well and have a good bond. This helps with projects and creating quality work.
Therefore, every business should prioritize inclusion when they bring in a diverse workforce. Otherwise, this is going to reduce performance and it can lead to a stressed, unhappy and unmotivated team. This is the last thing you want to happen.
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