Creating a diverse and inclusive workforce is incredibly important, especially in 2024. There is a lot of hatred in the world and it only seems to be more apparent than ever before. Perhaps in the decades gone by, it’s remained a murky undercurrent. Nowadays, with social media, there’s nowhere to hide if you decide to spew hatred to others.
That also means that everything you do and say online is watched carefully, which as a business, is important to be mindful of. You don’t want to land yourself in hot water over anything that could put your reputation in the gutter.
Creating a diverse and inclusive workforce is a great step in the right direction for your business’s success. With that in mind, here are several ways in which you can create inclusivity and diversity in your workforce for 2024 and beyond.
Provide diversity and inclusion training to all staff
Probably one of the biggest benefits that you could offer to your workforce is diversity and inclusion training. A lot of people out there might not have had the same upbringing or privilege that others might have gotten.
Everyone is different and that’s what makes us unique but it can also be what sets us apart when it comes to attitudes and opinions. The knowledge and awareness that some might have, others might not. That’s why it’s important to provide diversity and inclusion training where possible to all your staff.
Educating your employees and also the employers on how to best work with people from different backgrounds is helpful. It’s good to provide a safe and secure space in which anyone who takes the training, can learn or unlearn what they thought was right but now perhaps isn’t.
This type of training can work wonders for a business in order to be more inclusive, diverse, and ultimately less judgemental in many ways.
Incorporate a diversity and inclusion policy
Policies are great because they provide a level of authority within the business and legitimacy which is important when you want all staff members to comply with your requests.
Diversity and inclusion policies are needed, even if we’d like to think we’re heading towards a more inclusive and equal society. These policies are great to ensure every effort within the workplace when it comes to providing opportunities for diversity, are done so to the best of anyone’s ability.
There are a number of benefits that come with a diversity and inclusion policy. These are improved morale and productivity for all staff members. Employees will likely feel more comfortable sharing their own thoughts and ideas within the workplace and it can be helpful in reducing legal issues that arise sometimes within business.
Companies that prioritize a D&I policy will see higher revenue growth and better problem-solving and innovation as a whole. It can also lead to more inclusive leaders within the company which is important for the future growth and success of the business.
Take the time and opportunity to celebrate diversity
While diversity should be worked towards within the workplace through diverse hires and equal opportunities, you should also be finding opportunities to celebrate what existing diversity you have in the company.
Hosting events and training opportunities are great ways to help bring together those with cultural differences. The same goes for team-building exercises and social events that will help age groups, sexualities, and genders of all kinds, come together to find things in common.
It’s typical for any business to have social events and times where staff members come together to socialize and interact. Why not take this one step further with celebrations for diversity within the business? Look at what holidays and cultural celebrations you can pay homage to within the workplace.
For example, if someone within the workplace celebrates Diwali, then this can be celebrated by encouraging staff members to create their own dishes that are in celebration of this cultural holiday.
Look to hire a diverse range of people
When it comes to making hires, you want to ensure that everyone you hire, is a diverse contribution to the business. In theory, your workplace should be reflective of the society you exist in. That means it’s not all made up of one gender, race, or age group.
While not every business has an equal offering of diversity, there’s nothing to say that you can’t do more within your business or workforce.
To help make your hiring process more inclusive and diverse, make sure you use the right language and wording within your job descriptions. Advertise online and offline, through various groups and platforms that are specifically for those from all different backgrounds. For example, you might want to consider advertising LGBTQ Job Opportunities.
Hiring a diverse range of individuals for your business is only going to benefit its success and growth. What sets us apart can be a great leverage for innovation and new ways of thinking within business.
Make your workspace a safe space for all
When your employees talk of the business, you want them to sing your praises. A positive workplace and culture is something that takes time to nurture. However, it’s harder sometimes to create a safe space than it is to let a negative one fester and grow toxic.
Speak to your workforce about how good the workspace is now when it comes to safety and inclusivity. If there’s even a sniff of toxicity or problems within the workplace in relation to bullying or hate, then this is something that should be stomped out quickly and set as an example to others.
Discrimination of any kind should not be tolerated, so making your workspace a safe space for all—such as by addressing signs of pregnancy discrimination—should be an important objective to work towards ticking off.
Connect with your employees on a personal and professional level
While some businesses are solely focused on formalities within workplace relationships, it’s always a good thing to encourage a more invested interest in your employees.
As a business, you’re responsible for providing a form of income not just for the staff member but for their families too. Knowing what you can about each and every staff member is a great way to learn about where they’re from, where they are now, and where they’re going.
Connecting with your employees is an important step towards learning more about them and connecting with them on a level beyond just professionalism. It’s a connection that helps improve inclusivity within the business and a sense of belonging for those who might not have always had that prior to working there.
Provide mentoring and sponsorship programs
Mentoring and sponsorships are great ways to encourage passion and drive within your business. Not everyone within the company will have the same start as some. There is certainly a lot of privilege out there and so it’s important to be mindful of those who might not have had the best start in life.
A mentoring program is great for those who want the opportunity to learn from the best and it’s also great for those who need to learn the skills and knowledge required to move up in their careers.
The same goes for sponsorship opportunities and programs. While not all businesses can provide such luxuries, it can be a great opportunity to provide for those who would otherwise be unable to afford it or have access to it.
Being able to sponsor one of your employees to move to a new location within the business or to provide them with the qualification opportunities needed to progress, is priceless. It’s a valuable investment for the company’s benefit too as it all comes back into the shared company knowledge and skills pot.
Get feedback from your employees
Feedback is important and it can often tell you a lot about how well you’re doing as a business when it comes to its growth and success.
When trying to create a diverse and inclusive workforce, you should be seeking feedback from your employees. In order to see how well you’re doing for the sake of your current employees and future ones, ask your employees the questions.
Feedback is valuable and it’s something worth having in order to make the necessary improvements required. It can help your business reach its full potential when looking to make your business even more diverse and inclusive this year and beyond.
Gathering that feedback is easy enough. You can do this through one-to-one meetings or via conducting anonymous surveys. This feedback is valuable and while it might be critical or sometimes harsh, it’s good to have so that you can continue the hard work that’s needed for the sake of your business.
Creating a diverse and inclusive workforce takes time, especially with so many businesses having old habits that die hard and that are often difficult to shift. Use these tips so that your business or the business you work for, can find much success when it comes to improving diversity and inclusivity across the workforce.
