by Haleigh Couture
Photo by Canva Studio from Pexels
As more and more businesses shift to fully remote offices, the notion of inclusivity in the work environment can feel lost, but this doesn’t have to be the reality for our new normal. If anything, being more inclusive has never been more important than it is right now. Whether you are the employer or one of the employees, it is always nice to feel welcome in your company. Not to mention, there are so many benefits to promoting an inclusive workplace.
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DIVERSITY: Having a diverse staff benefits the entire organization. Promoting diversity will allow the organization as a unit to flourish. A company that values diversity will often see positive boosts in morale. The company will also have more unique viewpoints, opinions, and ideas to listen to.
Having diverse leadership is also incredibly beneficial for the company because it allows for new perspectives and can often encourage open communication and trust. The marketplace is constantly evolving and as such so are the demographics.
LEADERSHIP: Holding those at the top accountable is a must—upper management should not only be involved but be the driving force when it comes to promoting a strong inclusive workplace. If you don’t feel like your voice is heard, get management involved. Those at the top should be aware of the social environment. Having strong leadership can lead to more equity in the workplace.
COLLABORATION: Part of inclusivity means feeling like your voice is heard and you are a valued asset to the team. Working together means having good listening skills as a collective organization. As an employee, when the opportunity presents itself to join in on a conversation, or listen in on a meeting, take advantage. Be open-minded and willing to work with everyone.
SAFE ENVIRONMENT: Ensuring that all workers feel safe within the workplace is the only way to provide an inclusive environment. This means being a part of an accepting work environment; cultures, opinions, and voices should all feel welcomed. Forming meetings that focus on opening up the conversation as to how the organization can be more inclusive. An anonymous survey can also help people feel comfortable by having allowed their opinions to be heard without fear of judgment.
CSR (CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY): This doesn’t just adhere to the company’s staff; it applies to the customers. Practicing good CSR not only benefits your company but also benefits the world around you. If the customers feel like they can trust your company's product or service, then they will feel loyal to your brand. Successful companies like Starbucks Coffee and Ben & Jerry’s are renowned for practicing good CSR.
CARING: Having a social relationship with coworkers outside of the office is not a bad thing. It should be encouraged. Having positive vibes in the workplace can easily be generated if work environments relax their agendas and do fun things.
Incorporate team-building activities like bowling or kickball to build trust and encourage open communication. Take the time to acknowledge and thank employees for their efforts through a genuine business thank you card. You can build stronger relationships with the team members and create a more engaged and loyal workforce.
GOALS: Having the company’s goals surround the entire organization is the best way to make people feel worthy in their positions. Group-oriented mindsets will allow all employees to feel included and valuable.
Overall, there are so many great ways to promote inclusiveness in the workplace. The best way to ensure that your company is doing its best to meet these tips/strategies is through open communication. It all starts with the voice of the employees.
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Having goals that are oriented to all members of the organization can make them feel worthy of their job and purpose. People don’t want to do something they don’t feel will make an actual impact. So, having those goals that are group-oriented is the best way to show that the company is functioning as a collaborative unit.
A strong management team of diversified strong leaders is critical and will not only help the company grow competitively but also ensure that minorities have a voice.