Diversity and Inclusion Strategies

Diversity and Inclusion (DEI) have quickly become a top priority for business leaders. But DEI goes beyond simply hiring more diverse employees - it involves creating an inclusive culture that welcomes all and fosters growth for all involved.

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Measuring and reporting DEI metrics can help you assess the current state, set improvement goals, and monitor progress. Here are the main areas for measurement:

1. Attract and Retain Diverse Talent

Diversity is an essential aspect of business today, as it helps companies penetrate new markets and meet customer requirements. Diversity also enhances productivity while improving morale - two powerful assets to have on your team!

To attract diverse candidates, try recruiting outside your normal channels and use outreach tools that allow you to connect with community-based organizations and state workforce development agencies that specialize in supporting underrepresented groups by offering employment and training opportunities.

To retain diverse employees, make sure your managers understand the value of inclusivity and are conscious of any unconscious biases they might possess. Provide training and education regarding best practices to create an inclusive work environment; promote opportunities to celebrate diversity-themed holidays or events; offer tuition assistance for employee learning and development programs.

2. Create a More Inclusive Workplace

Lack of inclusion leads to teams that don't feel connected and engaged. By creating an inclusive workplace environment, employers can boost productivity and innovation by inviting employees from all backgrounds to bring their unique perspectives to projects and discussions.

Promote allyship by rewarding employees who go the extra mile in acknowledging and respecting cultural differences and needs of their peers. This will foster more sensitivity and empathy among colleagues while setting an example that your company appreciates people who treat each other with dignity and respect.

Make your workplace accessible for individuals with disabilities by implementing accessibility policies and providing accommodations when necessary, such as physical modifications such as ramps or digital accommodations such as screen readers. Furthermore, be sure to use inclusive language when communicating with someone and be considerate when selecting their pronouns before initiating communication.

3. Increase Productivity and Innovation

Implementing humane workplace practices can help your business boost both productivity and innovation. When team members feel free to express themselves freely, their unique backgrounds and experiences can bring forth innovative ideas.

Establishing an inclusive culture can encourage your employees to become more productive by giving them the support needed to do their best work. From offering flexible work hours or allowing them to telecommute when sick to establishing a refrigerator dedicated to Kosher foods - small changes such as these can make an enormous difference in employee productivity.

Companies across industries have made commitments to integrate diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) into their culture and values; however, many struggle with turning that commitment into tangible results. One way is to select an easily achievable best practice and implement it.

4. Create a More Human Workplace

As well as increasing productivity and recruiting top talent, creating a more human workplace also fosters greater team morale. Employees bring their whole selves to work every day; therefore it is imperative they feel respected and supported. Cultural competence training helps employees gain a deeper understanding of global markets as they gain exposure to different cultures, traditions and perspectives - something which also contributes to team morale.

Establishing forums where employees can share their unique experiences can help them feel valued and validated, such as Slack channels, employee resource groups or events that highlight diversity and equity issues. Mentoring programs or scholarships offered specifically for underrepresented groups also play a part in creating this space and making sure every employee feels like they belong in society.

5. Reduce Bias

Establishing an inclusive workplace means taking into account all forms of diversity - such as race and ethnicity, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation socioeconomic status educational background among others - that may manifest.

Unconscious bias is one of the greatest hurdles to achieving D&I goals, impacting all aspects of a company, from hiring and recruiting to culture and leadership. When team members, particularly leaders, develop preferences or aversions towards certain groups of people (which can create an uncomfortable working environment that reduces employee morale), this creates an uncomfortable work environment which damages employee morale and can ultimately lead to attrition rates exceeding projected levels.

There are various strategies available for employers looking to combat bias in the workplace. These include blind recruitment - where all demographic data from resumes and applications is redacted; as well as training that raises awareness of various forms of discrimination while helping employees overcome them in daily interactions.