Does your workplace feel like home? Does it evoke a feeling of belonging?
If your workplace is anything like most workplaces, the answers to those questions aren’t worth saying. A recent survey established that a whopping 45 percent of employees experienced workplace discrimination and/or harassment in 2019.
The consequences of having a workplace that isn’t inclusive are well-documented: high employee turnover, low motivation, reduced productivity.
As a business owner, it’s in your best interest to build an inclusive workplace. But how do you do this effectively?
We’re here to help.
Continue reading to learn what it takes to foster workplace inclusion.
1. Identify What’s Working Against Inclusion in Your Workplace
The first step to building a workplace that’s inclusive is to measure the state of inclusiveness in your organization. This can be a difficult thing to do because, really, your workplace is either inclusive or not. There’s no in-between.
However, you can get the general feeling of your employees by conducting an anonymous survey. Once you do that, the next step is to establish the elements that are working against inclusion in your workplace.
Why is it that your employees aren’t feeling the workplace is inclusive? Is it because there are way too many employees of one gender? Is it because many employees are from one race or religion?
It’s only after identifying the forces of non-inclusion that you can start to build a truly inclusive workplace.
2. Develop Workplace Policies That Promote Workplace Inclusion
One of the most impactful things you can do to promote workplace inclusion is to develop organizational policies that foster inclusion.
For example, if your recruitment policy favors hiring males to executive-level positions, you’re shooting your inclusion efforts in the arm. You want everyone to see inclusion right from the top.
If your management personnel are from one race or gender, it’s not too late to switch up things. Without making adequate changes from the top, it’s hard to say whether you will achieve workplace inclusion.
Another policy that can foster workplace inclusion is open communication. Encourage your employees to speak up freely without fear of being victimized or reprimanded.
3. Invest in Employee Recognition
The cost of running an employee recognition program can be prohibitive for small organizations running on shoestring budgets. However, the return on investment is worth it, especially when your goal is to build an inclusive workplace.
Employee recognition gives everyone the opportunity to be seen and heard. Your employees will work together to achieve a certain goal when they know there’s a reward ahead.
4. Say It in Your Mission Statement
How will people who want to work in your organization know that your workplace is inclusive?
Simple. They just need to read it in your mission statement.
Your mission statement isn’t just a blend of words designed to give your company a sense of purpose and direction. They speak what you, the owner, thinks. If you’re all about workplace inclusion, say it in your mission statement.
You Can Build an Inclusive Workplace
Building an inclusive workplace can seem like a tall challenge. After all, you’re always hiring people who are inherently different, even when they belong to the same race, religion, gender, or political group. But, with these tips, you can do it.
Keep reading our blog for more tips and insights.