Inclusion at the workplace enables employees to feel comfortable with who they are and feel like they belong in the workplace. Inclusion at the workplace not only benefits the employees, but also the company as a whole.
A study done by Bersin by Deloitte showed that companies with inclusion as one of their values had 2.3 times the cash flow per employee compared to companies that did not have inclusion as one of their values. The same study also found that companies who valued inclusion were 1.5 times more likely to be talent leaders, meaning they attract and retain top talent better than their competitors. There are many advantages to inclusion at the workplace, which is why HR professionals should make sure everyone is engaged in inclusion initiatives at their company.
Three steps to promote workplace inclusion
1. Educate yourself and others about inclusion
Many organizations are starting to recognize the importance of workplace inclusion. Inclusion is about recognizing and valuing the unique contributions that each individual brings to the workplace. It’s about creating an environment where everyone feels they belong to, and where their voices are heard and valued.
One way to promote workplace inclusion is to educate yourself and others about the importance of diversity and inclusion. This can be with the use of books, articles, workshops, and other resources. It’s also important to have open, honest conversations about inclusion with co-workers, friends, and family members. By increasing our understanding of inclusion, we can help create workplaces that are more inclusive for everyone. Promoting inclusion will affect your business growth.
2. Encourage open dialogue about inclusion
Workplace inclusion is essential to the success of any business. By fostering an environment of open dialogue, businesses can ensure that all employees feel comfortable and respected.
Unfortunately, many workplace cultures still actively discourage employees from speaking up about inclusion. This can be particularly true for marginalized groups who may fear retribution or feel like their voices will not be heard. Businesses need to take active steps to encourage employees to engage in open dialogue about inclusion. This may include instituting anonymous feedback mechanisms, providing training on inclusion and diversity, and mandating that all employees participate in inclusion initiatives. Encourage employees to meet in-person and if there is no chance use meeting tools to meet and have a discussion.
2. Put inclusion into practice
One way to promote inclusion is to make an effort to learn about your co-workers, regardless of what department they work in or what their job title is. In many workplaces, employees can become siloed off from each other, only interacting with people in their own department. But when you spend the time to learn about the team you work with, it helps to break barriers and create a more inclusive workplace culture.
Another way to promote workplace inclusion is to be an active ally for marginalized groups. This includes speaking up when you witness discriminatory behavior, using inclusive language in workplace communications, and promoting underrepresented voices within your workplace. When everyone works together to create an inclusive environment, it benefits everyone.
Conclusion
When employees feel part of a larger community, they will more probably stay with the company and be loyal to the company brand. HR professionals can promote inclusion in the workplace by ensuring that everyone has a voice, encouraging collaboration, and providing training on inclusion and diversity.
