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This week is National Inclusion Week. National Inclusion Week (NIW) is a week dedicated to celebrating inclusion and taking action to create inclusive workplaces. It is now in its 10th year.
Celebrated annually, National Inclusion Week promotes the power of acceptance in the face of discrimination. The annual event centres around a specific theme, with past themes including Each One, Reach One, to encourage people to connect with their peers. In 2022, the theme is Time to Act: The Power is Now.
How can you make sure that your workplace is inclusive? we've put together some tops below.
Why is a diverse workplace important?
Diversity and Inclusion are becoming more important to companies globally, with an increase in D&I jobs by 58% between 2019 & 2020.
There are many benefits to having a diverse workforce, including greater employee morale, more engaged employees who work more efficiently, and a greater variety of ideas to meet customer demand and help businesses stand out in a competitive world.
Your business will be more attractive to potential new hires.
Businesses seen as being more diverse and inclusive can have a higher employee retention rate and be more attractive to potential new hires. A strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusivity (ED&I) in your employee value proposition (EVP) is a good indication that your company values mental health and the wellbeing of your employees.
It may help your business grow.
Having a diverse workforce can improve and enhance creativity, bring new perspectives to your work and bring more solutions to any potential problems that you may face as a business. Businesses that focus on diversity are often seen as more innovative.
How can you embrace a diverse and inclusive environment?
If a business embraces diversity, employees will be more comfortable being their authentic selves in the workplace. According to one report, over a third of LGBTQ+ staff have hidden or disguised their sexuality in their workplace through fear of discrimination. One in eight lesbian, gay and bi people (12 per cent) wouldn't feel confident reporting homophobic or biphobic bullying to their employer.
How can you build an inclusive work environment?
Eliminate Harassment
Set a zero-tolerance approach to workplace harassment with company-wide anti-bullying and anti-discrimination and enforce them whilst promoting a positive culture of openness and acceptance.
Remove unconscious bias
Educate your employees on the use of inclusive language, and draw their attention to the unconscious use of exclusive words such as "guys" and exclusive job titles in hiring materials such as "Storeman".
Speak to your employees
If you notice that one of your employees is struggling, reach out to them. As a leader, you don't have to know all of the answers, but knowing where to point them if they need advice on something. Sometimes it may be as simple as needing an outlet and a sympathetic ear. Without asking, you will never know, and it could make a difference.
Display your Pronouns.
By displaying your pronouns in your business communications, people will know how to address one another and avoid any uncomfortable situations with colleagues and clients.
Reflect and commit to change
Diversity and inclusion are more than policies, programs and headcounts. If you are committed to creating a more inclusive workplace, it is because you care about the experiences of your coworkers, customers and others around you.
No single person will ever know everything that we need to know about how to make our workplace more inclusive, so committing to an ongoing learning process is key.
What steps have you taken towards having a more inclusive and diverse business? This can start with your recruitment, and we can help. Get in touch by calling us on 0161 839 5353 today or filling out the form below.