Did you know Diversity and Inclusion are different?
The words often get used interchangeably, but it's important to acknowledge their differences. They're both important parts of creating a well-rounded environment that is safe and welcoming for everyone.
But what actually are they? What's the difference? And how do we influence this in our workplace?
Diversity is the variety of people and groups in a system or organization.
People tend to focus on what they can see; ethnicity, gender, physical abilities, age, and body type. But there's a whole lot more that isn't immediately seen. Invisible diversity includes; sexual orientation, religion, social situation, education level, neurodivergence, and parenthood.
Inclusion is the practice of creating an environment where all individuals are respected and valued, regardless of their differences. It involves ensuring that people of all backgrounds and identities feel accepted, heard, and respected.
Diversity and inclusion are different and it's good to make note of that. Many companies with good intentions have prioritized diversity over inclusion. This causes disappointing results which can make it harder to get real traction with overall efforts to improve both.
When diversity was first introduced into the workplace, it was more of a "feel good" movement than a serious business principle that improved the bottom line. Since then a lot of research on diversity and inclusion shows that putting together a team of people from different social, cultural, and demographic backgrounds is beneficial for businesses.
What are the benefits?
A more inclusive and harmonious work environment increases employee engagement and productivity.
Your organsation becomes more representative of your diverse customer base.
Attract and retain the best talent from all backgrounds.
Foster a culture of respect, understanding, and belonging.
Support open conversations and innovation.
Help to reduce any biases or prejudices that may be present in the workplace.
How do we make it happen?
Ensure diversity in hiring. Make sure your recruitment practices are inclusive and that your job descriptions are free of bias.
Educate your employees on cultural awareness and sensitivity. Provide regular training and workshops to ensure that everyone is on the same page when it comes to diversity.
Create a safe and welcoming environment. Make sure that all employees feel accepted and respected, regardless of their backgrounds.
Offer flexible work arrangements. This can include things like remote work, flexible hours or job sharing.
Celebrate diversity. Encourage employees to share their stories, celebrate their cultural backgrounds and create a culture where everyone feels included.
Provide resources to support diversity and inclusion. Make sure that employees have access to the resources they need to succeed, such as mentoring programs and diversity networks.
Measure and track your progress. Regularly review your diversity and inclusion efforts to assess how successful they are.
Strive to create an environment that is free of bias, discrimination, and harassment.
People Ninjas offers a range of services to help clients with diversity and inclusion. Click here to contact our team for a free consultation.