Workplace diversity fosters an engaging and more creative environment. Innovation thrives in diverse workplaces as every employee brings unique perspectives and experiences when taking on a project. Workplace diversity encompasses a range of cultures, genders, languages, education levels, religions, and more. It harnesses the minds of a group of people with different thought processes to resolve complex problems.

Workplace diversity isn’t simply an HR concern. When implemented well, diverse workplaces give companies a competitive edge and boost employee engagement. The following are several ways to support a diverse work environment.

Invest in Diversity Training

Not all judgments are deliberate. Life experiences and socialization engrain implicit biases that can hurt inclusivity. Offering diversity training can help bring awareness to unconscious prejudices and provide tools to address them. Diversity training is particularly essential at the management level. Diversity rifts between a manager and employees can damage workplace morale or cause several employees to quit.

Encourage Personal Evaluation

Unconscious biases can extend well outside the workplace. Encourage company leadership to examine their social networks. For example, if the bulk of their LinkedIn connections in management positions are men, it may suggest they subconsciously believe women aren’t leaders. Reviewing connections and contacts is a low-stakes way for company management to reconsider their behaviors and approaches to diversity.

Create and Update Workplace Policies for More Inclusivity

Companies should examine their existing policies to identify any areas that need amending or gaps that require new policies to promote workplace diversity and inclusion. Some examples include:

• Offering flexible hours or remote workdays to accommodate employees’ differing needs.
• Addressing the office layout and facilities for inclusivity, such as ensuring walkways and workspaces fully meet the needs of employees with disabilities or providing non-gendered bathrooms.
• Allowing employees to take off religious holidays that may not be observed company-wide.
• Providing onsite childcare.

Developing an inclusive and diverse workplace requires regular reflection and reevaluation. Seeking employee input can facilitate these endeavors. For example, a diversity team can highlight overlooked policies or procedures that hinder diversity while also offering insights on how to improve them. Intentionally supporting diversity and inclusion can benefit companies in many ways. Organizations that do so often have happier, more engaged employees and boast impressive innovations and productivity. Contact Windermere Insurance Group to learn more about the benefits of a diverse and inclusive work environment.