4 Free Ways to Improve Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) have been increasingly important topics in the workplace in recent years. By DEI, I mean a working environment that values and embraces differences among employees, regardless of their race, gender, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation and other factors. In promoting DEI, your company will create a more welcoming and inclusive workplace that benefits employees, customers, and the business as a whole. In this era where social consciousness and activism have become crucial, DEI has become not only a moral imperative but also a business imperative. In this article, I will explore why diversity, equity and inclusion are essential for a healthy and successful workplace and discuss ways in which you can promote DEI in your organisation.

Why are Diversity, Equity and Inclusion important?

Diversity, equity and inclusion are crucial for a number of reasons. First, and foremost promoting DEI is the right and ethical thing to do. Every single one of your employees should have the chance to work in an environment that is inclusive, respectful, and supportive, regardless of their background or identity. It is a fundamental element of creating a fair and just society.

However, beyond this essential moral imperative, there are practical reasons as to why DEI is important in the workplace. I have listed a few of these below:

1. A diverse team will lead to increased innovation and creativity thanks to the varying perspectives your team will have. Moreover, when employees feel comfortable sharing their unique perspectives and experiences, it may lead to better problem-solving and new ideas.
2. When you have people from different backgrounds represented at all levels of your business, they will bring different perspectives to the table. This will help your team to consider all aspects of an issue and thus, improve decision-making.
3. Having a diverse workforce can help your business to better understand and serve a diverse customer base. Employees from different backgrounds will have unique insights into your customer’s needs and preferences, which will help you tailor your product/service to better meet these needs.
4. If you fail to prioritise DEI, you could leave yourself at risk or vulnerable to legal action.

How to prioritise DEI?

In order to prioritise diversity, equity and inclusion in your business, you must take a deliberate and intentional approach. I have listed a number of strategies below that you can use to prioritise DEI:

1. First of all – you will need a DEI strategy. This should include your specific goals, actions and timelines, and should be aligned with your company’s overall mission and values. Make sure to take input from your employees when constructing this strategy.
2. You should then conduct a thorough assessment of your current practices to identify specific areas for improvement. This could include reviewing your hiring practices, and choosing to do blind recruitment whereby you don’t look at CV’s or individuals’ names during the hiring process.
3. Leaders play a crucial role in creating a culture of inclusion. It is of paramount importance that the management within your business is committed to DEI and has the skills and knowledge to lead by example. Your management team should be accountable for meeting DEI goals and should be evaluated on their progress.
4. Lastly, you should offer training programmes that focus on DEI, such as unconscious bias training, cultural awareness training and inclusive leadership training. This will help to increase awareness and understanding of DEI issues amongst your team.

Concluding Thoughts

To conclude, diversity, equity and inclusion is crucial and can support your business in a number of ways. Prioritising diversity, equity and inclusion requires a comprehensive and sustained effort from you. By developing a clear strategy, evaluating your current practices, focusing on leadership and implementing training programs you can create a work environment that values and embraces the differences among your employees and ultimately benefits everyone involved. Contact us to find out more about fostering DEI in your workplace.