Diversity management is a term used to describe businesses’ efforts to embrace diversity and create a more inclusive workplace. It encompasses a wide range of activities, such as hiring practices, training programs, company policies, and day-to-day practices. At its core, diversity management is about embracing everyone’s unique experiences and perspectives, and utilizing those strengths to make businesses better.
Importance of Diversity in Business
There are many reasons why diversity is important to businesses. According to a report from McKinsey & Company, businesses that embrace diversity have a better chance of attracting higher-quality candidates, outperforming the competition, and enjoying the benefits of a diverse and engaged workforce. A diverse workforce leads to a 35% increase in productivity, more creative and effective problem-solving, more engaged employees, and more effective hiring.
Shifts in Working Practices
To attract and retain a diverse workforce, businesses need to shift their working practices. This includes adopting more flexible working hours, implementing remote working policies, and offering training and development programs that cater to a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. By doing so, businesses can create a more inclusive workplace that allows everyone to thrive.
Diversity training
Diversity training is another important aspect of diversity management. It involves helping employees tackle their unconscious biases so that they can work more effectively with colleagues from diverse backgrounds. This can include providing sensitivity training and helping employees identify their own biases and prejudices. By doing so, businesses can help employees notice areas for improvement in the company’s diversity and inclusion practices.
Policies and procedures
Policies and procedures are also critical for diversity management. They should be created with an eye toward overcoming any cultural or language barriers that may exist within an organization. This can include everything from providing multilingual materials to ensuring that safety rules and instructions are accessible to everyone. By doing so, businesses can create a more inclusive workplace that values everyone’s contributions.
Treating employees as individuals
Businesses need to treat every employee as an individual to make them feel valued, like they belong, and motivate them to stay and make a difference. This means taking the time to understand each employee, their unique skills, and personal motivators. By doing so, businesses can create a more supportive workplace that enables everyone to thrive.
Asking every employee what their gender pronouns are and listing them on employee profiles is a simple yet effective step to make them feel seen and accepted in the workplace. This small step can help employees feel more comfortable and included, and can also help eliminate any potential misunderstandings or hurtful situations.
Active listening
It is important to ask employees what they need and actively listen to their answers, particularly if they come from a different background than your own. By actively listening to employees, businesses can identify and address any issues that may be preventing them from feeling included and valued. By doing so, businesses can create a more supportive and fulfilling workplace that benefits everyone.
Supporting Diversity and Inclusion
Having someone within the business whose purpose is to support diversity and inclusion in the workplace also shows everyone that the business is serious about its diversity efforts, which boosts its employer brand. This person can act as an advocate for employees, ensuring that their needs are being met and that the business’ diversity and inclusion practices are up to par.
Diversity management is critical in creating a better workplace culture that values everyone’s unique skills, experiences, and backgrounds. By embracing inclusion and actively working to create a more diverse workplace, businesses can attract higher-quality candidates, outperform the competition, and enjoy the benefits of a more engaged and productive workforce. Whether through training, policies, or simply treating employees as individuals, businesses can make a meaningful difference in the lives of their employees and promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
