We’ve all heard the terms Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion get thrown around since 2018. Companies rushed to create inclusive groups and open dialogue for their BIPOC employees. They even made policies that create a more equitable workforce, but what has happened since then? Where are we now, and how do we move?
Read on for important tips on how to step up Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in your workplace.
What Do Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Look Like in The Workplace?
Having a diverse workplace doesn’t automatically mean that the workplace is equal and inclusive. Just because there are people of all backgrounds in a workplace doesn’t mean they feel welcomed or appreciated.
A diverse and inclusive workplace makes employees feel equal no matter who they are or what they do in the organization. Everyone should feel equally involved and supported in the workplace.
If your workplace looks like this, you’re doing a fantastic job. But you can always do more to make diverse employees feel welcomed.
How Do I Know if Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Are Missing in my Workplace?
Lack of diversity, equity, and inclusion can be very obvious. But still, in some cases, it’s hard to find exactly what’s missing and how to read the signs.
The most significant sign to look out for is when diverse employees leave for other jobs. Diverse employees will look for another workplace where they feel valued and included.
Another sign is the leadership team lacking diversity. According to the US Census Bureau, over 75% of managers are white. The executive level of management is 85% white. If there’s no diversity in leadership, diverse employees may feel like there is no space for them at the top. As a result, employees will leave, causing a high turnover rate for diverse employees at your company.
There is also conflict in the workplace if diversity is missing. If someone doesn’t feel welcomed or appreciated, their emotions toward the workplace become negative. Having unhappy employees will also decrease their work productivity. If work productivity is dwindling in employees, there might be a problem.
How Can You Change Your Workplace to Step up in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion?
You can do many things to learn how to step up diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in your workplace. The first thing you can do is ask and listen to your employees about their feelings. When employees feel heard and validated, they’re more likely to be happy in the workplace.
Here’s a list of a couple of things you can do to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion in your workplace:
- Make DEI strategy a priority.
- Making DEI a priority will make diverse employees feel heard and appreciated, reducing employee turnover and saving your company money.
- Conduct pay equity reviews and make adjustments as needed.
- Create a mentorship program.
- A mentorship program that uplifts diverse employees will lead to meaningful change in employees as they feel a greater connection to the company. This will create a pipeline of well-trained and engaged employees wanting to advance with the company.
- Host DEI training sessions often.
- Ensure employees gain meaningful insights from these training sessions by bringing in subject matter experts, creating a safe space, and having crucial conversations.
- Ensure that all benefits are inclusive. Programs as well.
- Every person in the company should have equal access and opportunity to the benefits and programs offered. Benefits or programs shouldn’t be exclusive to certain groups of people.
You can do hundreds of things to improve your DEI strategy, but you have to listen to the needs of your diverse employees first.
Need help figuring out where to start?
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