How to cultivate a diverse and inclusive workplace

2020 has been a year of change for many reasons. While the outbreak of the Coronavirus forced us to change the way we live and interact, the world wide #BlackLivesMatter movement has inspired change not only in legislation around the world but in workplaces too.

It is the job of all companies to ensure that they cultivate a diverse and inclusive working environment as it is time that our workspaces reflect the world we live in today.

Here are just a few ways to help cultivate a diverse and inclusive working environment:

Create a space that encourages different perspectives

Many employees choose to leave their jobs because they believe their input is not valued. By creating a company culture that welcomes different beliefs and views, you will be able to ensure that everyone feels that they are part of the decision-making process, therefore, making them feel valued. It is especially important to get the opinions of different groups of people to ensure that you emphasise the importance of everyone’s contributions to daily business operations.

Form a diversity and inclusion council

Organisations should consider creating a diversity and inclusion council. This council should be involved in goal setting around the hiring, retaining and advancement of a diverse workforce. One of its main jobs will be to address any employee engagement issues among minority employee groups. The council will then be able to present the challenges and concerns about diversity and inclusion within the workplace to the CEO and managers to ensure that the company is being proactive in its goal to be inclusive and diverse.

Appoint empathetic leaders

Diversity and inclusion are often seen as an HR problem. It is easy to blame any inclusion and diversities on the HR department; however, it is up to each individual team leader to help cultivate a more inclusive and diverse working environment. Only when each team owns up to their personal shortcomings will things begin to change. This, therefore, requires to have an empathetic leader in place who can identify times when there is exclusion or is able to detect a lack of diversity.

Put it in writing

You need to ensure that your company doesn’t just talk the talk but walks the walk in regards to inclusion and diversity. Therefore it is not only the job of HR to present a clear message about promoting inclusivity and diversity, but it is up to the department managers to do the same. Therefore there should include a section of the employee handbook as well as department directives about promoting inclusion and diversity within the workforce. By doing this, you are ensuring that all employee are aware of the company’s views and policies on inclusion and diversity and will, therefore, promote more people to be empathetic and aware of any exclusion or lack of diversity within their working environment.

Professional Sourcing has a strong reputation for highly developed recruitment expertise within our specialisation areas. We develop strong long-term relationships with our loyal clients. Allow us to help you deal with your frustrations of a lengthy hiring process.

Professional Sourcing is a top-tier South African-based recruitment agency operating internationally, IPM accredited, LEVEL 2 BEE RATED and 51% Black Owned.

Professional Sourcing has a strong reputation for highly developed recruitment expertise within our specialisation areas. We develop strong long-term relationships with our loyal clients. Allow us to help you deal with your frustrations of a lengthy hiring process.