Inclusion in the workplace has become the stepping stone for businesses to sustain brand growth while successfully retaining top talent. It has become a necessary component of every work culture and is the future of all businesses. The more diverse your culture is, the more attractive it is to future clients and employees.
While the brand image is important, a more inclusive workplace culture is becoming the lifeblood of a business because when a company values every employee, they display an emotional intelligence that all individuals would want to be a part of.
What is a More Inclusive Workplace Culture?
A culture of inclusiveness displays a workplace where every employee feels safe and accepted. It is the examples we set, and the standards we share, and includes the entire organization; from leaders to managers and teams as a whole, inclusive workplace culture is a commitment to creating an environment of belonging.
There is an endless number of strategies and standards to implement in an organization to encourage an inclusive workplace culture. No one method is better than the rest, but instead, see all of the options as an opportunity to boost morale in the workplace.
Create an Inclusive Recognition System
Praise, celebration, and rewards are timeless forms of recognition that many companies choose to utilize to honor individuals within an organization. It is crucial to celebrate business success, but more importantly, it is apparent that team members who are recognized for their work on a regular basis will feel included and a part of something bigger than themselves.
Employee recognition can be a driving force for inclusion within a company. Rally around all team members with a recognition program that includes everyone, no matter what their job responsibilities are. Examples of this can include:
- Unique custom awards and trophies
- Newsletters that highlight peer-to-peer recognition
- Years of service or milestone celebrations
Recognize and Celebrate Diversity in all Forms
The companies that are creating more inclusive workplace cultures best are the ones that aren’t shying away from diversity. Instead, they recognize that everyone is different, and they encourage an inclusive workplace by promoting diversity in all forms.
Hiring diverse team members is crucial and important but celebrating diversity in the workplace will bring your company culture to a whole new level. Consider celebrating holidays and other annually recognized dates or months that honor team members but also reinforce company values. A few that might align with your inclusive culture are Juneteenth, Women’s History Month, Chinese New Year, Pride Month, Kwanzaa, National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and Diwali.
Value All Employees
It should go without saying, but when you value all employees, they will feel more included. That does not mean that certain departments or roles cannot be recognized for achievements, but if you decide to honor, send individual shout-outs, or reward success, make sure that at the end of the day, all employees are involved and included.
Another way to show value to all employees is by allowing everyone to have a voice. No matter the role in the company, when everyone can share their opinions and ideas, the business can scale in ways like never before. Additionally, the team can feel like they are truly valued for the work that they bring to the table.
Create a Collaborative Workplace
We’ve seen it before, the classic departmental divide between teams when it comes to goal setting. Where one team points the finger, the other states the blame is on someone else. It is common for teams to feel a divide especially when goals or certain key performance indicators are not met.
A great way to avoid this segregation of teams is by creating a collaborative workplace. There is no shortage of collaboration opportunities in an organization. Whether you decide to cross-departmentally train or pair up certain departments in a brainstorming session, employees will feel a part of a more inclusive workplace culture when they are able to collaborate with other team members.
Encourage Employee’s Best Self
One of the most important methods to implement when creating a more inclusive workplace is to enable a sense of belonging with all members of the team. Once employees feel a sense of belonging, they can move towards being comfortable in a work environment while also being their best selves.
It is important for individuals to feel like they can be themselves in their work environment; that the unconscious bias that haunts our everyday lives will not affect them or their work performance, but instead, they will be encouraged to be their most authentic versions of themselves.
Create Inclusion in Your Workplace
The best way to find out what works for your organization is to align your strategy with your company values. Understand what your employees need and give them the support and commitment they deserve.
Author Bio
Samantha Hausen is a Marketing Operations Manager for Cristaux International – a Chicago-based manufacturing company specializing in recognition programs, custom awards, and trophies. Her thirst for knowledge fueled her career in the world of content. As part of a team dedicated to honoring individuals in the workplace, she encourages brand growth through the power of content.
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