Diversity, equity, and inclusion should be an integral part of every business’s core values, and the inclusion of team members from the LGBTQIA+ community, ethnic background, gender identity, and other means of personal identification. It’s critical that every employee feels secure at work and it’s the responsibility of leadership to ensure a safe working environment for all who contribute to the company.
Knowledge can be the first key step to fostering a safe and inclusive working environment for all but it’s not enough to sustain that culture of acceptance.
Integrate the following tips into your existing work environment.
Onboarding New Employees
When onboarding brand new employees to the company, be sure your expectations are clear and allow them to understand your company’s core values to include the inclusion of all. Making new team members feel welcome and encouraging the acceptance of everyone already part of the team is integral to setting expectations from the get-go.
Continued Education Training
It’s not enough to tell employees once upon hiring that the business’s values include the psychological, emotional, and physical safety of every employee at the firm, but continued education training must be rolled out that reminds employees and teaches them acceptance and inclusivity as the company culture evolves.
Promote Team Building
How better to get a team meshing and feeling safe than to promote team-building activities that get people talking, laughing, and working together toward a common goal? Getting to know your employees on a more personal level, and allowing employees to learn more about each other, can foster a professional bond according to each person’s comfort level.
You can even center the team-building activity around learning about each other’s traditions, cultures, etc to grow an appreciation for one another’s backgrounds.
Mindful Communication
When communicating, be mindful that text-focused messages versus voice messages can sometimes be taken out of the original intended meaning. It can be unknowingly offensive on a personal level - no matter the format. Use caution to ensure that all communication is free from threatening, racist, derogatory, or culturally insensitive undertones.
Integrate Cultural Celebrations
Learning about others' cultures, backgrounds, and celebrations can help employees to understand employee differences and embrace them. When specific holidays or celebrations come up, plan a festive lunch or office decor with the help of the specific employee who celebrates that occasion. With their assistance, you can ensure that you nail it perfectly.
Honor Integrity
When someone goes above and beyond to show integrity in the workplace, and to create a safe space for everyone, they should be honored and commended. Take note of the employee-led changes within your office space and draw positive attention to them in order to urge others to follow their lead to building an inclusive space.
Anonymity is a Good Thing
If concerns pop up in the workplace where an employee no longer feels safe, it’s integral that an anonymous method of reporting is readily available. It’s not always feasible to ask someone who feels uncomfortable to come out and confront a person who’s caused the distress. Not knowing the reporter can work to the benefit of the company because when addressed to the entire team, those not directly involved, understand what type of behavior is expected of them.
Create Expectations Together
Set boundaries and expectations together to avoid misunderstandings, misheard instructions, and a lack of knowledge on what is to be expected from each and every employee. When team members have a say in what the perimeters are, they are more likely to adhere to them as they are a part of the solution to inclusivity.
Reflection is Key to Change
Oftentimes, looking back on a situation to determine the necessary changes to adhere to safe working environment policies is crucial to know how to create that space in the future. Reflection can be the best method of positive transformation.
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