Austin Page https://andela.com 4m 1,056 #diversity
The views of this article are the perspective of the author and may not be reflective of Confessions of the Professions.
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We live in a world that’s far more connected than ever before. Barriers are being broken, and the internet ensures that if a person wants to see different perspectives, they will see them. For some people, it’s a scary change, but for others, it can be very exciting. Regardless, it’s important to know how to handle this new world of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Today, we’ll be defining what those three terms actually mean. They’re often confused about each other, but they accomplish very different things despite being intertwined with each other. They are essential for creating a work environment that is fair, inclusive, and respectful of all individuals.
What Is Diversity?
Diversity refers to the range of differences that exist among people, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, and disability. A diverse workplace means that individuals from different backgrounds and experiences come together to work towards a common goal.
Diversity, at its very core, is about having as many experiences to draw from as reasonably possible. Change is impossible without the addition of new things, and that’s exactly what a diverse range of experiences can offer a company. Regardless of who they are, everybody has something to offer thanks to their own experiences.
What Is Equity?
Equity means ensuring that everyone has access to the same opportunities and resources. This includes fair hiring practices, promotion opportunities, and access to training and development programs. Equity means acknowledging that not everyone starts from the same place and that some individuals may need additional support to succeed.
Promoting a culture of equality necessitates equity. It’s not a simple matter of everyone getting the same thing regardless of circumstance. For example, if a person is skilled at their job but has a disability that prevents them from leaving home, remote accommodations have to be made to ensure they’re comfortable.
What is Inclusion?
Inclusion means creating a work environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported. It means fostering a sense of belonging and ensuring that all individuals can participate fully in the workplace. An inclusive workplace is one where everyone can bring their whole selves to work without fear of discrimination or harassment.
The core idea behind inclusion in the workplace is to make sure everyone gets a chance to have their say. It’s one thing to hire people from all walks of life and give them chances, it’s another to allow them to affect the bottom line in a way that’s practical and sensible.
Why Does Knowing This Matter?
The primary reason to be diverse, equitable, and inclusive in the workplace is for ethical reasons. Whether people like to admit it or not, people are born with very different circumstances and cultures. Knowing the difference between these three aspects allows you to tackle the issues with focus. All three of them need to be achieved or nothing will happen.
Inclusivity and equity are impossible without a diverse roster of people to assist. Equity and diversity come off as patronizing when the underrepresented groups aren’t part of the overall conversation. Diversity and inclusivity aren’t effective if people aren’t given the means to achieve their goals. It’s all or nothing when it comes to achieving all three in the workplace.
How Do You Make This Happen?
There are a number of ways your company can get started on the track to achieving a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace.
Reconsider Your Hiring Practices
When it comes to promoting diversity in your workplace, the first thing you should start improving is your hiring practices. Perform a thorough review of your job descriptions and qualifications to ensure that they’re not biased towards one particular group based on factors like gender, race, ethnicity, or age.
As an additional alternative to finishing school, include “or relevant years of experience in the field”. Plenty of programmers are self-taught nowadays, for example, so a college degree is no longer the only way to gauge competency. With how high student debt is, it’s likely there are thousands of qualified entrants who simply didn’t have the funds to start college and just went for the longer path.
Expand Your Reach
In addition to qualifications, think about where you’re looking for talent. Online is obviously accessible to almost everyone but think about your personal hiring projects. Try reaching out to different communities and organizations to recruit candidates from diverse backgrounds.
You can also consider partnering with schools and universities to create internship and mentorship programs to attract diverse talent. Plenty of marginalized students may not even have internet access at home, so supporting them early could make your company appealing to them in the future.
Open Communication
Address any biases that may exist within your company’s policies, procedures, or culture. In addition, encourage workers to share their circumstances with you personally, and see if there’s anything within the company’s power that it can do to better their experience.
Foster open and honest communication within your team and make sure that everyone has an equal opportunity to speak and be heard. This means creating a safe space where employees feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas, regardless of their background or experience.
Be Proactive In Finding Problems
Sensitivity training is a preventative measure, but it’s no secret that some employees don’t view seminars as very effective. It’s important for the staff to know that the higher-ups are taking their mission of diversity, equity, and inclusion seriously. The best way to do this is by being proactive about observing the workplace.
Offer Accommodations For Specific Circumstances
Be flexible and accommodating to the needs of your employees. This means offering flexible work arrangements, accommodating employees with disabilities, and providing resources for employees who may be dealing with personal challenges.
For example, things like paid maternity leave for pregnant mothers or remote work opportunities for people with disabilities help retain talented employees.
Conclusion
Remember, achieving diversity, inclusivity, and equity within the workplace is an ongoing process that requires continuous effort and commitment.
By providing equal opportunities, addressing biases, promoting work-life balance, being transparent, and encouraging diversity, you can create a workplace where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
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