The Importance of Inclusion in the Work Place
June 15, 2022
June is a month that our society recognizes the LGBTQ+ community and all of their struggles, victories, and impact on our culture. Pride month shines a light on subjects such as inclusion because it's such an essential aspect of our communities and businesses. Inclusion in a professional setting is becoming more sought after by Gen Z. Companies must incorporate an inclusive work environment if they want to win and retain talent. We share what inclusion means, why it's essential, and how to incorporate it into the office culture.
INCLUSION VS DIVERSITY
Although similar, there is a difference between inclusion and diversity. A diverse workforce is a balance of sexes, races, and nationalities. An inclusive workforce is a feeling of security about being true to oneself without consequence or judgment. To create a dynamic work culture, you must be diverse and inclusive, as one cannot exist without the other. An inclusive culture invites its employees to be authentic without fear. As our society moves to be more accepting of each other's identities, we can expect to see a change in how businesses are built internally.
HOW INCLUSIVITY IMPACTS YOUR BUSINESS
You might think that having not an inclusive work environment won't affect your business and its bottom line, but you would be wrong. Numbers don't lie, and recent surveys indicate that employees actively seek an inclusive work culture. According to a Deloitte report, inclusion has a far-reaching impact on businesses. Companies can expect to achieve better business outcomes eight times more than competitors without an inclusive workforce. Businesses are also twice as likely to meet or exceed financial goals. Creating an inclusive workforce boosts businesses' bottom line but beyond numbers, creating an accepting environment is what candidates are looking for in a job. In fact, the same report indicated 80% of people seek employers who cultivate inclusivity in their brand. The bottom line is that to increase a business's bottom line, it must work to be inclusive.
HOW TO INCORPORATE INCLUSIVITY INTO YOUR CULTURE
Creating an inclusive culture requires purposeful steps in making teams feel accepted in how they identify. All businesses should start their inclusivity efforts during the hiring process. Ensuring there is minimal bias during candidate consideration will help build inclusive teams. You can minimize bias by creating a diverse hiring team allowing them to collaborate on who to hire. Educating staff is another step in creating an inclusive work culture. Hosting lunch-and-learns or workshops on inclusivity can help employees understand what it means to be inclusive. Inclusivity Committees are another avenue to ensure that employees feel safe and secure at work and help solve any issues that might bubble up. Most importantly, listening to what employees have to say is the ultimate method of creating an inclusive culture. Managers can hold one-on-ones or create anonymous surveys to help understand how employees feel and what can be done to address any issues.
PARTNER WITH ANALYST
Analyst is a leader in the staffing industry. We believe in incorporating a diverse and inclusive culture which is reflected throughout our organization. Our teams can help businesses cultivate an inclusive workforce by eliminating bias throughout our recruitment process and ensuring a diverse team assist with your hiring needs. Contact us today to learn more.
