Ways to foster a diverse working culture

Today, companies are placing diversity at the core of their business foundation.

Through various means, companies are still trying their best to understand and implement it.

With diversity, employees feel included and have a sense of belonging, which leads to better performance, a safe and respectful environment, and better branding representation for the company.

Diversity can be segmented into gender, race, age, education qualifications, disabilities, needs and more.

Here are some ways to start inculcating diversity in business practices:

1. Use inclusive job descriptions

Are there still work environments that are just suited to one gender? That might be a thing of the past.

These days, even governments are encouraging gender diversity to balance out the male-female ratio in the workforce.

Are childcare teachers, nurses, waitresses are jobs that are thought to be better for women? Or, are doctors, scientists, engineers typically thought to be suited for men?

This type of thinking is now flying out the window as schools, companies, and support groups are promoting an inclusive non-gender bias workplace.

Want to work in STEM industries or be a flight attendant? Now, anybody can do so.

Therefore, job descriptions should remove any signs of gender-based requirements.

If you are not sure, then test it out. Survey a group of people with a job posting and see if they can tell if it is more suited for a man or woman. If they can't tell, then the description is apt.

2. Exclude photos, body measurements or preferred physical description

People should be measured for their skills, qualifications, and experience, not for their physical attributes.

Even if it is a customer service role, an employee with good experience can provide excellent work performance.

So, it is best to omit requirements for physical attributes in the job postings. 

3. Avoid picking candidates from similar background

In the hiring process, picking people from the similar school, background or characteristics should be avoided.

This turns the company into like a fraternity and doesn't give people with the suitable attributes a chance to work for them.

By expanding on the characteristics and background of employees, the company can gather more skills, culture, knowledge, new ideas and ways of thinking.

The best lawyers don't always come from Harvard, or the best engineers from Japan. There are talents all over so don't miss out on them.

4. Offer Unconscious Bias training

Diversity is not a concept that everybody can understand straight away. It can encompass shaping their thinking, communication, and actions.

Through training, employees can learn the ways unintended prejudice can occur and learn to eliminate them.

By acting professionally at work, there will be fewer chances of misunderstandings and foster a culture where employees feel respected, safe, and have a sense of belonging.

5. Have meaningful employee gatherings to celebrate diversity

The company leaders are important stakeholders to encourage diversity.

By having buy-in from stakeholders, employees can see the importance of being proactive in having an inclusive workplace.

Diversity is complex and doesn't happen overnight. By laying down these plans now, the company can benefit greatly in time to come.

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