5 Tips For Building an Inclusive Workplace
Inclusion at work means creating an environment and culture within the organization where every person feels heard, accepted, and valued. And while employers might know this is extremely important both ethically and for retaining employees, employers might still be uncertain of how to get started.
We’ve put together a list of five tips to help your organization create a more inclusive workplace.
1. Put Together a Plan
A good starting point for building a more inclusive workplace is to lay the groundwork by creating a specific list of ideas. Write down any and all ideas you and the other employees have, then go through the list and narrow it down to what feels manageable. The goal is to choose a few things that are bite-size and begin implementing them well. The emphasis should be on quality change. If you need help, consider bringing in a third-party expert who specializes in incorporating workplace inclusion. The internet also has an enormous amount of free resources and information for creating a better sense of acceptance for all employees.
2. Ask Questions and Create a Safe Space
Make space in the company and team meetings for employees to share their thoughts and feelings. Also, keep in mind it’s possible that not all employees will feel comfortable at first openly sharing their viewpoints, especially if this isn’t something your company has done much in the past. Consider sending out anonymous surveys so that employees can feel comfortable being honest. Some questions to ask can be:
Do you feel included at work?
Do you feel safe, comfortable, and accepted?
Do you feel the hiring process celebrates the diversity of ideas and people?
How do you think the company could improve on being more inclusive?
The above questions could be a good place to start for opening up dialogue around inclusion at work.
3. Listen
While listening to the needs of employees might sound obvious, it’s easy to overlook this important step. In order to receive honest feedback from co-workers, it’s crucial to establish trust through listening to what they are saying (and showing) you at work. When employees provide feedback, consider taking notes so that you can reflect on their responses.
4. Start an Inclusion Committee
An Inclusion Committee involves putting together a team of employees who will serve as the in-between for inclusion implementations at work and maintaining an open channel of communication between the employees and high-level executives within the organization. The team can create quarterly inclusion goals, monitor inclusion efforts as to how well they are being implemented, and assist with creating inclusive hiring practices. An important thing to keep in mind when putting together the committee is to select employees throughout the organization who are on different teams, with different backgrounds.
5. Implement Accessible Technology for Support
In order for all employees with various types of abilities to feel they are accepted, it helps to have tools available that serve a wide range of abilities and disabilities. Some examples include screen reader programs to help individuals who are blind, screen magnifiers for those who have vision impairment, ergonomic keyboards to help employees feel more comfortable typing, and voice recognition software for employees who might not be able to type.
By following the above steps, you and your organization can help to create a more accepting culture where every person feels heard and valued for who they are and what they contribute to their job.
About SimplyHome Culture
Want to learn more about how to create a diverse and inclusive workplace? Check out this article.
SimplyHome designs and installs innovative and affordable technology solutions that transform how we care for individuals with disabilities and aging adults. Our technology empowers individuals to live their own self-determined lifestyles while addressing the concerns of caregivers.
To find out more about how enabling technology can provide a loved one with independence: Get In Touch