5 steps to create an inclusive workplace culture

Global – Diversity and inclusion must go hand in hand in the workplace. By creating a truly inclusive workplace culture, your employees will be more engaged, more productive, and work longer hours.

What is an inclusive workplace culture?

An inclusive workplace culture is a work environment that welcomes and values employees from diverse backgrounds. According to the Mckinsey report, the most diversified companies are now more likely than ever to outperform less diversified companies.

How to create an inclusive culture in the workplace?

Creating an inclusive culture is not that difficult. To get started, here are a few strategies to promote cultural inclusiveness:

1. Use inclusive language

Using an inclusive language is the single most important thing you can do to create an inclusive workplace. If you’re unsure, ask your colleague about their preferred language and be respectful. Don’t assume they like it based on stereotypes and the limited information you have. If you are not sure, use “they/them” instead of “he” or “she”.

2. Create a safe space for your employees

Part of an inclusive workplace culture is ensuring the comfort and safety of all employees, especially those underrepresented groups. For example, build comfortable rooms or toilets for men and women to serve transgender employees.

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3. Be open to employee feedback

To begin with, you need to understand the current state of the culture, what works, what needs to be changed or improved, and what can be abandoned. Transparency is critical when it comes to creating an inclusive workplace culture, which means listening to what employees have to say.

Conduct one-on-one meetings and interviews, anonymous employee surveys, and feedback gathering workshops. The goal is to have clear and honest conversations.

4. Expand your company holiday calendar (include holidays that represent different religious beliefs)

To champion cultural diversity, be sure to include holidays that represent the religious and cultural beliefs of the minority groups in your organization.

If you have Jewish employees, keep Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Celebrate the Diwali and Navrati festivals with your fellow Hindus. And for Muslim staff, observe the holidays of Eid al-Adha, Eid al-Adha, Ramadan and Muharram.

5. Provide Diversity Education for All

Diversity education aims to eliminate prejudices and stereotypes within an organization. Effective training goes beyond teaching employees to understand different cultures, but also learning how to collaborate with others, taking into account differences in backgrounds and points of view.

At a basic level, training includes raising awareness of the different types of diversity, understanding and appreciating differences among employees, and providing information and advice on improving employees’ interpersonal skills to create a positive work environment.