Many businesses and organizations wonder how diversity and inclusion programs will inspire their staff and influence change. Understanding what diversity and inclusion look like is the first step toward learning about the benefits of DEI in your workplace. By exploring these important benefits of inclusion in the workplace, you can find valuable information that makes it apparent why implementing your own DEI program should be a priority.
Understanding Inclusion
The feeling of inclusion allows someone to feel valued, supported, respected, and much more importantly, accepted. This is important in the workplace as it allows your staff to embrace all of its employees as they are, regardless of where they’re from, the religion they follow, their identity, or even their socioeconomic status.
By allowing everyone to be themselves authentically, they feel included, which creates a sense of belonging that allows them to be more productive and work more freely with everyone. This inclusion can be achieved by allowing everyone to have the opportunity to grow and lead, by having an open-door policy where all staff can use their voice about ideas or concerns, and lastly, by allowing everyone to have a say in important decisions about company policies.
What Are Some Benefits of Inclusion in the Workplace?
When you educate your team about DEI concepts, their benefits, and how to listen and communicate well, this creates an important sense of belonging. By fostering this culture of understanding, you’re allowing your staff to work better cohesively.
Some of the largest benefits of inclusion in the workplace include:
- Higher retention rate, after all, happier employees won’t want to find another job
- More engaged employees who can communicate freely
- Expands the reach of the variety of hires you’re recruiting and hopefully hiring too
- Makes your employees feel accepted, which allows them to be more productive
Learn About Diversity & Inclusion Strategies That Can Help Improve Your Business
When it comes to implementing a successful DEI program, online diversity and inclusion training courses can teach your staff about general topics related to diversity, equity & inclusion and why they are so important. This initial training can help boost the sense of belonging in your workplace and also inclusion. A diversity calendar that highlights important DEI events including monthly themes, awareness months, religious holidays, and high holy days allows your staff to learn about cultures other than their own and creates this important culture of understanding and cultural competency.
