5 Tips to Promote an Inclusive Workplace
In honour of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on March 21st, we’d like to share these five tips on how you and your organization can ensure every one of your employees feel safe, understood, and included regardless of their race.
1.?Ask Questions.
Admitting you lack knowledge about a particular culture or race doesn’t mean that you’re ignorant, it means that you’re open to learning and understanding.
Although it might feel uncomfortable at first, expressing an interest in the cultural norms or expectations of diverse employees will help you connect with your staff.
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2. Admit mistakes.
If you’ve noticed that you or another member of your team has acted insensitively by making an off-hand remark, joke, or assumption, it’s best to acknowledge it rather than hope people forget. ?An essential part of learning is admitting that you have gaps in your cultural knowledge or sometimes speak before considering how your words will impact others.
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3. Encourage open conversations.
If your employees are comfortable sharing their cultural values, inspire them to take pride in their race and heritage. Opening the floor to workplace discussions about multiculturalism doesn’t lead to tension and discomfort; instead, it can lead to acceptance and appreciation.
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4. Celebrate diversity.
Being mindful of the cultural and religious holidays observed by your team can help your diverse employees be proud of their identity by sharing meaningful celebrations with their coworkers.
Keep a calendar with all of the important cultural dates and encourage your staff (and the social committee if your organization has one) to join in on the celebration.
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5. Respect boundaries.
It’s completely understandable if one of your employees doesn’t feel comfortable talking about their race, culture, or heritage. If that’s the case, simply acknowledge and respect your employee’s right to privacy and make it clear that they should never feel obligated to share personal information if they aren’t comfortable doing so.
By following these five tips, you’ll be better able to support your diverse employees through a genuine interest in learning about who they are and what makes them the unique people they are. If you’re successful, your employees will feel psychologically safe to share ideas, express themselves, and feel like valued members of your team.
As a result, the mental health of your employees will be protected so that they can lead happier and healthier lives both at work and at home.
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