Getting Comfortable and Confident with DE&I in the Workplace

As Pride Month begins, Asha Constanza, Business Director at McCann Synergy, discusses how it's essential for businesses to reaffirm their commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) in the workplace:

The good news is that many organisations are already doing a great job with their DE&I strategies and are fostering inclusive cultures.?But even today, one in five employees in the UK still don't believe their company is an inclusive workplace. Research from our own McCann Synergy Truth About Work study of 19k people in 18 countries tells us that over half of them (58%) no longer want to 'bring their whole selves to work', which is perhaps because 1 in 4 people have been made to feel tokenised at work due to their differences or characteristics. Some sad statistics if you ask me...??

But what's even sadder is the era of encouraging colleagues to 'bring their whole selves' to work seems to be over. A movement which started out as a positive change to bridge the inclusivity gap and encourage stronger human connections - and which dovetailed beautifully into our corporate DE&I agendas -?has been forced upon colleagues and become trivialised in many ways.?

So, what can you do this Pride Month to support your colleagues??

Colleagues want to be able to show up to work in whatever way they choose - not just in June, but all year round. The big questions is: how can we - as communicators and HR professionals - enable?this??

Unsurprisingly, the answer isn't through half-hearted efforts of DE&I champions, communications about being 'authentic' or through lip service from senior leaders, and the answer isn't something we can solve as a collective group of communicators, but there is a lot we can be doing in our roles to shape workplace culture.?

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So, with this in mind, here are some practical tips for communicators:?

Be confident in how you communicate Pride (and your DE&I strategy all year round)?

Even in today's world, talking about DE&I can feel uncomfortable - for people and for organisations. Typically, this is due to concerns over saying the right or wrong thing.?

Don't let this stop you and result in you saying nothing. As a communicator, educate yourself in the key elements of DE&I, your company's DE&I strategy and the importance and significance of Pride. This will ensure your communications are full of confidence and inspiration for those in your organisation.?

Raise awareness and educate?

Colleagues need to understand the significance of?Pride?month and LGBTQIA+ rights. You could organise workshops, webinars and lunch-and-learn sessions to address common misconceptions and build safe spaces for dialogue, encouraging empathy and respect in your organisation?.?

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Ensure inclusivity is at the heart of your business?

From the policies you introduce to protect colleagues and the bathrooms you provide, to the pronouns shown on email signatures or as options on internal systems, we need to ensure our colleagues of all gender identities and sexual orientations are included, supported and protected.?

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Champion LGBTQIA+ employee resource groups (ERGs)?

ERGs dedicated to the LGBTQIA+ communication are invaluable in promoting inclusivity. As communicators we need to amplify these groups by providing them an organisation-wide voice across IC channels, helping with funding and resources where possible. You could even encourage the ERG to host their own events and mentoring programmes to promote the community's visibility and allyship in your organisation.?

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Celebrate Pride Month?

June is a fantastic opportunity to recognise and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community. Through comms, encourage colleagues in your organisation to participate in Pride parades and celebrations, organise internal Pride events, invite in guest speakers or host movie screenings. You could even dedicate one IC channel throughout the month to Pride celebrations and stories.?

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Reminder - the benefits of a diverse and inclusive workforce are wide:?

• Boosting innovation:?Diverse teams bring a variety of perspectives and ideas, leading to more creative solutions and innovations.?
• Improving employee satisfaction:?An inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued increases employee morale and reduces turnover.?
• Enhancing company reputation:?Organisations known for their commitment to DE&I attract top talent and appeal to a broader customer base.?
• Better decision-making:?Inclusive organisations benefit from a wider range of viewpoints, leading to more informed and effective decision-making.?
• Increasing productivity:?Colleagues who feel included and respected are more engaged and productive.?

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As we celebrate Pride this month, it's essential to recognise the significance of embracing diversity and inclusion. Pride month celebrations provide opportunities to champion LGBTQIA+ rights and foster a culture of acceptance and respect within our workplaces. By acknowledging the diverse experiences and contributions of LGBTQIA+ individuals, we inspire allyship and create a more inclusive environment for all.?

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Talking about DE&I isn't just about following rules - it's about creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and included. By learning, opening-up conversations, being honest, using inclusive language, and aligning with your values, you can talk about DE&I more effectively and confidently in your organisation.?

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If you’d like to review your DE&I communications with our expert team, please get in touch.?

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Sources: Wildgoose & McCann Synergy's Truth About Work 2023 study?

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