Diversity in the workplace has become an increasingly important issue in recent years. Companies with a diverse workforce are often more innovative and perform better than their less diverse counterparts. But simply hiring a diverse group of employees is not enough to create a truly inclusive workplace. Companies must also implement an employment diversity policy that supports and promotes diversity in all aspects of the workplace. In this blog post, we will discuss the key elements of an employment diversity policy, with real-life examples, quotes from journals, and links to studies.
Recruitment and Hiring Practices
One of the most important elements of an employment diversity policy is recruitment and hiring practices. Companies should make an effort to attract diverse candidates and create a hiring process that is fair and unbiased. According to a study by McKinsey & Company, companies in the top quartile for gender diversity are 15% more likely to have financial returns above their respective national industry medians. This shows that a diverse workforce is not only good for social reasons, but it also makes business sense.
Real-life example: Unilever, a multinational consumer goods company, set a goal to increase the representation of women in management positions to 50% by 2020. To achieve this goal, Unilever implemented several initiatives, including bias-free job descriptions, diverse interview panels, and gender-neutral parental leave policies.
Diversity Training and Education
Another important element of an employment diversity policy is diversity training and education. Companies should provide training for employees to help them understand the importance of diversity and how to work effectively in a diverse workplace. This can include training on unconscious bias, cultural sensitivity, and inclusive language.
Real-life example: Airbnb faced criticism in 2016 when several hosts were accused of discriminating against guests based on their race. To address this issue, Airbnb implemented a mandatory bias training program for all employees and hosts. The program was developed in collaboration with experts in diversity and inclusion and included modules on unconscious bias, cultural competence, and inclusive language.
Inclusive Workplace Policies beyond your Employment Diversity Policy
Companies should also implement inclusive workplace policies that support diversity and inclusion. This can include policies on flexible work arrangements, accommodations for disabilities, and support for employee resource groups.
Real-life example: Microsoft has implemented several policies to support diversity and inclusion in the workplace. These include a policy that allows employees to take up to four weeks of paid leave for family care, a program that provides financial support for employees who adopt a child, and a disability hiring initiative that aims to increase the representation of people with disabilities in the workforce.
Leadership and Accountability
Finally, an employment diversity policy should have strong leadership and accountability measures in place. This means that leaders should be committed to diversity and inclusion and held accountable for creating a diverse and inclusive workplace.
Real-life example: The Coca-Cola Company has a diversity and inclusion council made up of senior leaders from across the organization. The council is responsible for setting diversity goals and holding leaders accountable for achieving them. The company also conducts annual diversity and inclusion surveys to measure progress and identify areas for improvement.
If you want to succeed, an employment diversity policy is essential for creating a truly inclusive workplace. There’s no doubt that companies that implement recruitment and hiring practices, diversity training and education, inclusive workplace policies, and leadership and accountability measures will be better positioned to attract and retain a diverse workforce, promote innovation, and achieve better financial performance.