In the post-pandemic marketplace, for an organization to survive and function efficiently, the assets like diversity, equity, and inclusivity (DEI) need to be on point.
A diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization is more productive and innovative, plus the employee engagement quotient is comparatively higher amid the DEI culture. Such an organization exhibits better productivity and retention, which renders it a good reputation amid clients too. Employees suffer from low morale when they cannot speak up or face discrimination of any sort. Such events jeopardize their performance as well as mental safety.
When it comes to achieving goals, every organization should ensure making arrangements for a top-notch employee experience because employees make achieving goals happen. And over the years, it has been proved that organizations perform better if their workforces are diverse. An efficient workspace is supposed to have diverse minds working in it. With the changing landscape of business, empowering diversity at work is a priority today.
Equity, which is not synonymous with equality, is all about making the game even for all. It provides every employee with their required distinctive resources so that they can have access to their opportunities. It bridges the gap between employees by addressing every differing need. Implement workplace equity by prioritizing remuneration equity, ensuring diverse cross-level representation, and implementing education programs.
An organization does not become inclusive by just hiring diverse employees. Inclusivity shows when the diverse workforce feels involved, acknowledged, trusted, and empowered. Diversity cannot succeed without inclusion. Therefore, to create an inclusive workplace, educate the workforce, especially the leaders, communicate transparently, and embrace every employee with distinct traits and skills.
Now that you know why the DEI workplace culture is so significant currently, here’s how you can achieve them –
Chalk out a plan with hands-on participation of the employees
Before everything, you need to define some organizational terms and conditions for achieving the desired DEI culture. Once done, it’s important to chalk out a plan to track its efficiency. With the active participation of the employees, your organization can lead by example in terms of accumulating more employee buy-in and demonstrating employee acknowledgment. This way, you can nurture a DEI workplace culture.
Leverage technology to monitor the DEI procedure
Even though technology does not solve our complex problems, it at least automates them. With the fittest data backing the technologies in use, the outcome looks way better. So, much more than embracing the DEI culture, the regular monitoring is essential, and leveraging technology for the same will always be proven right.
Administer pay equity audits and gain better insights
The contribution of pay equity audits towards eliminating workplace discrimination is massive. Any discrimination against employees, whether intentional or not, disturbs the organizational culture. It is known to put the employer at legal risk too. With the help of equity audits, you can ensure pay equality and several other equal employment practices in your organization too. Insights gained from the audits can help you identify the areas you need to put your efforts on.
Share accountability and practice collaboration
Without effective collaboration, an organization cannot nurture its culture. It strengthens the core of an organization and helps in maintaining shared accountability too. In an equitable organization, responsibilities are shared and not carried on lone shoulders. Similarly, for an organization to achieve DEI culture, the entire workforce needs to collaborate. It is not a one-man show.
Hold on to your humanity
In embracing the DEI culture, you must not overlook humanity. Only a ‘human’ workforce culture can be diverse, equitable, and inclusive. Instead of relying solely on data and technology for several organizational functions and thereby snatching every opportunity from the underrepresented human pool, find means to make technology, data, and humans work in unison.
So, take your baby steps towards achieving an empowered DEI organizational culture, make way for a fair and exemplary workplace, and root for a high-performing workforce.