Inclusive Excellence: Driving DEIABJ Initiatives for Success

by Jul 25, 2023

In a world where we are increasingly connected and diverse, the workplace needs to adapt accordingly. Creating an environment of diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, belonging, and justice benefits not only the employees, but the organization as a whole. The workplace is a reflection of the world we live in. It is our responsibility to foster an inclusive workplace culture that will allow everyone to thrive.

An inclusive workplace prioritizes diversity, equity, and inclusion. It is essential to create an environment where people from all backgrounds can feel valued and heard. Inclusive workplaces also embrace accessibility, ensuring that employees with disabilities are supported and accommodated. Accessibility also includes accommodating alternative languages and cultural differences. When everyone is included, a sense of belonging is created. This feeling of belonging fosters a sense of community and cooperation, which enhances the workplace’s effectiveness.

In another episode of Catherine’s Corner, our guest, Rhett Burden, shares the importance of inclusivity in the workplace regardless of gender identity, language, race, and religion. The importance of inclusivity in the workplace cannot be overstated. When organizations embrace and promote inclusivity, they foster a diverse and dynamic workforce that can lead to several significant benefits.

DEI – Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – they’ve become a common theme in workplaces. But now, there’s an evolution. Alongside DEI, we’re realizing the significance of other crucial elements for creating a positive work environment – Belonging, Accessibility, and Justice. These are the new additions to the DEI acronym.

Because let’s face it, DEI loses its essence without a strong emphasis on Belonging. It’s about more than just ticking boxes; it’s about fostering a sense of belonging for everyone.

And let’s not forget Accessibility and Justice. They go hand in hand with DEI, and without them, the whole concept loses its impact.

Taking Steps to Create an Inclusive Culture

To achieve inclusivity, organizations must proactively take steps to create an inclusive culture. This involves:

 

1. Implementing DEIABJ Policies

Having those crystal-clear policies that outright promote diversity and inclusivity is like laying the solid groundwork for a workplace that truly embraces everyone. It’s about walking the talk and ensuring that every team member feels valued and respected.

But you know what? It doesn’t stop there. It’s equally important to foster a culture where individuals feel empowered to bring their authentic selves to work, knowing they belong and have a voice that matters. When we combine those policies with an inclusive culture, that’s when real magic happens, and we see the full potential of a diverse and thriving workforce.

 

2. Provide Training

investing in training programs for both employees and management on things like unconscious bias, cultural awareness, and inclusive communication can do wonders for our workplace. It’s not just about checking off boxes; it’s about fostering genuine understanding and empathy among our team members.

 

3. Creating Diverse Hiring Practices

It’s high time for organizations to really step up their game and make a conscious effort to diversify their talent pool. When you actively promote equal opportunities for all candidates, regardless of their background, you open the doors to fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and a richer tapestry of skills and experiences.

 

4. Promoting Employee Resource Groups

You know what’s really awesome? Employee Resource Groups! They’re like these fantastic platforms that bring together employees who share common backgrounds or experiences. It’s not just about forming connections; it’s about creating a supportive community where people can lean on each other and make a real impact on organizational initiatives.

 

5. Addressing Negative Behaviors

Ensuring that any form of negative behavior is promptly addressed and dealt with creates a safer environment for all employees.

 

Establish a Shared Language in your Organization

Give your workforce training on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) 101 and take the first step towards creating sustainable change in your organization and beyond. This training program will be highly customized for your team’s needs, and you will gain a comprehensive understanding of DEIB terms and their significance, as well as explore the importance of finding your collective “Why” behind fostering diversity and inclusion.

 

Written by: Cleo Tubon

When it comes to DEI, language matters…and it’s constantly evolving. Are you using the right terminology in your organization? Download our DEI Terminology Cheat Sheet and see how you stack up.

 

About Catherine Mattice

Catherine Mattice, MA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP is President of consulting and training firm, Civility Partners, and has been successfully providing programs in workplace bullying and building positive workplaces since 2007. Her clients include Fortune 500’s, the military, several universities and hospitals, government agencies, small businesses and nonprofits. She has published in a variety of trade magazines and has appeared several times on NPR, FOX, NBC, and ABC as an expert, as well as in USA Today, Inc Magazine, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur Magazine, and more. Catherine is Past-President of the Association for Talent Development (ATD), San Diego Chapter and teaches at National University. In his book foreword, Ken Blanchard called her book, BACK OFF! Your Kick-Ass Guide to Ending Bullying at Work, “the most comprehensive and valuable handbook on the topic.” She recently released a second book entitled, SEEKING CIVILITY: How Leaders, Managers and HR Can Create a Workplace Free of Bullying.

Celebrate the Season Without Dividing Your Team: Inclusive Holiday Tips

The holiday season may be billed as the most wonderful time of the year, but it’s often a minefield of conflicts waiting to happen. Holidays are deeply personal, sparking joy and nostalgia for some while leaving others feeling excluded or stressed. With 44% of...

3 Ways to Manage Post-Election Stress at Work and Home This Holiday Season

Elections are more than debates and opinions—they’re emotional whirlwinds that don’t end when the polls close. This year, presidential election stress is breaking records, with reported levels higher than in both 2020 and 2016. And the fallout lingers. A University of...

Post-Election Chaos: 3 Ways to Keep Psychological Safety Intact

According to a survey by the American Psychological Association, nearly 70% of Americans view political discourse as a significant source of stress, and workplaces are no exception. In fact, SHRM reports that political and social tensions have driven workplace...

Your CEO thinks HR is operational, not strategic?

Do these comments resonate with you?  Owners don’t understand that we’re not just paperwork. HR is a punching bag expected to resolve everyone’s mess. There’s no HR budget, no support, and a team of 2 for 300+ employees. Even after a workforce survey, leadership still...

Free Webinar: Unlock Your Managers’ Leadership Potential

Being good at your job doesn’t make you good at managing people. You know this.  You also know the outcome when an individual contributor moves to a manager role without receiving the right training – a struggling team, unclear expectations, conflict, disengaged...

5 Tools for Pitching Culture Change to Leadership

You already know that a strong culture leads to engaged employees, lower turnover, and a healthier bottom line, but convincing leadership? That’s a different story. It's exhausting pushing for changes that are dismissed as “soft skills” or shot down because they don't...

Why leadership’s ‘Hands-Off’ approach to culture is costing you more than you think

Picture this: you’re actively working to foster a positive workplace culture, but managers and leaders are adopting a 'hands-off' approach. At first, it seems harmless, even convenient—but beneath the surface, it's quietly wreaking havoc. Top talent? They're slipping...

Elections and Leadership: 3 Ways Your Reaction Can Impact Your Team

Election season tends to bring division and tension, and it’s hard to avoid. Even if you’ve reminded your team to steer clear of political conversations at work, it’s likely that the topic will still pop up here and there. The truth is, having employees with different...

You Have It All Wrong: 4 Ways Employers Can Successfully Influence Well-Being

Did you know that the World Health Organization (WHO) classified burnout as an occupational phenomenon? In other words, while leaders and HR tend to classify burnout as a personal failing, as evidenced in the way they tackle it with offerings of gym memberships and...

5 Tips You Haven’t Seen for Engaging Hybrid And Remote Workers

According to Forbes, one in five workers is working remotely and 98% of workers want to work remotely at least some of the time. Yet, despite the flexibility that hybrid and remote work offer, engagement is a major challenge. In fact, the 2023 State of Remote Work...