Transform Your Office: Our Essential Guide to Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace
Tsvetelina Hinova
15 July 2024
Creating a flourishing workplace means embracing diversity and inclusion with open arms. But what do these terms really mean? Why should you care?
Picture your office as a party—diversity is inviting everyone you know, and inclusion is making sure they’re all dancing and nobody’s putting baby in a corner—apologies, we’re on our 50th rewatch of Dirty Dancing.
Every part of your 9-to-5 can benefit from more diversity and inclusion (D&I), from onboarding to daily interactions. It’s not just about ticking boxes—it’s about creating a space where your coworkers can be their authentic selves.
In this guide from Thankbox, we’ll explore why diversity and inclusion are essential to your workplace, the fantastic perks they bring, and practical tips to turn your office into a beacon of inclusivity.
Ready to transform your office into a place where everyone wants to work? Let’s get started!
What is diversity and inclusion in the workplace?
Diversity and inclusion are clear policies, strategies, and procedures that promote a vibrant mix of voices in the workplace. Surprisingly, almost half of UK companies don’t have a D&I strategy in place. Let’s change that.
But before we dive into the strategies, let’s clear a few things up. While diversity and inclusion go hand-in-hand in developing strong company values, they’re separate things.
Here’s a bit more detail:
What is diversity?
Diversity is the presence of differences within a given setting, and in the workplace, this means employing individuals from various backgrounds, including different races, genders, ages, ethnicities, religions, disabilities, and sexual orientations.
As you can see, there are many types of diversity. Let’s take a closer look:
Internal diversity: Characteristics you are born with or are difficult to change, such as race, gender, age, ethnicity, and physical abilities.
External diversity: Factors that relate to an individual but aren’t intrinsic, such as marital status, education, geographic location, and socio-economic status.
Organisational diversity: Related to differences within an organisation, such as job functions, departments, seniority, management status, and work locations.
Worldview diversity: Differences in perspectives, beliefs, and experiences, including political beliefs, moral values, cultural norms, and life experiences.
What is inclusion?
Inclusion is all about how we treat people in the workplace. It’s making sure that everyone, regardless of their background, feels valued, respected, and has the same access to resources and opportunities.
It’s about creating an environment where all employees can participate and feel a sense of belonging. After all, when people feel included, they’re more likely to be engaged, committed, and motivated at work.
Celebrate Diversity and Inclusion with Thankbox!
Celebrate the unique contributions of your diverse team with Thankbox! Whether it’s marking a work anniversary or showing appreciation for a job well done, Thankbox makes it easy to send unique group greeting cards and gifts online.
The benefits of diversity and inclusion in the workplace
If you’re looking for something that benefits your company and your employees, embracing diversity and inclusion is the way to go. It’s not just about being the right thing to do—here’s how everyone comes out ahead:
1. Happy employees, high engagement
When employees see themselves represented and included, their job satisfaction and morale levels go through the roof. Knowing their voices matter makes them feel more connected and committed to their work, leading to higher engagement.
2. Innovation at its best
A diverse team is brimming with different perspectives and ideas, making it a hotbed for creativity and innovation. Employees with varied life experiences are more likely to think outside the box and provide unique solutions, driving your company forward.
3. Better employee well-being
In a nutshell, you can’t have inclusion without belonging—essential for mental and emotional well-being. After all, there’s nothing worse than feeling like you’re shouting into the void and hearing your ideas back.
When your teammates recognise your support, they’re happier and healthier. Plus, it reduces quiet quitting and absenteeism—a win-win!
4. Winning company reputation
As the old saying goes, “How you’re perceived is how you’re received.” Companies that put diversity and inclusion front and centre are seen as more progressive and much more socially responsible. These actions help boost your reputation with clients, customers, and employees.
5. Recruitment
A strong focus on diversity and inclusion makes you much more attractive to top talent. When people see a company that values different perspectives and supports all employees, they’re naturally more likely to want to join.
In fact, two out of three applicants search for companies that have diverse workforces. This means better recruitment, higher retention rates, and a wider talent pool.
Now that we’ve covered the benefits let’s move on to making it a reality…
How to build a diverse and inclusive workplace
Creating a diverse and inclusive workplace can seem tricky, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are some simple tips to help you make your workplace more supportive:
Expand your recruitment
To attract a diverse pool of candidates, think creatively and outside traditional channels. Partner with organisations focussing on underrepresented groups, attend job fairs catering to diverse populations, and post job openings on diverse job boards.
Make sure your job descriptions are free of biased language and highlight your company’s commitment to D&I. Consciously reaching out to underrepresented groups, such as women, people of colour, and differently-abled individuals, brings untapped talent to the table.
For instance, gender-diverse companies outperform those lacking in gender diversity by a whopping 48%!
Celebrate diversity
Show appreciation for the unique backgrounds that make up your workforce by celebrating multiple cultural and social events throughout the year—perfect for building a more inclusive culture.
Host fun events, engaging workshops, and open discussions to promote awareness of different cultures and perspectives. One great way to do this is by using Thankbox, a tool that makes group gifting super easy and personal.
Thankbox lets you send one-of-a-kind group greeting e-cards for any occasion—work anniversaries, birthdays, congratulations, to name a few! Our digital cards take just a minute to set up, and since you can open them on any device, they last a lifetime.
Create a Thankbox digital card bursting with personalised messages, GIFs, photos, and videos. Just share a simple link, and people can contribute from all over the world. It’s a fantastic way to involve everyone without even leaving your desk!
Plus, Thankbox comes with wonderful extras like flower delivery and digital gift cards, usable at over 1,000 retailers worldwide. Making it a dream come true for fans of M&S, John Lewis, and even Airbnb!
D&I training sessions
Regularly conduct training sessions to help your employees recognise and reduce unconscious biases. Training should cover topics like implicit bias, cultural competence, and the importance of wide-ranging perspectives in the workplace.
Consider the following:
Provide specialised training for leaders: Equip them with the knowledge and skills to create inclusive teams and address diversity-related challenges—we’ll dive into this later.
Ongoing refresher training: Regular updates ensure that your team continues to engage with and understand new developments in diversity and inclusion practises.
Offer resources: Give employees access to online learning platforms, reading materials, and other resources to help them better understand D&I concepts.
By participating in regular diversity and inclusion training, your coworkers become more aware of their own biases while learning to improve their workplace communication skills. This helps create what every professional hopes for—a harmonious workplace.
Invest in equal opportunities
Provide equal access to career development avenues, including training programmes, workshops, and mentorship opportunities that help employees from diverse backgrounds advance their skills and careers.
Establish clear and transparent criteria for promotions and performance evaluations so everyone has a fair chance to succeed.
Teach leaders to embrace diversity
Inclusion starts at the top. Hold educational sessions and meetings to explain and discuss D&I concepts. Recognise events like Pride Month with activities to help leaders understand its significance and history.
Include diversity and inclusion goals in their performance reviews and set measurable objectives. Encourage leaders to participate in D&I initiatives and remodel their leadership styles to find the best fit. Most importantly, remember to lead by example.
Be authentic
Authenticity matters more than ever. Consumers, investors, and supporters put integrity first. So, celebrate your D&I achievements and be open about the challenges and lessons learned.
People appreciate honesty and are more interested in your commitment to doing better rather than perfection 24/7. Don’t sweep your mistakes under the rug—own up to them and improve.
Celebrate Diversity and Inclusion with Thankbox!
Celebrate the unique contributions of your diverse team with Thankbox! Whether it’s marking a work anniversary or showing appreciation for a job well done, Thankbox makes it easy to send unique group greeting cards and gifts online.
Clarify your vision
Let’s be honest: launching D&I initiatives without explaining your vision is like throwing a party without sending out invites. Employees are left guessing what’s going on and how to join in.
Take a moment to share your goals clearly. Let everyone know how you plan to weave diversity and inclusion into the workday and the steps you’ll take to get there. Simply put, clear communication keeps everyone on the same page.
Wrapping up
Creating a thriving workplace means welcoming diversity and inclusion with open arms.
From recruiting diverse talent to providing equal opportunities and celebrating cultural events, every step you take towards D&I benefits both your employees and your company. Promote your vision and build a more inclusive, innovative, and engaged workforce.
As we mentioned earlier, one fantastic way to celebrate inclusivity is with Thankbox. Create a Thankbox today and make someone’s day special. It’s the easiest way to celebrate together, even when you’re apart.
Images: Cover | Multiracial colleagues shaking hands | Women laughing | Female holding a multicoloured heart
