Employers play a fundamental role in creating a work environment in which everyone feels valued and empowered, so they are responsible for promoting practices to have more inclusive and equitable workplaces for all their workers. Some steps that can be implemented little by little may include implementing practices such as:
1. Actively seek diverse talent and perspectives in leadership positions to reflect a wide range of experiences and ideas that assist with inclusion practices in the workplace.
2. Provide ongoing training: Offer diversity, equity, and inclusion training for all employees. With this, understanding, empathy, and awareness of unconscious biases can be instilled in teams.
3. Foster an inclusive culture: Encourage open discussions and create safe spaces where employees feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and concerns without fear of retaliation or discrimination from their colleagues.
4. Offer support: Implement policies that support work-life balance and address barriers that could disproportionately affect certain groups within the workforce.
5. Ensure equal opportunities: Provide equal opportunities for professional development, ensuring that biases do not hinder anyone’s progress.
6. Hold leaders accountable: Hold department leaders responsible for fostering an inclusive environment, regularly measuring progress, and ensuring that leaders champion diversity and inclusion efforts.
7. Collaborate with community organizations: Support initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion. Participating in outreach programs and partnerships reflects your organization’s equity commitment.
By prioritizing these actions, employers can create a workplace where all workers feel valued and respected in the place where they work, avoiding cases of harassment and discrimination due to differences in culture, origin, and preferences, among others.
