Companies can help encourage respect for diversity in the workplace.
Encouraging respect for diversity in the workplace is a long-ranging, multi-faceted goal for companies. To encourage real respect for diversity rather than superficial tolerance, companies must spend some time and planning to create a systemic overhaul among employees that fosters genuine sentiments and positive teambuilding.
Instructions
Preparing for Program Changes
1. Establish the company baseline. Spend some time researching the company's current position regarding respect for diversity in the workplace. Look into the company history for any evidence of previous successes with workplace diversity respect, or evidence of any previous problems. Gather existing workplace policies for recruitment, hiring, anti-harassment and performance benefit programs.
2. Consider goals for respect for workplace diversity. Talk with colleagues and company administrators to determine specific objectives and goals. Examples of goals might include establishing and committing to workplace diversity principles, recognizing the values of workplace diversity, integrating principles into business and human resources practices or creating a harmonious workplace environment.
Goals might also include treating others with respect and dignity, making decisions based on equity and fairness or taking action to eliminate discrimination.
3. Develop strategies to meet workplace diversity objectives. Designate a senior executive who will be responsible for workplace diversity and fostering respect. Strategies should be specific and target the following areas: preventing discrimination, incorporating employee diversity as a company strength and eliminating disadvantages for different groups.
Each strategy should be paired with performance indicators for monitoring purposes. Strategies might include communicating the message that a company values diversity, eliminating counter-productive hiring practices such as quotas or word-or-mouth advertising or opening training opportunities to all employees.
Initiating Change
4. Implement the program to encourage respect for workplace diversity. Print and distribute copies of the new program to all employees and provide time for discussion on how it will be implemented. Training programs and workshops may be appropriate. These may be administered internally, or a company may choose to contract with an outside specialist to facilitate discussions.
5. Monitor progress. Use previously established performance indicators to monitor the workplace diversity respect program's success. For example, monitor changes to the company employee profile, noting employment status, recruitment or retention patterns relating to workplace diversity. Monitoring might be done using progress reports or feedback from staff or management personnel.
6. Evaluate results. Use the baseline data gathered in Step One to compare with data once the program has been running. Quantitive data is helpful, but subjective information about employee perceptions may also help companies tailor workplace diversity respect programs to perform more effectively.
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