Building an inclusive workplace culture

Creating a workplace where every employee feels valued and respected is important. Doing so can help your business to thrive from the inside out. A focus on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) will help to support this. Small and medium-sized businesses must build a strong, supportive internal network, so everyone can work together in a respectful environment. Let's break down DEIB, why it matters and how to make sure your business is inclusive.

What is DEIB?

DEIB are the values that help people to feel safe and appreciated at work. 

• Diversity recognises that people are unique. They come from diverse backgrounds, have different ethnicities, and enjoy different things. People also have different gender identities, abilities and ages. 
• Equity is about fairness. It makes sure that everyone has equal access to resources and opportunities. This can be especially important for people who have been overlooked or underrepresented.
• Inclusion means creating a space where everyone has a voice and is valued. No one should feel ignored or left out.
• Belonging completes the picture. It's about creating a culture where people feel they fit in and are accepted for who they are.

Strong DEIB policies and practices will contribute to happy and engaged employees. By prioritising DEIB, you invest in your people and your business. This is key to long-term success.

Getting started

It might feel overwhelming to know where to start with implementing DEIB practices in your business. Taking small, steady steps can create big change. You don’t need to put pressure on yourself to tackle everything at the same time. 

Here’s what you can start doing to drive DEIB.

What’s the culture like now?

Get a snapshot of what your team thinks of the culture now. You could run an anonymous survey for honest feedback. It’s best to frame it as a tool for improvement, not just a ‘report card’. You can use this, and your team demographics, pay and turnover, to find gaps or patterns. This’ll give you a good starting point and help you to figure out what to focus on first.

Set clear goals

Your survey might indicate a need for more diversity in leadership roles. A mentoring programme for underrepresented staff could be a good thing to set up. It’ll lead to professional growth within your team and boost the skillset of your employees. You could also look at your hiring practices. For example, making sure that current and future job descriptions are inclusive, or partnering with an organisation that supports diverse hiring. Aim for slow progress, not rushed changes. 

Create inclusive policies and practices

Building an inclusive workplace culture starts with policies. Your policies must make sure that there’s equal access to resources and opportunities. For example, flexible work can help working parents and carers. Cultural holidays let employees celebrate their heritage. It also shows you have respect for them. 

BrightHR can provide expert support with creating, or reviewing your existing, policies to make sure they are inclusive. Contact BrightHR for further information.

DEIB is a journey, not a destination

Creating an inclusive workplace is a continual effort. You need a desire to learn, and leadership skills to help you adapt. DEIB initiatives aren't about ticking boxes. They're about creating a culture of respect, fairness and understanding at work. Each step you take will move your business closer to a place where all employees feel at home and valued. It’ll also set your business up for success.

We hope you’ve found this helpful. Bright HR can provide expert HR support.

And you can visit our learning page for more useful content on human resources and recruitment.