Championing equality in the workplace

In an ever-shrinking global community, the UK workforce is adapting to new ways of working, both domestically and internationally. Thriving and diverse organisations are becoming an exciting mix of creativity and innovation which makes it even more important for businesses to ensure that everyone has equal opportunities to work and grow within the organisation. Fostering an environment where people feel appreciated for the work they do, and that their perspectives and objectives are acknowledged, has an even bigger impact on the culture.

The good news is that UK businesses appear to be tackling workplace issues effectively, with 69% of employees feeling that their company treats everyone fairly and equally. There is, however, still work to be done, and HR is the function that has the ability to lead the organisation towards a fair and inclusive future.

Opportunities for all

Promoting equality at work is not only morally right, but also a strategically sound approach to your business plan. A fair and inclusive environment can lead to an improvement of employees’ engagement, which will increase retention, and overall team performance. According to Glassdoor, 76% of employees and applicants say that companies with a diverse workforce is a deciding factor when applying for jobs. Equality not only ensures your employees feel seen and appreciated, but also means that they can share lived experiences and new concepts that others may not know about. Solving issues and understanding that not everyone sees and encounters life in the same way, can have an impact on retention, talent acquisition and even boost the bottom line with greater productivity as employees feel more secure.

Recognising inequality

The first step in understanding DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) is identifying where your business currently falls short. This can include issues such as lack of diversity in leadership, pay disparities or access to opportunities for development and progression. There is also the matter of discriminatory behaviour which could be happening within your team, whether they realise this or not.

Implementing a DEI policy and ensure this is regularly reviewed and communicated to your team, is paramount so employees know their responsibilities and what is needed to succeed together. Putting tools in place to monitor employee sentiment can also flag inequalities and help HR form a strategy to ensure everyone feels psychologically safe and their opinions are valued.

Driving positive change

Mandatory training in areas such as unconscious bias, inclusive leadership, and cultural awareness will promote accountability for anyone who does not adhere to the policies and culture within your business. It is also important to open the floor to your employees to share what they believe will improve their time at work, so that their colleagues and management can help make the necessary changes for them to feel comfortable and appreciated when they’re doing their job.

Ultimately, HR plays a pivotal role in embedding the ideals of equality into your workplace. By championing these practices, businesses can build an environment in which everyone has the opportunity to thrive and business flourishes. There is no more room for complacency or lack of awareness in today’s workplace, and HR is the team to lead and embrace change.

To learn more about what you can do for your team, request a demo with our sales team.