Celebrating Workplace Diversity

Diverse staff is better equipped to meet the needs of a diverse clientele while bringing in different perspectives and celebrating the diversity of an organisation allows all members to feel their values, beliefs and experiences are fully appreciated. Incorporate cultural diversity awareness throughout the workplace.

Step 1
Write a corporate diversity plan to place emphasis on cultivating and supporting a diverse workforce. Use the plan to encourage an acceptance of all employees, regardless of background. Incorporate the emphasis on diversity into the company's mission and vision statements.

Step 2
Train all employees on cultural diversity. Provide learning opportunities to improve communication and collaboration with people from different backgrounds.

Step 3
Hold special events, such as group lunches and other social events outside of work hours. These events will give all employees the chance to get to know one another on a more personal level. They will also open up the opportunity to learn more about the various cultures represented in your workplace.

Step 4
Support the advancement of diverse employees. Pay for membership into professional organizations that support employees from diverse backgrounds.

Step 5
Dedicate a bulletin board display to celebrating cultural diversity. Allow employees to post pictures or information about their backgrounds. Include all employees in the bulletin board to create a diverse display.

Step 6
Highlight holidays and special dates from all cultures represented in the workplace when creating company calendars and newsletters. Provide a short article about major holidays celebrated by employees in the company newsletter.

Step 7
Highlight different cultures through diversity days. Encourage everyone in the office to bring food they traditionally eat for a workplace potluck.

Celebrating workplace diversity can provide tremendous benefits in terms of improved morale, outside-the-box thinking, greater teamwork, and an atmosphere of mutual understanding and respect.

Honouring others Diversity can help to bridge the gap between us and those who are different from us and trust is built when respect is felt.

Vercida works with over one hundred clients who are committed to creating an inclusive work environment. If you are an employer and interested in working with Vercida to promote your diversity and inclusion initiatives and attract the best candidates, please call 02037405973 or email [email protected] for more information.

We are also officially recommended by Disability Confident as a step on achieving Employer status, please click here for more information.