Inequality has long plagued corporate America. Fortunately, many industries are making earnest efforts to promote equality in the workplace. If you own a business or are at the helm of one, here’s how you can work around a lack of diversity and gender wage gaps.
Adjust Your Hiring Process
Titans of industry recommend taking a holistic approach to recruitment practices. In other words, it’s imperative to take all considerations into account both before and during the hiring process. Such factors include where you’re finding potential candidates, the needs of your area, and your employee base. By weighing these components, you wind up with a diverse workforce. Unfortunately, many regard this approach as ineffectual. However, business moguls suggest that holistic methods remove prejudice.
Provide Encouraging Resources
In order for everyone to feel equal, they need to know that their opinions, wants, and needs are of value. Companies can bolster this message by arming staff members with tools that put a premium on exclusivity. For instance, if your team is predominantly white, offer opportunities for non-white workers to talk about their upbringing and culture. Moreover, if your operations are dominated by men, encourage female employees to explore blogs for creative women in business.
Honor Flexibility
Flexibility bodes well for equality. If other employees detect even a whiff of preferential treatment, it’ll sully your reputation and lower morale. For instance, expecting mothers are often shamed by their childless colleagues for taking so much time off of work. While it’s unethical to offer maternity leave to workers who aren’t parents, giving additional time off to those who don’t have kids levels the playing field a little bit. In essence, be mindful of who you’re lenient with and how often.
Embrace Change
Change is the catalyst for equality. Companies that remain loyal to antiquated practices fall short in the equality department. With that said, it’s critical to shift the dialogue, step out of your comfort zone, and implement other changes that foster a fair work environment. With great risk comes great reward, and the more willing your business is to embrace change, the better the outcome is for all.
As the prospect of equality continues to make waves in the business realm, many organizations are beginning to alter how they operate. If you’re looking to establish a workplace that offers equal opportunities, consider the above advice.
Lizzie Weakley is a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors and walks in the park with her three-year-old husky, Snowball.
