While some employers have placed emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives for decades, interest in—and employee expectations for—robust programs and policies have exploded in the past year. 2020 brought rising global consciousness of racial and social injustice along with the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on working mothers. It is more important than ever for organizations to show employees they support diversity, not just put a statement on the company website.

3 Ways to Improve Company Culture with DE&I Efforts

1. Recognize Contributions

Diversity, inclusion, and employee engagement go hand in hand. Research from the Society for Human Resource Management has found a direct link between how satisfied and productive a workforce is and how diverse and inclusive that company is. Employees crave autonomy, development, and purpose from their work. When they are in an environment where they are recognized solely for their skills and contributions, those opportunities can flourish.

2. Build a Sense of Safety

Importantly, fostering a diverse and inclusive environment can encourage a sense of psychological safety among the workforce. Employees from diverse backgrounds feel comfortable sharing innovative ideas and working to their strengths when they see others who have similar experiences to theirs and understand that their role in the organization is valued.

3. Share the Impact

Improved quality of collaboration is another result of strong diversity and inclusion strategies. A diversity of viewpoints, experiences, skills, and even flaws can make a business thrive, as team members complement one another’s capabilities to drive the business forward. When employees feel empowered to bring their whole selves to the organization and can see how their contributions are making a difference, they are much more engaged in their work and connected to the purpose and mission of the company.

When it comes to diversity, inclusion, and employee engagement, it isn’t enough just to bring a diverse pool of talent into the organization—they need to also feel included. One common understanding of this idea is that, if diversity is like being invited to a dance, then inclusion means being actually asked to dance. And to take the concept one step further, organizations should ultimately encourage a sense of belonging where employees feel truly free to dance.

Are you ready to expand your workforce? Work with an experienced staffing agency like Elite Personnel to recruit diverse candidates who fit your inclusive culture. Our staffing and recruiting experts will help you hire talented and qualified candidates in DC and Maryland.