Diversity & Inclusion – Diversity in the workplace
Diversity and inclusion have become increasingly important in the world of work in recent years. An inclusive work culture is beneficial for both employees and companies. But what do diversity and inclusion mean? And how can we create an inclusive catering industry? Monica Gil dos Santos, communications expert at Epu Design GmbH, sheds some light on the subject.
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
You may have heard of DE&I (diversity, equity and inclusion) and JEDI (justice, equity, diversity and inclusion). All of these terms refer to how companies deal with diversity, inclusion and heterogeneity among their employees. The aim is to leverage the advantages of diversity and prevent discrimination and the formation of subgroups.
DIVERSITY MANIFESTS ITSELF IN VARIOUS DIMENSIONS
D&I management encompasses various dimensions of diversity: gender, age, health/disability, nationality, ethnicity, language, sexual orientation, religion and world views. Effective D&I management takes into account that these dimensions, as well as experience-related dimensions such as education, expertise, etc., have different influences on the performance of an entire company.
However, diversity does not stop at the team level. Diversity must also be included. This means that diversity within an organisation should also be incorporated in an appreciative and constructive manner. This is where inclusion comes into play.
Diversity management is relevant across all industries and company sizes. Diversity is most evident in the catering industry. The catering and hotel industry brings together countless cultures, job profiles, skills, backgrounds and life stories.
WHY DIVERSITY ENRICHES EVERY COMPANY
Diversity and inclusion across all dimensions have a positive impact on employees and companies. There are many reasons why you should focus on diversity. Diversity and inclusion increase employee motivation and performance, improve customer engagement, enhance talent acquisition and retention, strengthen innovation and increase competitiveness. In an inclusive corporate culture, employees feel valued, respected and heard. And that is exactly what today’s applicants are looking for.
Tackling diversity and inclusion
‘But how can I create an inclusive corporate culture?’ you ask. Diversity and inclusion take time. This is not an overnight process. There are various ways to create an inclusive corporate culture. Below are three general tips that are of utmost importance and will give you a head start on effective diversity management.
Diversity and inclusion begin with internal awareness. Anti-bias measures can help bring unconscious biases to light. Start a conversation with your employees and work together to avoid unconscious prejudices.
Communicate correctly. Use the correct pronouns for your employees, colleagues, partners, guests and prospects. Not sure which gender your employee identifies with? Feel free to ask.
Create a sense of belonging for everyone. Having a diverse team in the workplace is not enough. For your employees to perform at their best, they need to feel like they belong. A sense of belonging not only leads to greater commitment and creativity, but is also a psychological need. Encourage honest conversations, be open to new perspectives, explore opportunities for improvement together and celebrate successes together.
The future of the job market
The future of diversity and inclusion is now. We live in a time when people are increasingly voicing their opinions loudly and publicly. Various events in our society have reinforced the importance of D&I across all dimensions. Across all countries, people want to see social justice and racial equality. Leaders and influential figures recognise this importance, but also the benefits that diversity brings. In order to be successful as a catering company in the future, effective and successful diversity management must be put in place.
Effective and successful diversity management takes time. Give yourself, your employees and your company time to understand their everyday roles and change their behaviour in a sustainable way. Inclusion is an ongoing process, not a one-off training session. The goal is to benefit from a diverse team with different perspectives that feels comfortable, respected, valued and included at work. Only then can your employees, your company and you yourself reach your full potential.
Current studies on D&I can be found at Porter Novelli, McKinsey, Edelman.
The Author
Monica Gil dos Santos, copywriter and communications specialist at Epu Design GmbH.
With international expertise, Monica brings a new story to her clients every day in her role as a communicator. She creatively writes emotional and informative texts for various formats, advises clients and partners on communication strategies, and makes them shine on their social media channels.
EPU DESIGN GMBH
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