The Importance of Diversity and Inclusion In the Workplace

Kathy George, Executive Vice President of Franchise Development and Growth, Spherion Staffing and Recruitin

As a woman from the Caribbean who immigrated to America more than 30 years ago, I understand firsthand how crucial it is for companies to celebrate diversity within their organizations. Early in my professional life, I did everything in my power to assimilate – I flat ironed my hair, toned down my native accent, and tried to look and act like those around me in order to blend in. Now, I’m at a point where I’m more confident about being an authentic “me,” and I work for a fantastic company that puts great effort towards cultivating a genuinely equitable, inclusive and diverse workforce. As thankful as I am to be where I am today, I recognize that there is still quite a bit of work to be done.

Putting Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) at the forefront of hiring is socially imperative and vital to an organization’s development. Some might consider diversity a “hot topic.” But facilitating ongoing conversations about race, gender, ethnicity, and other human characteristics that define us and influence our actions allows businesses to take real action that creates a culture of safety where differences and perspectives are celebrated.

D&I at Work And Where to Start

Tackling a delicate and nuanced topic like diversity can be overwhelming for a company operating similarly for decades. Employers are also often afraid of doing and saying the wrong thing, but if you are open to improvement and vulnerable about what you don’t know, you can create a safe space for you and your employees to learn with and from one another.

We all hold social stereotypes about certain groups – whether consciously or not – that impact how we think about and interact with them. Simply acknowledging unconscious bias in the workplace is a huge step company can take in its diversity and inclusion efforts. By knowing what unconscious biases are and identifying which are most likely to impact your business, you’re on the right track to creating a more inclusive culture.

As Simple As It May Sound, Representation Matters And Facilitating An Environment Where People Feel Comfortable Being Themselves At Work Is Essential

Establishing an official committee or council focused on diversity is another fantastic tactic. At Spherion, I lead an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Council comprising our local office employees, franchise owners and other corporate team members. The council gives us an official setting to implement a deliberate approach to address D&I-related topics and create concrete plans for the future. An official committee with the blessing to spend time and effort on D&I and daily operational business activities signals that leadership is taking it seriously. It offers a chance for coworkers to learn from each other about this topic and creates a safe space for people to debate ideas about how the company should move forward.

Leveraging the help of outside organizations with extensive experience in this area is also an excellent approach for companies just getting started. Aside from our D&I Council, at Spherion, we regularly invest time and resources to ensure D&I practices are woven into our policies and mindsets. Our hiring practices comply with all U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission guidelines. We consult our clients’ D&I policies, often sharing our efforts and advancements to help them move the needle forward. We ensure that these conversations aren’t just happening at the executive level but that the decisions we make directly impact our franchisees, clients, employees and the underrepresented people in each local community we serve.

Why D&I in The Workplace is Important

On a macro level, inclusion in the workplace inherently creates a diversity of thought. When employees embrace their unique backgrounds and skills and can show up authentically without fearing ridicule, they feel more comfortable offering creative solutions and bringing new ideas to the table that can drive a business forward. By extension, this builds a better brand and makes the company more attractive to job seekers, instilling a sense of relatability among customers and employees.

The future workforce is also looking for more diverse work environments. Gen Z is the most racially and ethnically diverse generation in history. For many, working for a company that promotes and embodies a diverse workforce is a preference and a requirement. Plus, quantifiable research proves that companies with diverse leadership outperform less diverse ones in the same vertical. Diversity in the workplace leads to a better/stronger bottom line, so in order to survive and ultimately thrive, businesses must carefully examine and update their EDI practices.

Finally, and most importantly, I can say from personal experience being part of a workforce that celebrates you for what makes you different helps to create more confident, capable and happy employees. I was recently promoted to Executive Vice President of Franchise Development and Growth at Spherion, a role I’m extremely proud and honored to take on. I also know that being a woman of color in this position holds much meaning. Several people have come up to me throughout my career to share how proud they are to see themselves represented through me. They find greater confidence and hope in themselves simply because someone who looks like them was given an opportunity they never thought was possible.

As simple as it may sound, representation matters and facilitating an environment where people feel comfortable being themselves at work is essential. You must make a concerted effort to create a truly inclusive workplace that lifts the voices of every employee. It may be hard work, but I can assure you the benefits are well worth it.