Achieving workplace diversity is a challenge that many organizations face. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, women held 47 percent of all jobs in the United States in 2015 but only 26 percent of management, professional, and related positions. The numbers are even more discouraging for people of color: African Americans hold only 6 percent of executive officer positions, and Hispanics hold only 5 percent. If your company wants to increase workplace diversity, it’s essential to develop a plan and put resources into place that support career development for everyone.
Here are some ways to increase workplace diversity:
- Encourage employees to develop their careers. One way to do this is to offer training and development opportunities that help employees progress in their jobs. This can include everything from tuition reimbursement for degree programs to on-the-job training that leads to new responsibilities.
- Make sure your hiring practices are fair. Review your job descriptions to ensure they don’t inadvertently exclude any groups of people. Use diverse recruiting sources to reach a wider pool of candidates, and consider using blind resume screens to remove any bias from the candidate selection process.
- Provide mentorship and networking opportunities. Connect employees with mentors who can help them develop their skills and guide their career paths. Create networking opportunities so employees can meet people from different backgrounds and learn about new perspectives.
- Encourage open communication. Promote an environment where employees feel comfortable sharing their ideas and suggestions. Make it easy for employees to give feedback and address any concerns that are raised in a timely manner.
By taking these steps, you can create a more diverse workplace that supports the career development of all employees.
Diversity in the workplace is essential to having a well-rounded business with different perspectives. It can help you build a stronger team, improve your customer service, and increase your bottom line. If you’re not sure where to start, try implementing some of the suggestions above. With a bit of effort, you can create a more diverse workplace that supports the career development of all employees.