How to Introduce Diversity Into the Workplace

Workplaces vary in terms of the number of employees; the smaller the staff, the higher the chance that diversity is limited. As your workplace expands, or when there is a turnover in staff, it is highly likely that your staff's cultural, racial and ethnic makeup will change. Positively introducing and encouraging a diverse workforce contributes to employee satisfaction and higher productivity.

Instructions

1. Use a word-processing program to type up manuals outlining what is expected, what won't be tolerated, and how you intend to reward positive attitudes and actions. Print out enough manuals for each employee.

2. Schedule a casual meeting or conference in which you will inform all employees of your diversity-friendly company policy.

3. At the meeting, pass out the printed manuals and emphasize the positive aspect of welcoming and working with diversity, as opposed to reprimanding those with prejudicial attitudes or actions.

4. Offer benefits for promoting diversity in the workplace (i.e,. surprise bonuses or gifts to those who have actively and genuinely offered assistance to new employees).

5. Maintain an "open-door" policy so employees feel comfortable bringing their concerns to management.

6. Hold monthly in-office lunches to encourage further communication between staff members in a positive, relaxed atmosphere. This helps workers from different departments get to know each other better--thus promoting understanding and more tolerance.

7. Hold employee workshops to receive input on welcoming and promoting diversity in the workplace. Consider hiring a motivational speaker who specializes in this area.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember that people accept changes and diversity more easily if it is done in a positive and upbeat manner. Be consistent with enforcing your policies toward discrimination in the workplace.

• Be cautious about providing repeat incentive bonuses or gifts to the same person(s), as this might promote negative feelings of favoritism among the staff.