How to Recognize a Diversity of Personal Values
Workplace diversity is a given in modern businesses and organizations. People of all ages, backgrounds and affiliations are hired for their expertise, experience and sensibilities. It's essential that workplaces also recognize and embrace their employees' diversity of personal values and beliefs. Open communication with employees and the participation of the human resources department should set the stage for a workplace atmosphere of tolerance and respect for people's differences that promotes unity around common professional goals.
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Things You'll Need
- Conference room
- Office space
- Business or organizational mission statement
Instructions
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Establish common workplace values and explain how they help the organization or business accomplish its mission. In the modern workplace, it's assumed that employees will have different personal values and philosophies, but few people could argue against core business values like honesty, respect, open communication and professionalism. Clearly stating these values can help bring employees together and set them on track to accomplishing company goals.
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Make it clear that personal differences between workers, including political and religious beliefs, are to be set aside since employees are expected to work as a team. It is not necessary to ban religious icons or political slogans. Rather, deal with any issues that may arise on a case-by-case basis. If controversial symbols are ostentatious and cause open debate, arrange a private meeting with the employee in question to discuss removal of the article.
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Acknowledge milestones in employees' lives in ways that still maintain professional rules of conduct. Recognizing a wedding, new baby, graduation or house purchase can bring a touch of humanity to the workplace, allowing employees to see that while they are all individuals, they often celebrate common joys. If your workplace is fast-paced and deadline-driven, it might be better to arrange a monthly meeting dedicated to non-work-related team building, or simply have everyone sign a card to be given to the honoree.
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Set up a procedure to calmly defuse tense situations and open discussion. If certain employees have a difficult working relationship because of differences in personal values - whether they be political, moral or religious - it's important to avoid taking sides. Human resources should be brought in immediately if two feuding co-workers are disrupting the workplace. Private meetings should be held with each co-worker. Make sure both are informed of the workplace policies on tolerance and professionalism. Once aggressions have died down, hold a meeting with both and ask them to come up with steps they can take to avoid further confrontation.
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Foster a work environment where employees feel free to share in private their impressions about the workplace or aspects of their personal lives without fear of retribution. The human resources department should engage with workers to let them know that they are welcome to raise issues without risk to their jobs. Above all, emphasize professionalism and respect for others.
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Put it in writing. Post the workplace rules so that workers can be reminded often of the behavior that is expected of them on the job. Create a workplace declaration that says employees will always behave with sensitivity toward others. Let new hires know immediately what the expectations are. But know when not to put it in writing. Keep business correspondence and phone conversations free from references to sensitive topics like religion and politics. Likewise, keep professional and personal concerns explicitly separate in meetings.
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References
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