Managing a diverse workforce

In the past few years, many organizations have been trying to increase diversity in the workplace. A survey conducted by the Boston Consulting Group revealed that diverse companies make 19% more revenue than homogeneous ones. Encouraging diversity in your organization attracts more talented candidates and improves productivity and collaboration at work. Here are some of the benefits of having a diverse workforce:

1. Enhances innovative capacity

Organizational culture is directly related to how your employees perceive your business and their creative potential within it. According to a study conducted by Forbes, employees from different backgrounds have different perspectives and experiences, and these are essential to conceiving new ideas. Workplace diversity can help motivate your teams to develop unique products and services, giving your company a competitive edge.

2. Improves productivity

A diverse workforce increases morale and employee productivity in your organization. In an inclusive environment, employees feel more comfortable and confident. This increases engagement and enables everyone to work more efficiently. Workplace diversity also encourages positive competition and motivates your employees to reach and surpass company goals.

3. Eases recruitment and retention 

At a time when the job market is becoming increasingly competitive, having a diverse and inclusive work environment can help attract, recruit, and retain talented candidates. A survey conducted by Glassdoor revealed that 67% of candidates readily accept job offers from firms that support diversity and representation in the workplace. The inclusive work atmosphere helps them feel respected and valued, driving them to stay with the company longer.

4. Leads to better decisions

When employees with diverse perspectives work together, better decisions can be made. There is a higher chance that each employee will perceive a problem in a unique way, leading to more creative solutions. Performance is also enhanced when different perspectives challenge each other.

5. Boosts your company’s reputation

Well-respected organizations employ people from different backgrounds without discrimination. Additionally, with a diverse workforce, the needs of clients from around the globe can be better understood and served. This enhances your company’s reputation for both employees and customers.

With all of these benefits, it’s clear to see that having a diverse workforce can improve the overall success of your business. But how do you manage a diverse organization effectively?

•  Create effective communication channels

Open communication is absolutely necessary in a diverse work environment. It helps ensure equal opportunities. However, in a diverse work atmosphere, establishing open communication can sometimes be a challenge. Try to develop a multichannel communication strategy to ensure that company policies and procedures are understood by all employees. Analyze your organization’s current communication strategy to ensure all your employees have access to important information. It may also be a good idea to discourage slang, euphemisms, and colloquial terms as much as possible.

• Respect employee individuality

In a diverse work environment where everyone has individual preferences, generalizations and stereotypes can alienate your employees. You have to understand that your employees are from different cultural and social backgrounds and may not have common preferences. When the individuality of your employees is respected, they will feel more motivated. Communicate with each of your employees, and try to understand their preferences.

•  Encourage team collaboration

Collaboration is the key to effectively managing a diverse workforce. Only with collaboration can the skills, expertise, and opinions of different employees be brought together. Better collaboration means better company performance. As an HR manager, it’s your duty to develop a conducive environment where your employees feel free to share their opinions and work together.

•  Create an inclusive work environment

Inclusion is diversity put into practice. Without inclusion, diversity is of no use. When everyone feels they are truly included in an organization, employee engagement and participation will increase. Here are some tips on building an inclusive work environment:

➤ Connect with your employees

➤ Ensure equal treatment to all employees

➤ Be empathetic

➤ Develop behavioral standards

➤ Try to create a sense of belonging

• Receive feedback regularly

Employee feedback is very important. Ask your employees to provide feedback and suggestions about the inclusion policies currently in place. This will help you create a more fulfilling and welcoming environment to support each employee. Employees should feel able to provide feedback without the fear of reprisal.

• Educate your manager

Managers should be well educated about the importance of having a diverse workforce and the ways to manage it. Conducting diversity training can reduce discrimination and increase awareness about diversity issues. This can help you develop an inclusive work atmosphere that supports team collaboration. Only when employees are well supported will they be able to use their full potential at work.

Bringing together employees from different backgrounds and providing a proper work atmosphere to help them has strategic benefits. Workplace diversity leaves a positive impression on your employees and customers about your organization and, as a result, your organization’s success will rise. We hope the tips above give you an idea on how to manage a diverse workforce effectively. Create a diverse workforce culture, and enjoy the myriad of benefits associated with it!

With Zoho People, our Human Resource Management System, you can create an inclusive workplace that supports diversity. Using People analytics, one of our prominent features, you can make decisions based on meaningful data. This goes a long way in reducing implicit bias. Also, with features like internal chat, live feeds, forum, etc. employees can collaborate and collaborate well. Click here to know more about Zoho People.

Also read: 10 tips for reducing workplace negativity