While the United States has undoubtedly come far regarding racial equality, there is still work to do, especially in the workplace. Many forget that diversity is the lifeblood of ideas and improvement and is critical to the advancement of all businesses, big or small. To help mitigate racism in one of its most insidious forms, read on to learn how to promote racial equity in the workplace.
Personal and Interpersonal Approaches
It is essential to understand that everyone gets raised with particular biases and beliefs, but what matters most are the steps we take moving forward to recognize and change those biases and beliefs. And because racism is one of the most common forms of workplace discrimination, we must start at the personal and interpersonal levels.
To approach the issue at an individual level, encourage professional development opportunities that focus on harboring a safe work environment and personal growth. This includes bias training for hiring staff, management, and the general staff.
On an interpersonal level, all employees should have the opportunity to speak on how to make the overall workplace culture more inclusive and have a chance at leadership roles. Once you establish a more inclusive company culture, familiarize new employees with that culture. Everyone should be on the same page regarding values and expectations.
Strategies at the Organizational Level
At the company level, there are two main areas of focus: leadership and recruitment. In terms of leadership, management should develop a plan that includes a company mission and overall vision. Once this plan is in place, tangible and reasonable goals should be set to measure progress and make necessary adjustments.
In the area of recruitment, the first step is to evaluate listings, how they’re worded, where they’re posted, and if they are transparent. Next, adjust the hiring process to prioritize more diverse recruitment practices. Analyze and determine if your company’s hiring practices are free from biased language and inappropriate and possibly discriminatory questions. It’s also wise to ensure that your recruitment team is also diverse.
Involving Communities
To promote racial equity in the workplace at the community level, the company should try and involve communities of color in all areas of practice. Involve people of color in leadership roles and decision-making processes, and any outside contractors like speakers, vendors, or other partners should be equally diverse. If applicable, and if the company can, promote organizations that support and serve people of color or are run by people of color.
When you take a moment to consider and reevaluate your company’s processes, you take a huge leap forward at promoting racial equity.
