Workplace values, like diversity, are an essential aspect of any work environment. Whether you work from home or need to be in an office, employees need to adhere to certain unspoken standards of work ethics.
In other words, workplace values can be considered as a set of guiding principles that will help to shape the way you and your colleagues work together. When specific values are shared to be expected in order to work together in a professional setting, fewer misunderstandings will occur.
A happier, more cohesive and understanding environment will grow out of such a nurturing environment. And that’s got to be a win-win situation for everyone.
With all that being said, what are some of these workplace values that can help to improve the overall quality of your work environment?
In this article, you will be able to find out more about the workplace value of diversity and 3 ways you can practice diversity at your office.
What is diversity?
Sure, you and I know what the term generally asks of anyone in a social setting. However, what exactly does it mean?
According to Lexico.com, diversity refers to “the practice or quality of including or involving people from a range of different social and ethnic backgrounds and of different genders, sexual orientations, etc”.
In other words, diversity could also refer to the act of inclusivity for individuals from all walks of life – regardless of their background.
When placed into the context of a working environment, diversity can take on many forms at the workplace. As with any workplace value, we use diversity as a guiding principle to help us make better decisions as a colleague, and more importantly, as an individual.
How then we can apply it at the workplace? Read on to find out 🙂
How to practice diversity at the office?
Practicing the workplace value of diversity at the office doesn’t actually call for much effort! Meaning to say, that it does not need to be big or outlandish gestures.
We practice diversity through the simple, and daily acts of our everyday lifestyle. As such, here are 3 steps you can take to start practicing diversity within your own office space.
Hire them
Hiring individuals irregardless of their background is one of the first steps you can take to practice diversity at the workplace.
In order to create a diverse working environment, hiring managers and employers will need to ensure that they themselves are not practising any bias. Ensure that every potential job employee or candidate is screened only based on their qualifications.
Do not let factors such as age, race, religion, gender or any such divisional categories affect your decision making process. That’s one way to demonstrate diversity at the workplace.
As Mahatma Gandhi once said, “Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilisation”.
And so, hire them regardless of anyone’s background. That’s one way to practice the workplace value of diversity.
Share your openness towards diversity
One can practice diversity at the workplace simply by sharing the fact that his or her company is diverse!
On an individual level, share with those around you as well as those who are looking to join a workplace of the fact that your firm is open to inclusivity. At the corporate level, ensure that you share your openness towards diversity on the company’s webpage.
This will help to inform job applicants and other interested parties of your firm’s commitment to a diverse workplace. Additionally, ensure that your HR team also includes a simple note sharing the same message when putting out job adverts.
Implementing these simple steps will help both you and your firm workplace to practice the value of diversity.
Constantly reassess your efforts
The third, but perhaps, the most effective way you can practise the workplace value of diversity at your office is by constantly reassessing your efforts.
Take the necessary steps to reflect and consider if all effort has if, in fact, actually being been pumped to ensure diversity at work. Are your teams diverse when working on different projects?
Are all the staff receiving ample employee benefits? Do you find these benefits fair to everyone? If not, what can you do to ensure that diversity is practiced at your firm? Take every possible opportunity to question such scenarios!
Take active steps to constantly reassess your efforts and make everyone feel equally appreciated! You’d be practicing the workplace value of diversity.
What's next?
And there you have it – a piece on an absolutely critical workplace value of diversity. We hope the information in this article has helped you get a clearer idea of how you can better practice diversity at the workplace.
Instilling workplace values, like the above, at your office can rake in numerous benefits for every employee. Remember, a little effort can go a long way to ensure a happy and successful workplace for everyone!
Keep a lookout for other workplace values we will be discussing as part of this series soon! Searching for a new workplace that practices these workplace values? On the hunt for a new job?
If you’re on the lookout for jobs within other industries that are nonetheless located in Singapore, here’s an article that shares with you the top 19 job portals in Singapore.
No matter the industry or the position, remember to visit GrabJobs to find a job opportunity in Singapore easily!
