Diversity Equity And Inclusion Activities

Published: 2024-07-04
Views: 268
Author: Contributor
Published in: Education

A diverse workforce is essential for any organization. It includes individuals with a broad range of characteristics, extending beyond just skin color, hair, appearance, religion, and ethnicity.

Diversity also encompasses crucial factors like personality, education, interests, hobbies, and sexual orientation, along with race, talents, cognitive styles, and abilities. People from various backgrounds and cultures come together to enrich the workforce.

In today’s competitive landscape, retaining diverse talent is crucial, which brings us to the concept of inclusion. Inclusion involves efforts to ensure employees feel integral to their teams, regardless of differences. It aims to create an environment where diversity is acknowledged and valued.

Without inclusion, diversity loses its significance. As an employer or manager, prioritizing diversity and inclusion is key to an effective talent management strategy.

Most employers put considerable effort into their diversity and inclusion initiatives. These efforts contribute to a happier workplace and better financial performance.

Top Diversity and Inclusion Activities in the Workplace

1. Diversity Briefings

This critical activity promotes diversity and inclusion. Team managers can organize monthly meetings to discuss and develop various diversity initiatives. For instance, employees from different backgrounds can share significant holidays or traditions, which can help in planning time off accordingly. This fosters cultural knowledge and enhances interpersonal understanding.

2. Diversity and Inclusion in Flower Petals

In this activity, groups of 4-10 members create a large flower with a central core and petals representing each participant. Each member writes something unique about themselves on a petal, excluding physical traits. The center of the flower contains something common to all. Sharing these flowers with other groups encourages social interaction and understanding.

3. Snapshot Board

A photo board showcasing personal milestones and memories can spark meaningful conversations. Displaying such mementos in a professional space highlights diverse experiences, fostering mutual respect and dignity among coworkers.

4. Happy Hour Events

Office happy hours should be more than just drinks; they should serve as networking opportunities with a plan and purpose. These events allow employees to connect personally and engage in conversations beyond typical work interactions.

5. Privilege Walk

Participants take steps forward or backward based on statements about privileges or disadvantages. This activity helps employees recognize their own privileges and fosters discussions on inclusivity and understanding.

6. Story-Link Posting

Use internal communication tools to share stories or real-life incidents that highlight employee uniqueness. This activity encourages conversations on various topics and helps employees find common ground.

7. Dish-to-Pass Potluck

Organize a potluck where employees bring dishes from their cultures or heritage. This event offers a chance to enjoy diverse cuisines and serves as a conversation starter, promoting cultural exchange and connection.

8. Mini Events

Utilize common areas for small cultural events and discussions. For example, celebrating Juneteenth can involve discussions on its significance, with cultural elements like food and music. These events educate employees about diversity and encourage open conversations.

9. Diversity Calendar

Instead of only celebrating standard holidays, recognize a variety of multicultural holidays. An interactive diversity calendar can boost employee engagement by promoting awareness of different cultural celebrations.

10. Book Discussions

Encourage employees to read books on diversity and inclusion. Understanding diverse narratives helps in empathizing with different experiences, breaking down misconceptions, and fostering a more inclusive workplace.

11. Step Apart, Step Together

This activity highlights differences and similarities. Team members step forward or backward based on shared traits or differences, emphasizing that despite some gaps, common grounds unite people.

Diversity and inclusion activities should be an integral part of every organization. They are key to gaining a competitive edge and fostering an inclusive workplace. The activities listed above can help in effectively promoting diversity and inclusion.

Prospects of DEI Initiatives
 

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, or DEI for short, aims to create positive work environments where all employees are treated with respect and feel heard, accepted, and respected.

DEI activities are specialized team-building exercises intended to introduce a varied community to one another, show interest in one another's cultural and ethnic heritage, and celebrate differences while working toward shared goals, even though many firms have implemented DEI projects.

Numerous employees, according to research, want their employers to carry out DEI initiatives:

• According to 56% of workers, emphasizing DEI at work is beneficial (Pew Research)
   
• Diversity is crucial, according to 76% of workers and job seekers, when evaluating employment offers (LinkedIn)
   
• 80% of workers desire to be employed by organizations that prioritize DEI issues. (LinkedIn)

DEI initiatives have an impact on business results as well because more diverse companies perform better than their counterparts:

• Teams that are inclusive are 35% more productive, and diverse businesses generate 2.5 times more cash flow per employee. Additionally, diverse teams tend to make better choices. In 87% of cases (LinkedIn)
   
• According to McKinsey & Company, businesses with ethnic diversity in the top quartile are 36% more lucrative than those with it in the bottom quartile.
   
• 20% of workers at organizations with DEI programs plan to stay put (Catalyst)
   

Therefore, among the advantages of DEI activities are:

• Draw in and keep elite talent
• Acquire a competitive edge
• Increased profitability
• A rise in output
• Better judgment

Research has repeatedly demonstrated that businesses that have a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) outperform others in the competitive landscape., as stated by Rhonda Moret, founder of Elevated Diversity, a company that assists businesses in integrating DEI into their cultures. "There are just so many elements that having a strong DEI program or approach supports, whether from a financial perspective, retention, innovation, creativity, and engagement."

How to Select DEI Activities

Although the advantages of DEI for both employers and employees are obvious, you shouldn't just surf the internet for ideas and throw together any old activity you come across. Instead, it's crucial to select diversity activities that your staff members enjoy and that foster empathy and understanding.

Selecting appropriate activities can be difficult if your firm is new to DEI aspects. Think about the purpose of your program and extend some forgiveness and understanding; if you don't get it perfect the first time, use it as a learning experience that advances your company's development.

It all comes down to embracing inclusivity. That's the main goal to ensure that no one feels left out, and some actions may unintentionally have negative effects, according to Moret.
 

Consider DEI initiatives that have these characteristics.

1. Give wellness a priority

Wellness should be the first priority in diversity and inclusion initiatives, and staff members should feel welcomed, at ease, and self-assured. Think about how each exercise might make you feel, and realize that wellness should meet people wherever they are in their journey toward health.

According to Moret, "DEI ties back to mental wellbeing as well." "There are many advantages if staff members feel secure and at ease in their roles."
 

2. Holistic

DEI includes social, mental, and physical wellness as well as personal interests and hobbies. It is not restricted to identification, such as race, ethnicity, religion, or politics.
 

3. Personalized

Since no two DEI programs are the same, DEI activities should be customized for each business and its particular workforce.

"The fundamental goal of DEI is to link individuals, not to categorize them into silos. Because every business has a unique DNA, it's so diverse," adds Moret. "DEI needs to be integrated into the organization's behavior and not be a stand-alone concept."