5 Reasons Your Employees Might Not Feel Comfortable in the Workplace, and How to Change That
Business
Creating a safe and open workspace where people are free to openly identify and be their authentic selves is not only beneficial to employee wellbeing, but also integral to any successful business. By making sure that everybody at your company feels safe and secure, you can foster an environment which thrives in diverse thinking and innovation.
Here are some reasons why your employees might not be currently feeling comfortable identifying openly in the workplace, and how that can change:
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1) No Employee Resource Groups
If your company doesn’t feature any employee resource groups, the opportunity to vocalize and bring forward any potential developments among the team becomes very limited. Many businesses thrive with the addition of employee resource groups dedicated to race, sexuality, gender identity, religion, disability, and many other subcultures in society.
To deny the chance for employees to socialize and discuss ways to progress the company is detrimental to both employee mental health and company opportunities. Make sure to suggest and allow for the opportunity for employees to form ERGs, with open communication and the chance to address and adapt attitudes throughout the workspace, if necessary.
2) Not Enough Diversity in Staff
Research has shown that businesses thrive when a multitude of voices from various communities and backgrounds bring forward their unique suggestions for company growth. Imbalances in gender and race create limitations in the company, as well as potentially alienating minorities in the workplace.
It is becoming increasingly important in business success to recognize diversity during the hiring process. Different life experiences will offer different perspectives, bringing ideas to the table that could otherwise have been overlooked. By making sure that there are diverse role models and colleagues throughout the team, staff morale and company growth can be accelerated.
3) No Verbal Support
A huge reason that employees may not be comfortable identifying openly at work is because they might not be aware if the company ethos is supportive of them. In the case of LGBTQ+ employees, many stay closeted due to fears of workplace discrimination, being prevented from excelling up the ladder of success, and in some cases, losing their jobs due to their identity.
Openly celebrating occasions like Pride, LGBTQ+ History Month, Black History Month, Transgender Week of Awareness and other commemorative dates show employees (and customers and clients) that your company is progressive and forward-thinking with its ideals. Actions speak louder than words, so actively show your support whenever you can.
4) Pronouns Aren’t Shared
Transgender and non-binary people may feel inclined to stay closeted at work if the opportunity to naturally introduce themselves with their pronouns is not presented to them. This is such a small thing that makes a wildly profound impact on the lives of many LGBTQ+ people.
Quick and simple changes such as implementing pronouns into email signatures or name badges can make a world of difference to anyone struggling to introduce themselves authentically. It’s also important to make sure staff are educated on respectful use of pronouns and the negative impact of misgendering.
5) No Consequences for Discrimination
There must be adequate consequences for discriminative behavior in the workplace. If a staff member feels as though they could be mocked or bullied for their identity, they may feel the need to hide themselves or not participate in group activities. This includes all forms of racist, homophobic, sexist, transphobic and ableist language, even if it’s disguised as a “joke”.
Appropriate admonishments must be made depending on the severity of the discrimination. From warnings and advice to the offender to educate themselves, to potential suspension/removal from the workplace if it continues, it must be widely acknowledged that workplace discrimination has significant consequences.
These five reasons for hesitancy to be open only require quick and simple changes. A company that strives for employee inclusivity, authenticity and diversity is a company that will thrive from the benefits of various ideas and perspectives. Being an authentic ally is also an integral aspect of achieving these five goals, and myGwork provides the perfect opportunity to demonstrate such allyship.
By signing up for the myGwork Academy, you can educate yourself and your staff with up-to-date and efficient tools on how to be an authentic ally. With interactive, informative, practical exercises, this advanced e-learning hub will advise the best action to take regarding various DE&I issues. There is always room for improvement, and by reflecting on how accepting your workplace ethos is, you can change things for the better.
Sign up for the myGwork Academy and earn your certificate of achievement now!
Read related articles here:
Top 5 Diversity and Inclusion Training Online Courses
Top LGBTQ+ Focused Online Courses
How to Create an Inclusive Workplace for People With Disabilities
5 Ways to Create an LGBTQ+ Inclusive Workplace
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