There are numerous benefits to having a diverse workplace – both for your business and your employees. It also plays a key role in addressing inequality. But what is diversity, what are its benefits, and how can you encourage a diverse workplace culture?
What is diversity?
Diversity describes the different characteristics of people you work with. These characteristics include, but are not limited to:
- Age
- Disability
- Gender
- Relationship status
- Race
- Religion
- Sexual orientation
It’s important that employees are treated fairly, regardless of who they are as a person and employers who fail to do so could be breaking the law. According to the Equality Act 2010, it’s against the law to discriminate against anyone based on the characteristics listed above. Discrimination can be unintentional, too. A workplace policy that negatively affects one group of people more than another is a form of indirect discrimination.
Protecting employees against discrimination helps to encourage equality and diversity. But doing so is much more than a legal and moral requirement. A diverse workplace can often be a more successful and appealing place for people to work.
Diversity and inclusion are both important. And while your workforce should be diverse, you also need to ensure that everybody is included. Employees should feel that they can be themselves at work.
To find out more about the benefits of a diverse workplace, and for tips on how you can encourage a workplace culture, read the full article https://www.bupa.co.uk/business/news-and-information/ways-to-support-workplace-diversity.