Business leaders need to set the standard to create a culture of inclusivity within their companies.
According to Rachel Clift, Health and Wellbeing Director at automotive charity Ben, those at the top of the organisation play a critical role in developing a workforce that is engaged, diverse and inclusive.
She said, “Like all workplace initiatives, engagement at a senior level is paramount. Senior leaders should understand and be able to define what being inclusive means and live by this day to day. Without this, developing an inclusive workplace just won’t happen.”
She also encouraged businesses to embrace diversity when it comes to individual characteristics, values, beliefs, experience, backgrounds, preferences, and behaviours, and to constantly focus on ‘employee experience’ to enhance engagement and foster a sense of belonging and community.
Rachel said, “The employee experience also includes encouraging openness; welcoming and pro-actively seeking people’s thoughts, feedback and ideas; helping them build personal skills or introducing the right forums for those who may not be able to do this, to really enable a contribution by all.”
She concluded, “It’s key to make inclusion an intentional habit for everyone, meaning that employees are reminded of this on a frequent basis and it becomes part of the organisation’s DNA.”
