Fostering Inclusion in the Workplace · "You don't see an\൹ African-Americans,...
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Fostering Inclusion in the Workplace
Fostering Inclusion in the Workplace · "You don't see an\൹ African-Americans, Asian-Americans, and that's the image that they're portraying and that they're looking for.” Liu
An inclusive environment is important to us as human beings. Simply put it is nice to be nice to everyone. However it is also important to validate the fact that an inclusive environment is good for business. It is about bringing diversity and bringing out new ideas. You are not going to lose talent because someone doesn’t want to work in an inclusive space. In school systems today studies show that children learn more from each other than often the teacher and so an inclusive school has children with disabilities, different levels of intelligence, and different background thus enhancing the whole experience for the children. Work places need to solve problems and thus an inclusive workplace gives us the best shot of solving problems.
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Age Disability Religion
Marital status Race Veteran
Gender Sexual orientation Dietary habits
Who is Included? Everyone!
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Presentation Notes
You must take into consideration what is "correct" in culture of organization--some are more formal than informal, for example dress attire can change base on the company. Some companies are business casual whereas others are more formal. Organizational culture can encourage or discourage inclusion, so can a manager. The trainer should make it clear that in some form or fashion all of us need to promote a workforce that is inclusive. For example, people of all ages can enjoy working together.
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Components of An Inclusive Environment
• Individuals are treated with dignity and respect
• Valued for their similarities and differences
• A conscious effort must be made to respect and listen to everyone
• Each person is an essential part of the organization
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Presentation Notes
In an inclusive work environment, individuals are treated with dignity and respect as well as valued for their similarities and differences. An inclusive workplace requires individuals to make a conscious effort to respect individuals by affording them the opportunity to become an essential part of the organization.
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What Does an Inclusive Environment Mean to You?
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Presentation Notes
This is a participatory slide. We are encouraging the participants to share. If the group is too large, they can share with a neighbor next to them. Launch the conversation with “I feel included at work when...” or “I feel excluded at work when…” Give them 5 minutes to really talk about times when they have been made to feel included and times when they have been made to feel excluded. Even going as far back as their schooling.
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• When you are invited to participate in meetings?
• When co-workers involve you in their activities?
• When employees understand your personal interests, religion, and beliefs?
• When personal matters, such as health concerns or child concerns, are acknowledged?
• When there is strong and positive communication?
What Makes You Feel Included?
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Presentation Notes
If you did not get much feedback from previous slide, ask the audience these questions. If audience already gave feedback this should be a natural continuation of the conversation.
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• Get involved with extracurricular activities
• Be friendly and remember how important manners can be
• Include others in conversation
• Be conscious of others
• Listen to what others have to say before expressing your viewpoint o Never speak over, butt in, or cut off
another person
• Consider others’ viewpoints
• Choose topics, venues, events where everyone will feel included
• Sign up to lead something in the office
• Educate but never put down!
• Smile!
• As simple as saying “good morning” to your co-workers
How to Create an Inclusive Environment
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Presentation Notes
Go through these suggestions quickly. Again remembering not to read from the slides. This is just a sample list and certainly should be open to discussion. Ask the audience which out of the following techniques are the most effective in your workplace?
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TOLERANCE ACCEPTANCE
Separateness and ignorance Celebrates differences
Two sides endure each other’s presence
Fosters understanding and togetherness
Misunderstanding as to why people are the way they are
There are no boundaries, just different ways of approaching
the same problem
Tolerance vs. Acceptance
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Presentation Notes
This is an interesting fairly new switch. Acknowledging that many people grew up with tolerance being a good thing and beginning to understand why tolerance is not acceptable is a key component to ensuring an inclusive environment. Spend some time on the word tolerant… why may it have a negative connotation? Why do we want a work force/ family that accepts each other rather than just tolerates one another? Example of tolerance: Seasoned colleague of 15+ years may not embrace the differences of a new hire that is right out of college. They may be tolerating them as a co-worker but not celebrating their differences or listening to their ideas or different perspectives. �Example of acceptance: Season colleagues of 15+ years includes new co-worker that is right out of college in discussions and values their opinions.
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• Explore the world
o Try different cuisines, other forms of entertainment, different culture
• Inquire about passions and interests that are outside of the workplace
• Embrace others despite their differences
• Look for ways to learn from others
• Don’t be afraid to branch out!
Inclusion Outside of the Workplace
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Presentation Notes
Since the invention of the internet, our world has become much smaller. An inclusive world is ultimately the goal. Going through these suggestions helps everyone further their understanding of how wonderful inclusivity and more productive of a workplace
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• Abercrombie & Fitch
o Paid $50 million to settle a lawsuit accusing the company of race discrimination
• IBM
o Pioneered the concept of inclusion in the workplace
Case Studies
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Presentation Notes
Abercrombie & Fitch In 2004 case, Abercrombie and Fitch paid $50 million to settle a lawsuit accusing the company of race discrimination, including firing minority workers or forcing them to work in stockrooms. “What exactly is the Abercrombie & Fitch look? "It's dominated by Caucasian, football-looking, blonde-hair, blue-eyed males; skinny, tall," says Lu. "You don't see any African-Americans, Asian-Americans, and that's the image that they're portraying and that they're looking for.” Liu says she was fired after corporate officials visited the store, and, according to her, didn't like what they saw: "A corporate official had pointed to an Abercrombie poster and told our management at our store, 'You need to have more staff that looks like this.' And it was a white Caucasian male on that poster.””�http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/12/05/60minutes/main587099.shtml IBM: “IBM has been a leader in its commitment to diversity and inclusion and its implementation of such policies long before Affirmative Action laws were enacted in the 1960s. In fact, IBM hired their first female employee in 1899, their first African-American employee just a few years later, and their first employee with a disability in 1914.” http://www.insightintodiversity.com/diversity-issues/past-articles/61-past-articles/674-global-giant-ibm-corporation-remains-a-diversity-and-inclusion-trailblazer-by-michael-rainey.html
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• What are you doing for Christmas?
• What are your kids doing for the summer?
• When picking a restaurant for a business lunch, what restaurant should you pick?
Common Examples of Exclusion in Conversation
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Presentation Notes
Notice how these frequently asked questions can make those who do not celebrate Christmas or have children feel excluded. Ask for other exclusion examples as well…. If nobody gives an example, here is an example: For a staff holiday dinner employees are asked if they are bringing their spouse to the dinner. In an inclusive environment, all employee are offered to bring a guest to the holiday party and they are not asked if their spouse will be joining them.
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Inclusion
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Presentation Notes
Reminder that the tips and techniques we’ve discussed today is an attempt to create a healthy work culture. As everyone begins to feel more included, bigger brighter ideas will be brought to the table.
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