It’s not uncommon for businesses to deal with diversity issues in the workplace. Diversity training can significantly impact a workplace as it gives team members the knowledge they need to identify unconscious biases and microaggressions. While this is just one of the benefits of diversity training, it can have even more impactful results on any business that chooses to offer its staff this essential training.
Diversity training in the workplace is more than a good practice; it’s essential for companies that want to hire and retain the best talent, expand their market reach, and avoid potential pitfalls like bad publicity and costly lawsuits.
According to a McKinsey study of 366 public companies, those that invest in diversity training report a 35% higher financial return than the national average. Also, organizations focusing on gender diversity see returns 15% higher than the national average.
When you make diversity training in the workplace a priority, your company reaps the benefits in countless ways. You’ll create an inclusive environment that fosters innovation and also ensures your brand will be popular with all people, which boosts your revenue. With better team morale due to a culture of acceptance and belonging, you’ll draw attention from top talent and grow your company with the best possible people.
Benefits of Diversity Training in the Workplace
1. Avoid Costly Blunders
By preventing unconscious bias at work, it allows you to make more just decisions. Diversity training in the workplace helps companies to avoid cultural mistakes. Companies also need to avoid insensitive scheduling during important religious holidays by using a diversity calendar.
2. Boost Recruiting and Retention
Another top benefit of diversity training in the workplace is hiring and retaining the best and brightest talent. When all employees feel their voices are heard, they feel a sense of belonging. Employees who are happy at work are more productive, willing to take on more work and provide more feedback to their employers. When your employees are happy, it will show and this will attract more top talent to your company.
3. Increase Innovation
Different people see problems differently. In turn, this means that they also have different ways of solving them. If your people don’t understand the perspectives of diverse groups, they’re less likely to come up with solutions for the entire team. A diverse team is a creative team. When your staff can learn and grow with each other and also understand each other, anything is possible.
4. Increase Market Share – Another benefit of inclusion in the workplace is more business. Inclusive ideas reach more markets. Reaching all demographics and markets, and ensuring you’re competitive, requires teams to think in an inclusive manner. Make sure your top decision-makers include diverse backgrounds to expand your customer base into all demographics and markets.
5. Better Business Reputation
Companies that focus on building diverse teams have a better business reputation. While many businesses feature all-white, all-male leadership which leads to a narrow perspective, others may embrace diverse and inclusive work environments. The fastest way to instill the benefits of diversity training in the workplace is with online diversity training.
Differences in team dynamics make for empathetic teams who understand how to avoid offending people from backgrounds different than their own. When your team is diverse and inclusive, your staff members can uncover the unconscious bias that holds them back from identifying offensive content from your business.
To move forward on your DEI journey, consider implementing a diversity calendar and online diversity training at your business.
Diversity Training in the Workplace FAQs
Why is diversity training important at work?
A diversity training program helps to raise awareness about different cultures and backgrounds and how to communicate respectfully. This helps build a positive work environment for all to thrive in.
What is an example of diversity training?
One example of diversity training could be a workshop where employees engage in exercises that help them learn about microaggressions at work or unconscious bias in the workplace.
What is the purpose of diversity training?
Diversity training is a valuable step toward helping employees become more aware of negative behaviors that may affect their colleagues. By creating this culture of understanding at work, you will have a more respectful and productive workforce.