4 Ways to Foster Inclusion as an Employee

5 Ways to Have a More Inclusive Workplace Job Store Staffing

Employees with diverse backgrounds face challenges that other employees do not. This is especially true for women, people of color, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

One way to help diverse employees feel welcome in a company is through inclusion activities. These activities cultivate a feeling of belonging by letting employees be their true selves.

Inclusion activities help build strong teams by encouraging employees to learn about other perspectives and experiences. This encourages dialogue about diversity in your company and what can be done to reduce diverse employees’ challenges.

The April 2021 CNBC/SurveyMonkey Workforce Happiness Index showed that 80% of employees want to work for a company that values diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). As a result, inclusion activities should be a priority in your company.

Discover four ways to promote inclusion throughout your organization as an employee.


1. Celebrate Inclusive Calendar Days

Acknowledge holidays that are important to diverse cultures and religions. This promotes understanding and appreciation of a coworker’s cultural heritage.

You may encourage coworkers to help you decorate the office in honor of the occasion. You and your coworkers also could bring in traditional dishes and play traditional music during a team lunch.

Examples of inclusive calendar days include the following:

  • Mahayana New Year (Buddhist)
  • Chinese New Year
  • International Women’s Day
  • Maha Shivaratri (Hindu)
  • Purim (Jewish)
  • International Transgender Day of Visibility
  • Ramadan (Muslim)
  • Start of Rivdan (Baha’i)
  • Cinco de Mayo
  • Juneteenth
  • Senior Citizens Day
  • National Native American Day
  • Veterans Day
  • International Day for People with Disabilities

2. Host an Inclusion-Focused Book Club

Organize a book club that you and your coworkers take turns hosting. Read stories that focus on inclusion in the workplace.

Discussing fiction or nonfiction books opens up coworkers’ minds. It also promotes an understanding of diverse perspectives.

3. Develop Employee Resource Groups

Encourage coworkers to participate in groups that promote building connections and providing support for specific groups of employees. Examples include employee resource groups (ERGs) for women, LGBTQIA+ employees, and employees with disabilities.

4. Promote a Diverse Mentorship Program

Ask your company’s leadership team to pair new and seasoned employees from diverse backgrounds as mentors and mentees. Mentoring builds employees’ skills and confidence. It also develops understanding between employees with different backgrounds. Plus, mentoring increases innovation and revenue.

Work for an Inclusion-Focused Company

Partner with Job Store Staffing to land a role with an organization that prioritizes inclusion. Visit our job board today!

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