5 Opportunities to Build Inclusivity with Your Intranet
“Inclusivity means not ‘just we’re allowed to be there,’ but we are valued. I’ve always said: smart teams will do amazing things, but truly diverse teams will do impossible things.” – Claudia Brind-Woody.
Inclusivity is fundamental to a healthy, productive, and innovative workplace. A study by Harvard Business Review found that companies with inclusive cultures see a 17% increase in employee performance, a 20% increase in decision-making, and a 29% increase in team collaboration.
Clearly then, embracing inclusivity brings many benefits to your employees and organization. For employees, it fosters a sense of belonging while improving both mental health and job satisfaction. For organizations, it leads to greater creativity, improved problem-solving, and a more positive company culture.
It is time to reinforce your commitment to creating a supportive and inclusive workplace for everyone on your intranet.
5 Ways to Promote Inclusion and Diversity on Your Intranet
1. Highlighting Events and Activities
Use your intranet to highlight events and activities celebrating the diverse months of observances (Pride Month, Black History Month, Women History Month, Disability Pride Month). Events and activities can include webinars, workshops, and celebrations dedicated to raising awareness and understanding every employee’s concerns. Featuring month-on-month events on the intranet increases visibility and encourages participation across the organization. Consider creating a dedicated diversity calendar, event pages, and regular updates to keep employees informed and engaged.
2. Encourage Employee Spotlight Stories
Featuring stories and interviews of diverse employees is a powerful way to foster a sense of community and representation. Showcase employees’ unique stories, personal experiences, challenges, and triumphs in your intranet. These spotlight stories can inspire others, promote empathy, and build a more relatable work environment. Giving employees a platform to share their voices and experiences helps the organization highlight diverse perspectives and expressions. Watch the video to learn how one of our clients, LGA, used PeopleOne, the Modern Intranet platform, to empower employees to share stories of their cultures, such as the Holi festival of colors and Purim, a Jewish festival, resulting in enhanced engagement.
3. Establish Inclusive Communication Channels
Create dedicated communication channels or forums to discuss diversity and inclusivity issues or individual concerns within the organization and provide the necessary support. Inclusive channels offer a safe space for employees to engage in open dialogue, ask questions, share resources, and know that they aren’t alone. These channels can be anonymous forums or moderated discussion boards. Encourage respectful and constructive conversations that can help educate and inform the broader workforce. An inclusive communication platform supports all employees and helps teammates learn how to support their colleagues better.
4. Visual Representation and Theming
Updating your intranet’s visual elements is a simple yet impactful way to show solidarity and celebrate diversity. Change banners, logos, and other visual assets to incorporate various month’s themes and colors (for example, the intranet can be designed in rainbow theme to reflect Pride Month). This visible commitment signals to all employees that your organization values inclusivity and celebrates every uniqueness of diverse employees.
5. Create ERGs for Employees on the Intranet
Form Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) for employees where employees can find a meaningful way to support inclusivity. Use your intranet to promote these groups, provide resources, and facilitate their activities. ERGs serve as a valuable resource for the organization, offering insights and feedback on improving inclusivity efforts.
Moving Forward
Inclusivity is a journey, not a destination.
Start implementing inclusivity improvement strategies today and make a positive impact in your organization. Together, we can build a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to be their authentic selves. Let’s commit to this ongoing journey toward inclusivity and celebrate the diversity at workplace.
Remember, every step forward in building an inclusive workplace is a step towards a brighter future for everyone.
Looking for a powerful Intranet platform where all these strategies can be implemented to connect and engage your diverse workforce? PeopleOne is an ideal platform to enhance your organizational level inclusivity efforts. Book a demo with our experts to learn more.
