Diversity in the workplace leads to increased creativity.
People with different backgrounds tend to have different experiences and thus different perspectives. Exposure to a variety of different perspectives and views leads to higher creativity.
“A diverse mix of voices, leads to discussion. decisions, and outcomes forever person” - Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google & Alphabet
Diverse workplaces employ people of different genders, ages, races, cultural backgrounds, education, religion, languages, and national origins. Workplace diversity offers the following advantages:
Expanded creativity and problem-solving
Better decision-making
Increased profitability and productivity
Enhanced employee engagement and retention
Improved company reputation
Higher innovation
Increased profits
Reduced employee turnover
Improved hiring results
How has diversity helped me at work
Diversity in the workplace has helped me learn from different people with different perspectives. I’m now able to make better decisions because of what was learned by another co worker at work that's different than me.
Diversity in my workplace has also allowed me to become a better employee and helped me improve my customer service skills.
I was able to learn other people's ways of communication, then developing my own communication skills from that.
Focus on the intersection of mental health
Diversity and inclusion programs at workplaces are generally seen as a way to provide equal opportunities.
The first step in being inclusive towards mental health means making an effort to sensitize, educate and encourage the leadership and employees at all levels. This helps in fostering a supportive and open environment for people with a mental illness.
Best practices for including mental health at the workplace
Awareness
Sensitize employees about mental health and mental illness
Train managers and employees to identify signs of distress
Create gatekeepers in the organization
Leadership
Give opportunities for cohesion and collaboration
Encourage open communication between team members as well as leadership
Lead by example - Help make the workplace an inclusive one
Wellbeing
Encourage empathy and an attitude of openness
Create downtime areas for employees to take breaks
Help create a routine; allow for flexible work hours
Promote wellbeing via regular workshops, exercise and meditation
Conduct workshops to help build resilience
Policies
Create policies that are mental health friendly
Employ people from all walks of life
Provide an employee assistance program and access to a counselor/therapist/helpline
Insurance coverage to include mental illness
Geared with these best practices, workplaces can work towards ensuring inclusivity for employees with mental illness.
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