Is your organisation also struggling to find and keep enough employees? You are certainly not the only one. When we think of sustainable entrepreneurship, it is not just about paying attention to our planet. Many companies also want to deal sustainably with that other P in their story: People. Gunilla de Graef and Eva Vermeire, researchers at the centre of expertise Public Impact of KdG University of Applied Sciences and Arts, recommend putting plenty of effort into inclusion. The centre of expertise wants to help organisations with this and developed a knowledge platform with tools that every organisation can use.
Only 21% of workers are said to be truly engaged at work. It costs the global economy nearly $8 trillion. In fact, the recently published Gallup study "State of the Global Workplace 2022" states that engagement and well-being in the workplace have reached a 'dangerous' low nowadays. Consider, for instance, recent phenomena such as 'great resignation' and 'quiet quiting'.
Inclusion is like laying a puzzle
How can we deal with our People in a sustainable way? Plenty of commitment to inclusion can be of great help. In an inclusive organisation, everyone feels respected and valued. And there is a focus on both the differences and what binds people together. What puzzle pieces can you put together to create an inclusive strategy and an authentic story as an organisation? We list a few here:
Work to build support: You need support in your team for sustainable and structural change. Diversity and inclusion are not a trend, but a mindset (in progress).
Commit to awareness: Awareness that working together in a diverse team requires active engagement is essential and a prerequisite for getting more potential out of the team.
Be alert for (un)conscious bias: Bias can make you more inclined to hire someone with the same background as you, someone who looks like you.
Get everyone involved: More involvement leads to more unity and clarity in a team.
Welcome inclusively: An inclusive welcome is open, warm and offers the chance to get to know each other. Pay explicit attention to actions that fit within the diversity and inclusion policy. In doing so, ensure that new colleagues quickly feel at home in the organisation.
More puzzle pieces and building blocks for inclusive organisations can be found on this knowledge platform.
When we talk about inclusion, it is best not to focus solely on what is difficult and what can get in the way of inclusion - such as exclusion, offensive language or restrictive rules. First and foremost, look at inclusion as an added value for your organisation. Inclusion correlates positively with innovation, continuity and resilience. Inclusion is therefore a lever for your organisation, not a band-aid.
Free tools to stimulate inclusion
Since 2019, our centre of expertise has been exploring how organisations can impactfully engage in diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We developed concrete (free) tools and building blocks, not only to promote inclusive management but also for inclusive hiring and inclusive teamwork.
Challenge your selection and recruitment policy with the online D&I kit
Ten building blocks offer insights for a firmly anchored recruitment and selection policy. Each building block also challenges you to reflect and helps you get started. For whom? For everyone involved in recruitment and selection in small, medium-sized or large (also event) organisations. Consult the D&I kit on this website.
Dive into our online activity suitcase with your team
A suitcase with 22 experiential activities supports team leaders to work together more inclusively in the team. The activities are interactive, linked to clear learning objectives and provided with inspiration for a focused follow-up discussion. For whom? For teams from small, medium or large organisations. Consult the activities on this website and get started with your team.
Curious to find out more? Follow our Event Master Class (in Dutch)!
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