Workforce Diversity and Inclusion
The workplace brings together people from various backgrounds to perform job functions. To be culturally effective, organizations must pay attention to the diversity of their staff. Aspects of diversity include race and ethnicity, gender and sexuality, age, education, religion, and physical and mental ability. The benefits of workforce diversity include improved productivity, increased creativity and the ability to listen to broader perspectives. It can be challenging to manage people from different cultural backgrounds. For example, how do we meet the needs of older workers and those of the new generation? Employees should be recruited and retained to contribute meaningfully to the mission of the organization. Organizations can develop intentional plans to assure that all members of the workforce feel welcomed and supported in their work, and have equitable career advancement opportunities. The commitment to workforce diversity and inclusion is framed by organizational leaders and is implemented using policies and procedures. Training and education and cultural interviews can help enhance organizational culture to promote workforce diversity and inclusion.
Click Here for Workforce Diversity and Inclusion PDF
Action Steps
Create a welcoming organizational culture.
Develop retention strategies that promote career ladders within your organization.
Become self-aware by reflecting on your own culture, identity, biases, and stereotypes.
Resources & Links
One Size Does Not Fit All: Meeting the Healthcare Needs of Diverse Populations
Workforce Diversity: A Key to Improve Productivity
Good Jobs Good Health: Diversifying the Workforce through Policy and Practice
Strategies for Diversifying Your Healthcare Workforce: A Tool for Healthcare Providers
Resources for New Hampshire Veterans
Best Practices in Achieving Workforce Diversity
Achieving Health Equity through Nursing Workforce Diversity
Creating Welcoming Places Workbook
Society for Human Resource Management
AAMC Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan: Tools and Templates:
References:
Mujtaba, B. (2010). Workforce diversity management: Challenges, competencies and strategies.
Leadership
Leaders throughout the organization can act as change agents, moving the organization to become more culturally effective. What can leaders do?
Policies and Procedures
Written policies and procedures provide documentation of an organizations commitment to equity. What policies promote equity?
Data Collection and Analysis
Data provides the foundation for decision-making and evaluation. How can data help in strategic planning?
Community Engagement
Building relationships with the community contributes to connectedness and sharing feedback. How can you create an environment to share knowledge?
Language and Communication Access
Communication is key to quality patient care. What are strategies to enhance cross cultural communication?
Staff Cultural Competence
Staff interact with patients to promote good health outcomes. How can you promote the cultural competency of your workforce?
Workforce Diversity and Inclusion
Organizations want to attract a highly skilled workforce from diverse backgrounds. What are strategies that promote workforce diversity?
