4 Benefits of Diversity in the Workplace
By: Damaris Villalva, Marketing Associate— Published: May 30, 2019
HMH might not be the biggest company out there, as far as the number of employees, but we are a diverse group of people. At HMH, our personalities and traits vary from tenacious, technical, energetic to introverted. We are all from different cultures and different parts of the world, yet we all fit together like a puzzle.
Having a diverse workforce can bring positive benefits to a company as well as its employees. Everyone views the world differently, this means that they can apply their personal experiences and circumstances to contribute unique perspectives to benefit a company. There are many positive impacts of having a diverse workforce. Some important ones to remember are that diversity increases productivity, increases creativity, improves cultural insight, and it increases employee engagement.
1. Increases Productivity
Diversity can boost productivity because everyone brings their own specific skills, talents, and language. With different perspectives working together, it can have a positive impact on productivity. Creativity leads to productivity, this means that if a diverse group is brainstorming, there are more diverse solutions and innovative ideas.
When there is diversity in the workplace and employees feel welcome, it boosts employee morale. The higher the team morale, the more productive the employees will be. At the end of the day, companies want the best quality performance from employees. If they feel like they belong, they will perform better. Employee retention is a bonus if they feel like they belong in that organization’s culture.
2. Increases Creativity
As I mentioned before, diversity can increase creativity among teams. Many more solutions can arise when each individual brings their personal way of thinking to the table. There are different working styles which can lead to coming up with new and creative concepts. When there are different types of working styles it can help bounce ideas from each other. It is important to work together in order to play on each other's strengths and weaknesses.
3. Improves Cultural Insight
As a growing company that operates all across the country, cultural insight is crucial. There are different cultures and different groups of people within a single country. Having a diverse group of employees gives us the insight that we need to learn what clients prefer based on their location. For example, a market in Chicago, Illinois will not generate the same response as a small city in rural Tennessee.
4. Boosts Employee Engagement
There is no better way to learn about different cultures than from colleagues that come from different backgrounds and places. It encourages employees to engage and want to learn from each other. Employee engagement is important, not only for the company but for the employee as well. Companies have to make sure that they feel comfortable in the workplace in order to have a positive impact on productivity.
What Can Companies Do To Ensure Diversity?
The hiring process is where a company must start to find the ideal candidates. The ideal candidate must fit into your company's culture. After you find the perfect candidate to make your company a diverse place, it is also important to focus on employee retention. Show them how they can have a good time at work while being productive. Most importantly, show them what the future holds for the company and advancement opportunities.
Communication is key to ensuring workplace diversity. Employees should feel comfortable communicating with each other, especially managers or supervisors. It is also important to ask for feedback from employees about the workplace in general. Employee feedback also helps influence future recruitment criteria.
“Businesses that understand the importance of diversity in the workplace are known to perform better both financially and culturally. When employees work with other people from different backgrounds, they have the opportunity to learn from one another to produce higher quality products and services. Having a diverse workplace will also foster a positive working environment in which your employees will grow and thrive.” -HoffsTech
