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Inclusion: Key to Unlocking a Thriving Workplace

Creating an inclusive workplace is not only important for ethical and moral reasons, but it also has a direct impact on a company's ability to attract and retain top talent.

As our society becomes increasingly diverse, it's more important than ever for organizations to create inclusive workplaces where all employees feel valued and able to participate, contribute and unlock their full potential.

Additionally, it helps create a fair and equitable work environment for all employees, which can lead to increased job satisfaction and retention.

Since 2011, the Equality Office of the Canton of Zurich, with the expertise of Great Place To Work, recognizes employers who are actively facilitating a balance between work and private life with the Prix Balance ZH. This year, for the first time, they are awarding organizations that demonstrate a particular commitment to the inclusion of their diverse workforce with the Prix Inclusion ZH.

The benefits of an inclusive workplace

Inclusion is about creating equal opportunities for employees from diverse backgrounds and fostering a culture of respect and belonging. This not only benefits employees, but it also benefits organizations as a whole.

An inclusive workplace can lead to better decision making, improved employee engagement, and increased innovation and productivity. A diverse workforce brings a range of different perspectives and ideas to the table, leading to more creative problem-solving and decision making. Additionally, employees who feel included and valued are more likely to be engaged and motivated in their work, which can increase productivity and drive positive results for the organization.

Inclusion not only leads to more engagement and retention bus is also a competitive advantage in the fight for top talent: 88% of employees at inclusive workplaces would recommend their employer to friends and family (compared to 58% of employees in a representative survey for the general demographic in Switzerland.

In short: Inclusive employees are not only more content overall (86% Trust Index™ as opposed to 61% Trust Index™ in a representative survey), they also recommend their employer to friends and family more often.

Creating an inclusive workplace also helps to address issues of equity, as it can help to break down barriers and biases that may prevent certain groups from accessing opportunities or resources. This includes creating equal opportunities for employees from diverse backgrounds. Resulting in a more fair and just workplace, where all employees have the same chances to succeed.

However, creating an inclusive workplace is not something that can be achieved overnight. It requires ongoing effort and commitment from everyone in the organization, from the leadership team to individual employees. This can include things like providing training and education on topics related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as implementing policies and practices that promote inclusion and equity.

The top five indicators of an inclusive workplace

As the word already suggest, inclusivity is about being included. This can mean different things for different people. We have done the math’s and found out what the top five predictors for employees feeling included in their workplace are.

Our data suggests that the more these 5 things are given, the more all employees feel included:

  1. Management involves people in decisions that affect their jobs or work environment.

  2. Management shows a sincere interest in me as a person, not just an employee.

  3. This is a psychologically and emotionally healthy place to work.

  4. Everyone is able to take time off from work when they think it's necessary for them..

  5. When joining the company, people are made to feel welcome.

Prix Inclusion ZH 2023

In collaboration with the Office for Equality in the Canton of Zurich, we awarded our most inclusive workplaces. Not only could we learn what they do to foster an inclusive work environment, we also had the chance to pick the brains of a diverse panel of experts on the topic. The three winners couldn’t be more different in what they offer their customers, yet they all have something in common: Their inclusive workplaces.

Ergosign is a digital agency focusing on user experience. For them, an inclusive workplace is not an extra, but “a resource to their success”.

DECATHLON SPORTS SWITZERLAND SA has only been on the map of sports stores since 2017, yet they already proved themselves to be a great employer on several occasions. For them, inclusiveness means welcoming everyone as a valued member of their team – “the only thing one has to bring is a passion for sports and a shared identification with their values”.

And last but not least, our Prix Inclusion winner of 2023 has proven yet again that inclusiveness is part of their DNA: Hilti (Schweiz) AG sees a huge asset in the diverse market of qualified employees. Their unique working culture is their basis for their longstanding success and their highly engaged employees.

What is sure: creating an inclusive workplace is an ongoing process that requires commitment and effort from everyone in the organization. It's not something that can be achieved overnight, but with the right approach and effort, it can be achieved.

There are various ways on how a more inclusive workplace can be achieved. Here we share some of our insights  and tips from experts in the field.

6 steps towards a more inclusive workplace

  1. Learning by listening: Start by assessing the current state of inclusion in your organization. This can be done through surveys, focus groups, or interviews with employees. This will help you understand where the organization stands and identify areas for improvement.

  2. Leadership commitment: Creating an inclusive workplace starts with leadership commitment. It is important to have leaders who understand the importance of diversity and inclusion (and let’s not forget equity and belonging) and are willing to make it a priority in the organization.

  3. Set clear goals and objectives: Set clear goals and objectives for diversity and inclusion. This will help to ensure that the organization is working towards a shared vision and that progress can be measured.
    Having a shared purpose unites all employees of an organization and is often a crucial asset in overcoming unconscious biases and non-inclusive workplace issues (Bernadette Höller, Leiterin loopings.ch, Kompetenzzentrum für Arbeit 45+)

  4. Implement training and education: Provide training and education for all employees on topics related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. This can help to raise awareness and increase understanding of the issues.

  5. Encourage open communication: Encourage open communication and provide opportunities for employees to share their perspectives and experiences. This can be done through employee resource groups, mentoring programs, or other initiatives.
    Problems should be addressed in an open and non-judgemental way. Transparency and openness are crucial for an inclusive workplace (Sarah Blickenstorfer, StV-Leitung Fachstelle Umwelt, Stadt Winterthur)

  6. Continuously evaluate and improve: Continuously evaluate and improve the organization's diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging efforts, the organization is moving towards the common goal, and make changes when necessary.

Whether you are already creating a more inclusive workplace for years or have started making DEIB efforts a priority not so long ago: always listen to your employees! This allows you to gain a better understanding of your employees’ experiences and perspectives and can help you identify areas where your efforts may be falling short and make adjustments, if necessary.

Furthermore, it can also foster a culture of openness and trust, making employees feel more valued and heard, which in turn helps to improve employee engagement, satisfaction and retention. 

Are you listening to your employees? Do you know how you could be even more inclusive? Take the employee survey and get valuable insights from your people.

What makes for an Inclusive Workplace?

Inclusive workplaces are not only respecting every employee regardless of their gender, race, sexual orientation, age, etc., but they also make an active effort to promote the strengths of their employees. Our Trust Index™ survey measures aspects contributing to inclusivity at the workplace via 27 questions covering these areas. Our most inclusive workplaces are especially shining in these areas. Additionally, they have a very low variability in their answers, e.g. regardless of their demographics. That means that not only people with a certain profile (age, gender, leadership status, etc.), but all employees are benefitting from this inclusive workplace.



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