12.20.24
Inclusion at Work: A Guide to Breaking Barriers
By Hannah Anderson, Director of Content Strategy, The Chamber
Inclusion at work is key to overcoming workforce challenges that affect organizations across industries. Building environments where employees from all backgrounds can thrive sets the foundation for success. During a recent panel discussion at The Chamber’s Workforce Forum, industry leaders shared strategies to address barriers and foster inclusion, adaptability and leadership.
Here’s a breakdown of key insights:
1. Listen and Adapt Proactively
Tina Amerman, director of people programs at Bobcat Company, emphasized the importance of gathering employee feedback early and often. Conversations during orientation and check-ins six months later allow Amerman and her team to identify and resolve potential barriers before they become significant challenges. To attract younger talent, they’ve shifted hiring practices to prioritize mentorship over management, demonstrating how adaptability can unlock new talent pools.
Takeaway: Regular feedback loops and flexible hiring practices can help address employee needs and attract top talent.
2. Unify Culture While Embracing Differences
Fostering a cohesive culture is a cornerstone of inclusion at work. Ensuring that onboarding processes encourage feedback can strengthen relationships and help create a unified yet inclusive workplace. Matt Naugle, workforce development specialist at Essentia Health, highlighted the importance of fostering a cohesive culture across multiple locations while respecting each site’s unique needs. Successful onboarding processes that include opportunities for feedback create a strong foundation of support for employees, leading to improved retention.
Takeaway: A well-executed onboarding process helps unify your workforce and ensures employees feel valued and supported.
3. Start Small with Meaningful Actions
Danielle Woodard, director of human resources at Flint Group, encouraged organizations to begin with small, impactful initiatives. For example, Flint Group supports new parents by offering flexible work-from-home options, diaper subscriptions and even an infant-friendly room in the office. These actions cultivate trust and loyalty while creating an inclusive workplace.
Takeaway: Small, thoughtful changes can create a significant impact on employee satisfaction and engagement.
4. Bridge the Language Gap
By prioritizing multilingual communication and supporting non-English-speaking employees, A.M.P. Contracting exemplifies how inclusion at work can address language barriers and promote equity. Denise Rodriguez, director of operations for A.M.P. Contracting, underscored the need for multilingual communication in diverse workplaces such as providing language support and ensuring opportunities for non-English-speaking employees to advance.
Takeaway: Language accessibility is critical to creating equal opportunities and supporting diverse teams.
Building a Thriving Workforce
These strategies underscore how inclusion at work fosters environments where employees can excel and organizations can grow. From proactive listening and refining onboarding to offering meaningful support for diverse needs, these actions demonstrate the power of adaptability and intentional leadership.
By embracing inclusion at work, leaders can break down barriers, address workforce challenges and build a culture that empowers every team member to thrive.
What next?
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