Creating a Climate for Diversity: Tip #10 – Start a Diversity Program

Start an organizational diversity program. According to a 2010 study by the Society for Human Resource Management (Workplace Diversity Practices: How Has Diversity and Inclusion Changed Over Time), more than two-thirds of surveyed organizations engaged in some type of diversity practice. The most common activities include diversity recruitment efforts, diversity training, community outreach related to diversity, alignment of business goals with diversity issues, creating career development opportunities for a diverse array of employees, and collecting measurements/metrics on diversity-related activities. Most importantly, organizations that engage in activities such as these report a variety of significant outcomes including:

• Improved public image of the organization.
  
• Reduced costs associated with turnover, absenteeism and low productivity.
  
• Improved financial bottom line (e.g., increased profits).
  
• Increased organizational competitiveness.
  
• Decreased complaints and litigation.
  
• Increased retention of a diverse workforce.
  

Next Post: October 13, 2013 – Creating a Climate for Diversity: The 10 Tips