How to Promote More Diversity in the Workplace

Even the most advanced and developed companies might still stand to improve the level of diversity in their workforce.

Companies with more gender, racial and ethnic diversity on their team perform better financially and set a much-needed example for equality in society.

According to research from Josh Bersin, companies labeled as inclusive are 1.7 times more likely to be innovation leaders in their market. Research additionally showed these companies were 3.6 times more equipped to deal with personnel performance problems and 2.9 times more likely to identify and build leaders.

In today's business environment, companies that build a truly inclusive culture will outperform their contemporaries, simply because people perform best when they feel valued, empowered and respected by their peers.

The Wall Street Journal offers some strategies to increase your own workplace diversity:

Develop a hiring strategy to make your workforce resemble the community you operate in.
Does your workforce match the demographic your company serves or wants to serve? If not, take time to evaluate your hiring strategy and create a new one if it doesn't match your current goals.

Ask existing employees for referrals.
Chances are, your employees have peers in the same industry and may have connections with qualified candidates who are looking for work.

Talk to community organizations to help find candidates.
Take a look at nearby cultural institutions, churches and colleges, in addition to enlisting help from nonprofit organizations such as the Urban League.

Develop and implement an equal opportunity policy that follows Federal EEOC guidelines.
Create a committee that will help implement the policy and will brainstorm ideas to attract more diversity to your company.

Provide diversity training in your workplace.
Ensure all employees understand the benefits of a diverse workplace. As they'll implement those policies, they should be fully committed to supporting the practice.

Give new employees a reason to stay with the company by offering support and an avenue to quickly learn the company culture. If any minority employees leave your company, be sure HR conducts an exit interview to find out how you can improve. Learn from your mistakes and take the necessary steps to be more inclusive.

Written by Sarah Suydam, Staff Writer for Groups Today.