Embracing diversity benefits the workplace in many ways

“People are different in countless ways. Diversity is a broader concept than many people think. Gender, ethnicity and age are at least partly visible to the outside world, but not all parts of a person’s identity are visible.

There are a number of diversity perspectives that an organisation can embrace if it wishes. One less common issue is neurodiversity, which includes the spectrum of autism and ADHC – a company can choose to hire more people with special brains.

When managed correctly, diversity can also increase efficiency and creativity.

Allowing everyone to be their own true self in the workplace also benefits the work community in many ways and helps employees understand different customers and their needs. Furthermore, the diversity of the workplace is perceived as a pull factor by young jobseekers in particular.

When managed correctly, diversity can also increase efficiency and creativity. However, it seems that certain things need to happen in a company before diversity can become an advantage rather than a disadvantage.

If the community has not traditionally been diverse, but recently the organisation has started to hire people with different mindsets and backgrounds due to anonymous recruitment, this can lead to conflicts if the change is not managed correctly.

The organisation needs to discuss diversity and set its priorities.

The organisation needs to discuss diversity and set its priorities – whether to promote gender equality or, for example, neurodiversity. It is also advisable to measure the impacts.

For some organisations, diversity may be required by law, and also stakeholders and customers may require it. If a company does not systematically promote equality, it may no longer win tenders.”