It’s estimated roughly 280,000 Sikhs are living and working in the U.S., Pew Research reveals. Nowadays, work forces are increasingly made up of people of different genders, ages, ethnicity, religions, and nationalities. As such, building an inclusive organization is essential to business success. In fact, a Boston Consulting Group study found that organizations with more diverse management teams generate 19% more revenue on average. Making sure your business embraces not only Sikhs, but also people of all religions and backgrounds, ultimately results in a variety of perspectives that leads to increased problem solving, creativity, and innovation.
Assistive technology
Around 48.9 million people in the US have a disability, but only 17.5% of them are employed as it can be difficult to find a work environment that adequately protects their health. Offering assistive technology is a key way to accommodate employees with disabilities. For example, Google, Windows, and iOS have built-in screen readers that read content aloud to blind and visually impaired people. Moreover, Seeing AI is a free app that essentially narrates the world; it can read documents and handwriting, and even discern faces. According to a recent Accenture study, companies that adopt best practices for employing and supporting people with disabilities generate 28% more revenue and a 30% higher profit margin than their competitors.
Microaggressions training
Microaggressions are “the constant and continuing everyday reality of slights, insults, invalidations and indignities visited upon marginalized groups by well-intentioned [people they interact with].” A McKinsey study found 73% of professional women experience microaggressions in some form. Microaggressions negatively impact work performance, mental health, job satisfaction, and employee engagement. Fortunately, microaggressions training provides managers with a way to create a more inclusive atmosphere and avoid and de-escalate tense situations. Interactive 3D simulations training provides real-world scenarios, along with scripts and voice overs, to help employees educate themselves and unlearn this type of behavior.
Accommodate all religions
In an inclusive workplace, all religions should be accommodated, with no one religion treated with more weight than others. Usually, this can be as simple as making sure your building has a separate, quiet, and private area for employees to go and pray or meditate. It’s also a good idea to allow employees to have flexible work schedules to accommodate their religions. For example, some employees may want to take time off to celebrate Eid or Christmas, or leave work early on Friday to attend Jummah prayer. Additionally, businesses are increasingly implementing faith-based support groups for employees. These groups are inclusive and made up of employees of different faiths, and even those who are non-religious. After a tragic event, for example, these groups can meet up and provide support for one another.
Building an inclusive workplace culture is essential to overall business success. By implementing diversity-friendly policies like providing assistive technology, offering microaggressions training, and accommodating all religions, business owners can help people of all backgrounds feel welcomed and valued in the workplace.