More businesses than ever before are now realising they must evolve. Employees are now looking at management to make a difference and training in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion are on most companies’ priority list. These companies are the ones who reap the benefits of Inclusion training to improve the trust and growth of the business. Many companies have made little progress with embedding the principles of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion. Don’t make the same mistake. Those who do not focus on it being a box ticking exercise, but rather an opportunity to grow and excel, are the businesses ready to outperform competitors.

What does it mean to have an inclusive workforce?
In short, it’s people. Despite their background/differences, they are given an equal opportunity for progression and are valued for their contributions. This may seem like an obvious policy to have within a workplace. Unfortunately, a lot of businesses are still missing out on the financial gains due to not maintaining these policies to create a real impact.

What are the benefits to Inclusion Training?
Talent
A company is only as good as its employees. Businesses are now realising that if they branch out to a diverse workforce, they have a greater chance of hiring the correct person for the role. They have access to a much larger group of possible candidates. Companies will also benefit from being diverse as it brings a larger range of tools, skills, and ideas to the workforce. EDI focused recruitment could include:

• Showing diversity across your platforms, an accessible website, diverse imagery, inclusive language.
• Making your EDI strategies accessible to the public.

Innovation/ Group Performance
Different backgrounds/cultures bring invaluable first-hand experiences into your workplace. It is proven that teams with cognitive diversity tend to solve problems faster. Mixed gender teams can be better to manage conflict compared to homogenous teams. When companies embed inclusive business policies and cultures, they are more likely to benefit from higher levels of creativity, innovation, and openness.

Financial performance
Consumers are more likely to purchase from an advertisement seen to be made diverse and inclusive. Having an inclusive team will also benefit your company by having a better assessment of consumer demand and interest. More diverse teams are better at anticipating changes in consumer needs and their buying patterns. This can lead to a more rapid product and service development.

Discrimination/Unfair dismissal claims
Although a lot of companies have had the training, a lot of discrimination is still taking place in the workplace. Without really implementing EDI strategies you can be up for reputational damage of a negative court/tribunal case. Your company must act in a way that encourages Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion.

Reputation
Embedding EDI as the foundational principles of a company will help with the long-term strategic plan. Not only is training necessary for your business’s reputation moving forward, but it is also mandatory to create a required shift in society. Without putting these principles into practice, businesses can find themselves with their reputation put on the line.

Long term illness and Inclusion
Under the Equality Act 2010, employers are not allowed to ask about health during the application process unless your health condition will somehow affect the ability to carry out essential roles of the job. Employers are obliged to maintain the confidentiality of an employee’s health information, but they can support them in other ways, such as awareness days like world AIDS day.
On the 1st of December, we will be raising awareness for world AIDS day. Over 105,200 people are living with HIV in the UK. Globally, there are an estimated 38 million people who have the virus. Despite the virus only being identified in 1984, more than 35 million people have died of HIV or AIDS related illnesses, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history. Long term illnesses affect the way a person can/cannot work. Raising awareness for days like these are important for an inclusive workforce.

So why does your business need EDI training?

1. To avoid discrimination/Unfair dismissal claims
2. Access a wider market
3. Outperform competitors
4. See a higher turnover in revenue
5. Lay down the foundations of the future of business
6. Keep the best employees
7. Hire the best talent
8. Maintain a good reputation

Regardless of whether you are aiming to access a wider market, attract new talent to your company or make your service more accessible to everyone, it makes business sense. Lead with inclusion and naturally, diversity will follow. If you don’t have the right culture, hiring diverse talent can have an adverse effect. It takes time to make real change. We have seen many companies thrive and DiversitiUK will continue to strive for change in society. If everyone prioritised diverse, inclusive, and equal working environments, we would see positive change.