Inclusive Workplaces

By By NOLLAIG MURPHY Development Officer

Ireland is a county which was once characterised by large scale emigration. John F. Kennedy on his presidential visit to Ireland in June 1963, said “Most countries sent out oil or iron, steel or gold or some other crop but Ireland has only one export, its people”. It is quite amazing to think that almost six decades later Ireland has become a multicultural nation where members of ethnic minority communities play a pivotal role in many sectors of the workforce.

Diversity and inclusion are two separate entities however are very much intertwined in all aspects of our society, especially our workplaces. Diversity pertains to the make-up of an organisation, the representation of different groups within a workplace and their unique differences. Given the diversity that now characterises the Irish population, it is of use to reflect on the benefits of supporting inclusion in the workforce. An inclusive workplace has many positive traits and actively seeks to avoid unintended issues which may arise due to visible and invisible barriers to participation. Within a workplace where inclusivity prevails, an employee may feel a sense that their potential is valued, and each individual’s unique perspective is acknowledged.

There are a number of approaches that can be taken to ensuring that inclusion is kept to the forefront in the day to day activities within the workplace. One suggestion is that cultural awareness training facilitated by a skilled tutor could be undertaken. Such training could foster awareness of what inclusivity looks like and feels like and may stimulate discussion on inclusivity within the context of a workplace environment. This training may support the development of practices which could ultimately cultivate a unique set of strengths within an organisation. This type of approach may lead to reputational enhancement for the organisation, which can have long-term impacts in the promotion of a workplace to the wider population. It can also be of benefit for organisations to remain aware of the significance of each individual’s lifetime of personal experiences and diverse knowledge. This can support an atmosphere of belonging and acceptance within a workplace, demonstrating that a workplace is progressive and positive place to work in.

Cultural diversity will continue to be an ongoing feature of Ireland’s workforce and the workplace can be an important agent of change in the progression of equality and diversity in Ireland. It is said that strength lies in differences not in similarities. Individual differences may stem from race, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, disability, age, gender, membership of the traveller community and marital status. The benefits of a diverse workplace cannot be overstated, ultimately any place of work which values integration and inclusivity is a better place to work.

This article is supported by the Communities Integration Fund