When people talk about inclusion, their thoughts tend to go towards metrics like reaching diversity hiring initiatives, but true inclusion is so much more than that. It means building a truly inclusive workplace culture that will allow the company and individuals who work there to thrive and feel that their contributions as individuals are welcomed.

Look for Buy-In – From the Top Down

Your managers and executives set the tone. If they don’t take the commitment to inclusion seriously, no one else in the company will either. SHRM emphasizes the importance that “company leaders understand that inclusion is about ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard, opinions are considered and value to the team is evident.” Consider forming an inclusion committee that includes decision makers with the power to make genuine change.

(more…)

By CEO Jim Annis

Why do the female inspired #MeToo and its male led counterpart #AskMoreOfHim movements keep making headlines? It is not big brazen things in the news that shock today. Those (sickly) are expected. Instead, they are the micro incidences that have chipped away at the patience level of the people who have had negative experiences. The prevalence and acceptance of harassment and lack of uniformity has insidiously eaten away at people’s confidence, patience and dignity like a flesh-eating disease. We cannot simply run to the urgent care and get “antibiotics” to treat this. Awareness and education play a part in helping to manage the risk of this “illness” spreading any further.

(more…)