Leaders of companies have a vital role in supporting and engaging marginalized groups such as black and brown employees. They can also help strengthen the communities they serve by providing them with the necessary resources and support. Compassion and social consciousness can help individuals of color affirm their identities and contribute to society. Supporting employees of color across various identities can help them feel valued and included in your company.
Ask How You Can Help
When it comes to addressing the needs of employees, be specific and proactive. Doing so will allow you to identify the various needs of your staff members and provide them with the necessary support. For instance, if an employee is having trouble sleeping, you can ask them directly if they need help.
This can also help you identify the various needs of your employees and provide them with the necessary help. Having a clear understanding of the needs of your staff can help you develop effective ways to address these issues.
Challenge Bad Behavior
Reinforce the importance of challenging racist, xenophobic, and discriminatory behavior in the workplace. One example is an employee who said she bought a protective mask made in China during a virtual gathering.
Two of her colleagues then joked about how the mask might have been infected with the “China virus.” If left unexamined, this behavior can be considered acceptable and normalized in the workplace. To prevent these behaviors from happening in the first place, make it a point to challenge assumptions and biases.
Look at the Impact of All Decisions
One essential factor you should consider when assessing the impact of all decisions is the equity and diversity of your choices. According to a study by Alexandra Kalev, black and brown individuals are more prone to being laid off than their white counterparts. To prevent this, you must keep track of the details of your layoffs and take stock of the performance of your employees.
To ensure that you’re hiring with an equal process, focus on the needs of laid-off and furloughed employees. Some companies have started sharing lists of former employees looking for work. If you can hire right now and plan on doing so soon, consider implementing various measures to help other workers get hired more quickly. One of these includes establishing a hiring process designed with equity in mind.
Creating diverse workplaces where people of color can thrive and feel comfortable is more important than ever in the modern era. Business leaders must ensure that their companies are a positive environment for people of all races and ethnicities to work.
