Today’s blog titled Respect and diversity, is number 5 in a series of 6 follow-ups from Work Safe Month questions, it relates to the question: Can you please elaborate on the need for respect especially for people's differences in diverse work environment?

My January blog gave some of the financial reasons to prioritise respect and wellbeing in the workplace https://www.respectatwork.com.au/respect-at-work-blog/data-the-productivity-benefits-of-psychologically-safe-workplaces, but the simplest reason for respect is that employees who feel respected in the workplace are happier, more present and more engaged.

Diversity is all around us, it’s about gender identity, the colour of our skin, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion, education, values, geography, parental status, culture, heritage, communities, thoughts, opinions and so much more.  Whether your little patch of the world is already very diverse or you’re just starting to notice differences, diversity is everywhere.

Inclusion is what happens when people feel they belong and can be their authentic selves. 
Supporting your colleagues to be their authentic selves at work makes a difference, without that freedom people try to hold back an integral part of themselves.  I know that when I am free and valued and not fearful of how my diversity might be judged, I bring my whole self to the workplace and everybody wins.

Diversity and inclusion drive our organisations to be brighter, smarter and more productive.

In an inclusive organisation where diversity is respected, colleagues let go of pre-conceived ideas and perceptions, they take the time to understand, learn and challenge their thoughts and potential unconscious biases and open themselves up to new ways of thinking and doing things.

In an inclusive organisation where diversity is respected, colleagues are more proficient at understanding and meeting different expectations and needs.  Collaboration is more open and easier, thus yielding quicker and better results.  Customer needs are anticipated and met and productivity soars.

I believe that a respectful team needs to be made up of diverse individuals that are inherently interested and supportive of difference; individuals that care and genuinely want their peers to succeed. I don't have to personally like someone, or agree, or even understand someone else's views to feel empathy and respect.  We are not all the same, we are all unique individuals with our own personal histories, and our cultural selves continue to develop our whole lives. Self-awareness and understanding of our own attitudes and biases will help us to be willing to acknowledge and respect difference in others.

Our world will never stop being diverse, by investing in (and respecting) diversity and inclusion you are putting your best foot forward and staying ahead of the game. 

So why do we need to respect people's differences – because if we don’t we risk losing them and the wonderfully diverse values they bring to our organisations.

If you would like to have a chat about how Respect at Work can talk to your team about diversity and respect – contact us now