How Internal Communication Can Promote Diversity and Better Workplace Culture

If there is anything the past two years have taught companies all around the globe, it is that employee well-being and business growth go hand in hand. 

According to Zippia, having wellness programs in companies can reduce absenteeism rates by 14% - 19%, and 80% of individuals whose employers pay attention to their wellness say they enjoy their work. 

Employee wellness and satisfaction are interwoven with other factors like diversity, inclusion, and healthy work culture. The sooner businesses understand the gravity of these concepts not as a trendy topic but as an integral part of business success, the better. 

In a world where everyone looks to stand politically correct, and virtue signaling is becoming the order of the day, this article highlights a genuine way to promote diversity, better workplace culture, and improve the overall wellness of employees using internal communication. 

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in WorkPlaces 

Aside from the COVID-19 pandemic that rocked the world in 2020, the year also birthed serious conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion. These topics are ongoing conversations in the corporate world today. 

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are the pillars of any good workplace culture. They are used interchangeably, but each maintains a distinct definition, and has unique impacts on organizations.

Diversity in the workplace means creating room for different individuals irrespective of race, culture, gender, age, sexual orientation, and disability. According to Mckinsey, companies with diversity and inclusion are 35% more likely to perform better than their competitors. 

Equity, on the other hand, means fair treatment of employees in the workplace, irrespective of their differences. A company that practices equity understands the uniqueness in every individual. 

Inclusion is the third pillar of a good workplace culture. It means consciously providing a sense of belonging to individuals who have historically been excluded from certain benefits because of their race, gender, disability, or sexual orientation. Studies have shown that inclusive teams make better decisions 87% of the time. 

Overall, companies that seek to grow in this age must be open to conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion. They should also be willing to take measures to improve these factors within their work place. 

What Does A Good Workplace Culture Look Like? 

Workplace culture refers to the policies, goals, and values that shape employees' attitudes and behavior within an organization. It could either be negative or positive. 

Unlike popular belief, a company with a healthy work culture benefits both employees and employers. Here are some signs that businesses with a good workplace culture exhibit:

Long Term Employees 

People are more likely to stay in organizations that put measures and policies for them to grow and be productive. It could be in the form of financial benefits, a positive working environment and effective communication. 

Effective Communication

Where there is proper communication, there is a sense of community, inclusion, and more productivity. A company with a good work culture has a functional “open door policy” where communication is not just one-sided (employer to employees) but two-ways (employees also give feedback to employers). 

Career Growth

Employee satisfaction has often been tied to their ability to grow, excel and advance professionally. Companies with great work cultures make room for employee’s career advancement like promotion, better working benefits, salary increase etc. 

Transparency 

A healthy working culture promotes transparency in the workplace. It is important that employees have some form of knowledge about important issues affecting the business (legal battles, financial crises etc). It births a sense of belonging and alliance amongst staff members.

Additionally, a company with a healthy work culture is devoid of office politics, has a comfortable working environment, and encourages diversity. 

How Internal Communication Maintains Good Company Culture 

Excellent company culture may be hard to maintain, but they always start with effective communication. Here are five ways internal communication via online platforms can help foster an excellent working culture:

It Establishes A Sense Of Community 

When communication within an organization is done on one platform, it creates a sense of community, irrespective of the business size. It is even better when the company operates a remote or  hybrid business model (having both onsite and remote workers). The platform can act as anything from a virtual board table to a cozy café where team members can share thoughts and opinions about the business. 

It Encourages Communication Between Employees and Leadership

There is no effective communication without active listening and feedback. An internal communication platform can bridge the gap between employees and executives. It creates an avenue where people can share opinions about specific issues in the company and be sure to get a response. 

It Prompts Honest and Helpful Feedback 

Using robust communication platforms that offer features like anonymous polls can prompt honest and insightful feedback about specific policies in the company. Employee involvement in decision-making is an excellent way for business to create a positive working environment that improves productivity. 

Empowering Employees Becomes Easier

Employees tend to get motivated, satisfied, and ultimately more productive when they feel seen and heard. The psychological effect of being addressed on a first-name basis by an executive or being celebrated for a great idea, or on birthdays is tremendous. Businesses can leverage these features and more on their communication platforms. 

The Vision of the Company Resonates More With the Employees 

Many businesses struggle with being on the same page with their employees regarding their goals and visions. Internal communication services not only promote effective two-way communications but also help employers and staff members see that they are team players working toward a single goal. 

It Promotes Mental Wellness 

Mental wellness and effective communication go hand-in-hand. When employees have a platform where they can express concerns, lodge complaints, or air their views, it gives them a sense of safety. 

Bottom Line 

As businesses edge into a more inclusive and diverse generation, there is more need than ever to invest in effective internal communication services. These platforms not only bridge the gap in messaging and feedback but also create a new era in workplace culture.