Managing diversity in the workplace: 5 tips for success

Managing diversity in the workplace is much the same as hosting a lively dinner. The first step is assembling the right mix of employees on your team and in your business. Being vigilant and committed to making it a success is the most important thing you can do.

1. Hire the most-qualified people

Sounds like a no-brainer, right? But it’s often hard to look beyond the “this is the way we always do it” mentality to get to the true qualities of the person sitting across from you during the interview.

Managers should not try to force a diverse workplace or impose artificial rules on how interviews should be conducted. Are you documenting every interview consistently? Are all applicants for a position asked the same type of questions? Questions about an applicant’s personal life, such as how many kids they have or where they go to church, are strictly off-limits.

2. Recruit outside the box

Finding candidates with different backgrounds and experience can be difficult in some industries or areas. If that’s your situation, look for better, more creative ways to recruit.

3. Put your policies in writing

Confirm that all of your personnel policies include documentation about equality, including hiring, pay, and promotions based solely on performance. Your employee handbook should address diversity in the following sections:

• Code of conduct
• Communication plan
• Non- discrimination policy
• Compensation and benefits policy
• Employment and termination policy

4. Enforce a zero-tolerance policy

Managers must be responsible for holding people accountable. Off-color jokes about people’s differences or stereotypical slurs have no place in today’s workplace. Encourage employees to report any instances of this type of behavior. Establish formal grievance policies and procedures so employees know how to report issues.

5. Stay current.

Be sure your human resources policies, especially those around harassment and equal opportunity, reflect the most current information. Remember, laws vary from state to state and can change at lightning speed. What’s accepted this month may not be the next. Websites for the Society of Human Resources Management and Bloomberg BNA are good resources to stay abreast of the news.