Throughout time, our businesses have changed and adapted to the world around them. The Internet, marketing methods and means of communication have all developed, to the point where we can’t imagine life without them! But, in addition to this, so has our workforce. Therefore, to move forward effectively and correctly, diversity is key to development.

Workforce diversity is defined as “the similarities and differences among employees in terms of age, cultural background, physical abilities and disabilities, race, religion, gender, and sexual orientation.” Companies such as Microsoft are incredibly successful thanks to their focus on workplace diversity. In fact, Microsoft was even found to have had the most complete diversity and inclusion numbers compared to other companies of similar stature. So it is quite clear to see that businesses with a good workforce diversity in place are better off than those without.

Why is it important to have a diverse workforce nowadays?

In order to appeal to the best employees, passionate customers and reliable business partners, you will need a diverse workforce. Not having one will only serve to damage you in the long run.

Society is evolving

Although it may not seem like it some days, society has greatly improved in the past 10+ years. And it is only going to continue to improve as we move forward. This can be seen in the last two Census results - 2001 and 2011 (the 2021 Census is yet to be released). 'White British' percentages decreased from 87.5% in 2001 to 79.8% in 2011 while, for example, ‘Asian’ percentages increased from 4.4% to 7.8%. So the UK is a lot different now than when racial segregation existed. And, naturally, your workforce should reflect this change and the society that surrounds it.

Employees actively seek out diversity in the workplace.

If your workforce is primarily male-dominated, would someone of another gender feel comfortable entering your environment? Or would they instead prefer a business that consists of a proportionate amount of genders? Similarly, if your workforce is primarily made up of one ethnicity, someone of another ethnic group may look towards another, more diverse business.

It’s an age-old situation; all employees want to ‘fit in’ and feel comfortable within their work environment. One way of ensuring this is by hiring a diverse workforce that seeks to be more representative. Inclusion is key here, and you’ll more than likely attract more employees by creating that welcoming environment that everyone wants.

Businesses and customers are more willing to trust a diverse business themselves.

To ensure that they are partnering with the right people, other businesses will look towards the diversity of your workforce when making that all-important decision. They’re going to want to protect their public image, as should you, so you need a more diverse workforce.

As for customers, they tend to support companies that demonstrate sound business practices. By acknowledging a diverse workplace publicly, those customers will see what you are doing to create a harmonious work environment for your employees. They will then be much more likely to trust what you have to offer them as a result!

What benefits can a diverse workforce bring to your business?

A diverse workforce can help grow and develop your business in many ways. You will improve employee happiness and instill passion within them to try harder at work, but it can also bring:

Better productivity

The more work they can do in a day, the better it is for the business overall! Productivity is the exact thing that helps a company perform well compared to any competition. If your employees are lazy and not productive, your business will grow at a much slower rate. But, if it were the other way around, your business would skyrocket when it comes to profit. A diverse workforce will be happier and willing to work hard for the business's best interests. That’s what every single employer should strive towards building - not the other way around!

More creativity and invention

By employing people from various backgrounds, cultures and countries, you can shape a workforce with very different thoughts, ideas, and contributions. These ideas spark creativity and ingenuity that may well have been lacking before. It can even be used to push the business forward, helping it lead the way within its industry. A business without these qualities will end up stagnating, unable to interest clients with something new. Put the same type of people in a room together, and they will come out with the same boring idea. Add a touch of diversity, and you’ve got a recipe for success.

Increased revenue

Then it is also important to note that, through this productivity and creativity, your business will make more profits as a result. A business is built to make money, so employing a diverse workforce will help achieve that aim and then some. This is a priority that has to be on the minds of every employer 24/7. Doing what’s right for business will mean making decisions that can positively impact the future of your company. So why shouldn’t you employ a diverse workforce?! It is clear and obvious that you will end up seeing a significant rise in revenue!

How can you improve diversity in the workplace?

There are many different ways you can go about improving diversity in the workplace. Doing so can take time, money, and effort, so be patient, and you will reap the rewards.

Plan and strategise

Firstly, don’t forget to plan! A strategy will help put the cat among the pigeons, helping to increase the number and seniority of ethnic minority staff within your business. One company may look to tackle a single aspect, such as racial diversity, while another may choose to improve gender diversity. Where you start is wherever you feel your business lacks.

Little to no women on a team should be overlooked and corrected where possible - either by hiring more women or making the group smaller. When planning to correct this issue, don’t forget to think about ethnic diversity at the same time.

Hire a more diverse workforce

Although it may sound simple, creating a diverse workforce is more complex than you may think. You need the right people who represent all walks of life, but who are also good at their job too. This may be restrictive based on the location. An area may only have one dominant ethnic group residing there, meaning your workforce is less diverse. It may be worth considering widening your approach when it comes to employing new staff. Some candidates may be willing to relocate or be prepared to make a longer commute if the offer and business are right for them. Either way, improving diversity in the workplace simply comes down to hiring the most diverse but qualified people.

Find a good balance

Again, it is important to stress balance in this situation; we don’t want to sound like a broken record, although it may be true! Doing so can actually open doors for a business by enabling access to different networks of people. An employee who is able to gain clients through their know-how alone is worth their weight in gold. You wouldn’t get that with an imbalanced team! However, try not to be too frustrated if you can’t find the perfect balance. A workforce that strives to represent as many genders, ethnicities and walks of life as possible will only be positive for your business’s future.

The information presented in this article is provided as general guidance, it should only be used as the basis for further research or requesting professional advice.