A case for Diversity and Inclusion
Over recent years workplace, mental health has gathered importance. In its strategy document, the UN explains why it is crucial for it to have a policy relating to mental health: “Our mental health directly influences how we think, feel and act: it also affects our physical health. Work, in fact, is actually one of the best things for protecting our mental health, but it can also adversely affect it. This is true for all organizations. Post-pandemic, employers are increasingly interested in improving their employees’ mental health to improve their overall productivity.
D&I and Mental Health
One of the ways to enhance workplace mental health is to have an effective Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) policy and practices. A study by Diversity Council Australia states that employees who feel included are likely to be 10 times more effective and 19 times more satisfied with their work than those who feel alienated. As explained in an article by Applied Development, a good D&I policy creates a good organizational culture which in turn impacts employees’ mental health in two ways- It enhances psychological safety, and a sense of belongingness, both of which are important human needs. Fulfillment of these needs will ascertain enhanced mental health while thwarting these needs will cause stress and frustration that can affect mental well-being. D&I also ensures perceived equity and fosters open communications which are essential components of Quality of Work Life.
Apart from having a good policy in place, A Forbes report highlights some concrete steps to ensure mental health using inclusion especially to foster racial inclusion and justice:
- Organizations can come up with mental health initiatives focusing on diversity, inclusivity, and belongingness, employee counseling services and resource groups with diverse representation, and the availability of mental health screening tools.
- Mental health is not devoid of cultural differences In certain communities, mental health issues may be taboo or have misconceptions surrounding them. . Companies can buoy up access to culturally competent mental health services. Employers can with their inclusive policies especially relating to inclusive and effective mental health services bolster access to culturally competent mental health services. Additionally, managers can be trained to become first responders in mental health care since they are in a good position to respond to individual employee needs, and in the process, they can also be sensitized to employee mental health needs
So how can organizations foster D&I?
Diversity and inclusion can be nurtured and promoted at two levels. The Organisational and Individual levels. APA discusses its framework for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and highlights certain practices that it follows as an organization, namely: Psychological Safely, Leadership & Organisational Structure, Access & Equity, and Inclusive Policies and Practices. Leadership and organizational structure play a key role in inclusivity as they affect how the organization perceives, creates, and supports diversity and inclusion. It is reflected in the company’s inclusive policies and practices. The report also stresses the psychological safety of the employees to ensure they feel supported and valued.
Another report by ILO brings attention to an especially important concept to consider when aiming for an inclusive workplace- Reasonable accommodation. This is essential, especially in cases where the employees are disabled in any sense.
Importance of D&I in the Global Context:
Given the contemporary trends of the digital platforms economy, it is essential for organizations to focus on diversity and inclusion as they now aim at a global market.
It is essential for organizations to be inclusive so that they can keep up with the diverse global markets. A close understanding of the diverse needs of customers will ensure the success of global organizations, and as such representation of different cultures in the organization will help create an empathetic organization that can closely listen and responds to customer needs.
While the organization plays a vital role in bringing about diversity and inclusion, it is equally important that the employees in the organization be actively involved in fostering Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. A Harvard business review article covers three basic ways in which an employee, as an individual can help facilitate inclusive practices: Instrumental aid, Emotional bonding, and making the minority feel included. The effort of these individuals is crucial since it is the employee, who as an individual can really make a difference at the grass-root level. After all, it is the employees who make up the organization’s culture and ethos.
Diversity and Inclusion, therefore, will go a long way in fostering mental health in the workplace.