As human beings, it is essential for us to feel a sense of belonging; this means feeling safe, secure, and accepted in the groups that we are a part of. Half of our lives are spent at work and finding a company that will care about their employees’ well-being can be challenging.  

For people to be happy and fulfilled, certain needs should be met, and organizations should be taking a more holistic approach in caring for their people in all aspects — physically, mentally, and emotionally; while also respecting them regardless of race, gender, background or physical ability. An inclusive workplace can not only have a positive impact on the employees’ well-being, but also on the company’s performance.  

An article published by Forbes says, “Research shows that inclusive workplaces are six times more likely to be innovative and twice as likely to meet or surpass financial goals. On top of that, employees who feel able to bring their whole selves to work are 42% less likely to plan on leaving for another position within a year.” 

In this article, we listed down some of the essential characteristics of an inclusive workplace that you should be looking out for in your job: 

1. Having a safe space for everyone. Back in the day, inclusivity wasn’t something that organizations emphasized because some were afraid to make a political stand, or some just didn’t think it was a big deal. But times are changing, people can voice their opinions out through one click on social media, and so, companies should also evolve with this.  

Having a safe space is essential for job seekers now, and this can be manifested in several ways, big or small. Companies that advocate for a more diverse and inclusive workforce by hiring people regardless of their race, religious background, social status, and by being a company that is proud to be an ally of the LGBTQ community are companies with a healthy culture. You can also take a look at smaller things like if the company has well-being programs that show they promote physical and mental health.”

2. When they make you feel secure by listening and understanding.Companies that listen with the intent to understand and offer their employees solutions to their concerns and struggles without being judgmental are signs of a healthy workplace. Hearing what employees have to say is one thing, but listening is another. This is an initiative that should be starting from the top. Does your employer practice open communication with you and your colleagues? What efforts are being practiced by the company to make you feel comfortable to voice out your opinions without being judged? Are they trying to connect with you authentically? Remember, there should always be an open line between managers/ leaders and their team members, and you should feel secure in voicing out your concerns and opinions.

3. A diverse company holiday calendar.Most companies just celebrate the usual holidays like Christmas and New Year, but we must keep in mind that there are other employees with different religious backgrounds and beliefs. Learn to make your company holidays more inclusive by including holidays for other cultures and religions like Ramadan, plus gender and sexual identification celebrations like Pride Month and Women’s Month.

4. They celebrate the small wins and recognize exemplary employee performance.Work can get repetitive and people can get burned out, so there should be employee engagement programs to boost employee morale. Are rewards given to employees when they do a good job? This can motivate you and make you feel like your contributions are being recognized, which in turn will create a positive impact on your work life and the people around you. Having award ceremonies and after-work parties are some perks that organizations can also extend. Celebrating small wins can also make employees feel special, and this can be manifested through giving non-monetary or monetary incentives, having a free-food day, or placing massage chairs in the workplace. At the end of the day, these small things are what usually matters the most. 

Remember: Look out for each other.

As organizations continue to evolve and adjust, we can also simultaneously do this with them. No matter what your race is or how you identify as, it’s important to see the value in supporting each other by looking out for workplaces that are inclusive and diverse or help spur change in our own workplaces. We should act as each other’s allies and assist in cultivating a better environment for everyone around us. 

Life at TDCX

It’s a good thing that some companies like TDCX have been taking steps to promote diversity & inclusion in the workplace. Through their CSR program’s #BeHappier pillar, the award-winning BPO company is focused on empowering their people. #BeHappier was launched to promote the well-being of employees in the workplace and was carried on amid the pandemic. As a part of their commitment to also encourage work-life balance, the organization continuously makes active efforts through their recently launched #BeMore campaign. To know more about their culture, visit their page, or follow them on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.  

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