Unfortunately, though most companies will publicly display the notion that they welcome a diverse workforce on their website and in other literature, the mere fact that workplace discrimination cases continue to be filed at an unacceptably epidemic rate indicates that no matter what a company says about itself, it may not always be true.

That fact leaves today’s diversity job seeker with a bit of a challenge when it comes to finding a company that is truly inclusive and welcomes a diverse workforce. Most diversity candidates feel more at ease, comfortable, and motivated in workplaces where they know that they are accepted and can advance based upon their performance.

As such, it is in the best interests of companies to actually demonstrate that they are inclusive, as they will attract the best diversity candidates who have excellent potential for rising to the highest levels of their organization. A company that is inclusive and welcome workplace diversity will usually have the following four characteristics:

• It supports local diversity groups. Truly inclusive companies will demonstrate their commitment to diversity by sponsoring and donating to local diversity groups. For example, a company that donates money and/or employee service hours to a community center frequented by Blacks, Hispanics, and other underserved minorities demonstrates its commitment to the advancement of diverse individuals through that very action. Employers that have periodic community outreach days in underserved communities in which employees volunteer during work hours usually have a very strong commitment to recruiting and developing diversity employees as well.




• It has a clear, written anti-discrimination policy. Any company that does not have an explicit written anti-discrimination policy, regardless of its size, will signal to any potential diversity employee that they run the risk of being treated like a second class citizen.A clear, written, anti-discrimination policy indicates to all current and potential diversity employees three key points: that workplace discrimination will not be tolerated, that diversity employees will likely be treated as equals, and that in the event workplace discrimination does occur, employees have the foundation to make and pursue a complaint.




• It allows and supports diversity employee affinity groups. Employers that offer diversity employee affinity groups to support the networking and mentoring needs of diversity employees are most likely crafting a highly inclusive workplace. This type of employer support for the unique needs of diversity employees shows that the company is making needed resources visible and available to the entire staff, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, etc.




• It holds company wide diversity training. To truly demonstrate their commitment to diversity employers need to provide periodic diversity training for their entire staff about the impact of discriminatory, sexist, violent, and offensive language and behavior in the workplace. Employers need to thoroughly discuss diversity issues in this training and answer the questions and/or concerns that their employees may have. If needs be, employers can hold separate workshops dedicated to raising awareness of concerns that are particular to diversity employees.

It is important to remember that even though a company may not have all of these key components, they may still welcome diversity and inclusion. Because even though some companies may not have all four of these components, they may very well be moving in this direction.