In businesses of all sizes, practicing diversity, equity, & inclusion is a critical practice. Markedly, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) states that non-diverse workplaces have a higher risk of employment discrimination claims. Accordingly, the EEOC is launching a diversity, equity, & inclusion workshop series for employers. Earlier, in June 2021, the EEOC issued new sexual orientation and gender identity protection guidance based on recent legal decisions.
Overview of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
In summary, businesses containing many different genders, races, and nationalities are considered diverse. Chiefly, an inclusive workplace makes everyone involved feel equally included and supported in all aspects of the business. In this situation, inclusiveness does not depend on the characteristics of the individuals; all are welcome. Of course, many times, a workplace could be considered diverse but not inclusive, or vice versa. In short, that is when businesses can run into legal trouble.
Harassment and Discrimination Claims
Generally, state, local, or federal laws prohibit businesses of all sizes from discriminating against protected classes. As a result, employers must take reasonable steps to prevent harassment or discrimination from occurring. In light of that fact, in 2016, the EEOC created a task force to look into workplace harassment charges. Following that investigation, the Task Force published the “Task Force Report on Harassment.” In conclusion, the report states that failure to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace is a risk factor for claims.
EEOC’s Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Workshop Series
When the EEOC decided to launch this series, it planned to break up the essential aspects into different workshops. For instance, the first workshop is entitled “Understanding Unconscious Bias in the Workplace” on August 24th, 2021. Topics discussed in this session include:
- how bias happens in the workplace,
- the different types of biases,
- microaggressions, and
- best practices for employers to reduce unconscious bias in the workplace.
Further details about the workshop, including the agenda, pricing, and registration, are available on the EEOC Training Institute web page. In addition, the EEOC will continue to make announcements when it schedules other workshops.
Workplace Diversity & Inclusion Training
Implementing diversity and inclusion training is an effective means of demonstrating good-faith compliance with anti-discrimination laws. It also helps ensure that employees at every level feel valued for their unique talents, characteristics, backgrounds, and perspectives. To assist employers, Personnel Concepts has developed an online, interactive Workplace Diversity and Inclusion Training Program for Employees. Explicitly, businesses of any size and industry can promote a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment by using this resource.