Businesses should be able to work without the fear of putting out fires between employees or undoing systems of racism that have been affecting our nation for thousands of years. But, unfortunately, there isn’t much we can do besides working hard to make our business a place that’s more welcoming to those who want to do the right thing.
These are the top ways a business can avoid employment discrimination cases and why these are so important to avoid.
Check Biases in Hiring
Everyone has inherent biases that we have to work through. However, these don’t reflect our values and the person we want to show ourselves as they affect how we treat others even when we don’t realize this.
Talk to the people in hiring, and check the systems in place to see if there are any biases you might not realize. These can be things like ‘owns a car’ for jobs that could easily get by on the bus or train or listings requiring employees to lift fifty pounds despite the job never calling for that.
These biases may seem small, but in the long run, they stop thousands upon thousands of people from getting work.
Be Thorough While Training
When you’re training, ensure that you make it clear to your employees that there’s no room for bigotry or hate of any kind in this office. Not only will this protect you from any risk of employment discrimination cases, but it will also help people who are hired and are protected statuses to feel more secure and respected in their role within the company.
The right training can stop a train wreck, so make sure to have full discussions and be clear about everything that will be expected of every employee.
Retrain Annually
Train every employee annually, from entry-level positions all the way up to the CEO, so that everyone is in on the fact that any hateful behavior won’t be tolerated. This will allow for better management, better interactions, and a workplace where everyone feels safe and respected, which should be the final goal of any company.
If an employee seems to need extra training, it’s okay to add that throughout the year, especially if they genuinely seem interested in understanding why something they said or did was wrong.
Pay Attention to Employee Complaints
Employees will tell you when something is wrong as long as you listen and let them. Give them the chance to discuss what they’re experiencing, and pay attention to whatever solutions they offer you. Let them know that you’re taking their complaint seriously and that you’re going to investigate whatever issues they’re having. This will let them rest easy knowing they’re listened to, without fear of losing their job for speaking out.
Everyone Should Have a Safe and Supportive Workplace
Whether your company is hundreds of years old or newer, you must do everything you can to help your employees have faith that the company has what’s best for them at heart. This will encourage them to continue working for you and continue being open with what they experienced.