By Alicia Pozsony, Author, Life Coach & Radio Show Host
A
year ago, we’d hear people remark about things they faced during the Covid pandemic
in almost every conversation. Fast
forward to 2023, the conversation is a bit different. Now, at least several
times a week I am hearing about the topic of diversity, equality and inclusion
and the role it plays in our world today.
What
is Diversity, equality, and inclusion? It is a framework promotes fair
treatment and full participation of all people, especially in the workplace,
including populations who have historically been under-represented or subject
to discrimination because of their background, identity, disability, or other
trait.
We
are fortunate to be living in a time where there is an importance of creating a
culture where people come first; not one race, one color, one religion,
one financial status or one ethnicity.
Today we have almost no choice but to face facts that the movement of
today is around belonging, well-being and inclusion.
People in under-represented groups report that they feel undervalued or unsafe in unwelcoming work environments. According to Scientific American.com, under-represented groups say other people have biases that come out as “micro-aggression”, for example mispronouncing someone’s name repeatedly as a form of disrespect, and experience behaviors that are a negative stereotype, such as being the target of slurs. Many fear they will not be taken seriously and may lose their jobs. In our culture, the generations like Gen Z who are currently between 6 and 24 years old (nearly 68 million in the U.S.) and Generation Alpha who were born at the start of the Covid Pandemic in 2020 will see a different world that is fairer and more accepting. According to PewReserach.org, “Generation Z is more racially and ethnically diverse than previous generations. Generation Z represents the leading edge of the country’s changing racial and ethnic makeup. Generations differ in their familiarity and comfort with using gender-neutral pronouns, but ideas about gender identity are rapidly changing in the U.S., and Gen Z is at the front end of those changes. Gen Zers are much more likely than those in older generations to say they personally know someone who prefers to go by gender-neutral pronouns. There are also stark generational differences in views of how gender options are presented on official documents. Gen Z is by far the most likely to say that when a form or online profile asks about a person’s gender it should include options other than “man” and “woman.”
In
our everyday lives, we see and hear topics of diversity and inclusion popping
up around us like dandelions in the spring.
In every interaction and conversation these days, we see a focus on
well-being and acceptance. We see it on television, sporting events and teams,
in entertainment online, streaming services, celebrities themselves and in the
workplace. Many companies have started hiring again after the employee shortage
of Covid 2020-2021 and retaining employees is a top priority. Companies and employees must prioritize
diversity, equality, and inclusion. This
is important because it is essential for creating an environment where all
employees feel seen, heard, and valued. This can lead to greater employee
engagement, job satisfaction and improved business performance. To foster a true
well-being culture that prioritizes diversity, equality, and inclusion, we all
must look at each other and commit to agree to become open minded, and accepting
of all people despite their race, color, religion, LGBTQ status or gender
decisions of male or female genders or gender neutral such as non-binary. Employers and their employees must recognize it's
an ongoing process that requires commitment and investment.
So, look around, appreciate each other more and be more
accepting of each other’s individual journeys. If we all do this, I have a
feeling the world will become more authentic and never be quite the same again.
Copyright 2023 Alicia Pozsony
Comments
Post a Comment