Can Fostering a More Inclusive Workplace Really Boost Employer Branding?

It is no secret that diversity and inclusion are hot topics in the business world today. Many companies have made a concerted effort to become more diverse and inclusive to stay competitive.

And while there are many benefits to DE&I efforts, one area that often gets overlooked; is employer branding.

Recent studies have shown that companies with strong employer brands significantly boost their bottom line. And while it may seem counterintuitive, becoming more diverse and inclusive can actually help you improve your employer branding.

Therefore, this blog post will explore how fostering a more inclusive workplace can help improve employer branding.

So grab your favorite snack or cup of coffee, and let’s get this blog post rolling. 

What is an Inclusive Workplace?

An inclusive workplace values diversity and provides equal opportunities for all employees, regardless of their race, gender, age, or background. In an inclusive workplace, everyone feels like they belong and can contribute to the company’s success.

Employees feel respected and valued, and they are allowed to reach their full potential. All in all, creating an inclusive workplace requires a commitment from everyone in the organization—straight from the CEO down to each employee.

It all starts with developing policies and practices that support diversity and provide equal opportunity for all. But it also requires creating a culture of inclusion, where everyone feels welcome and respected. As a result, when done right, an inclusive workplace can be a powerful engine for innovation and success.

How Does Inclusive Workplace Boost Employer Branding?

After reading the definition of an inclusive workplace, you might wonder how it could boost employer branding. After all, employer branding is all about attracting and retaining the best talent, right?

There are various ways in which an inclusive workplace can boost employer branding.

It Attracts Top Talent

The world’s population at the moment is 7.97 billion.  What does that have to do with employer branding? Well, it turns out that a large percentage of the world’s population comprises underrepresented groups, including women, minorities, and people with disabilities.

Creating an inclusive workplace shows that your company is committed to diversity and inclusion. This can ultimately help you attract top talent from these underrepresented groups.

In fact, studies have shown that millennials, who make up a large portion of the workforce, are more likely to apply for a job at a company that is seen as diverse and inclusive. This is because they want to work for a company that shares their values.

Moreover, creating an inclusive workplace can help you tap into this vast pool of top talent and improve your employer brand. DE&I can also help you attract top talent from outside of your company. Plus, a strong employer brand will make recruiting employees from other companies more accessible.

It Increases Employee Engagement and Retention

Inclusive workplaces have been shown to increase employee engagement and retention. This is because employees who feel like they belong are more likely to be engaged in their work and less likely to leave the company.

Creating an inclusive workplace can help you improve employee engagement and reduce turnover. This, in turn, can save your company money and help improve your employer brand.

A study by the Harvard Business Review found that companies with diverse teams are 35% more likely to have financial returns above their industry median. The study also found that companies with inclusive cultures are 27% more likely to outperform those without one.

So, there are clear financial benefits to creating an inclusive workplace. But it’s not just about the bottom line. Creating an inclusive workplace can also help improve your employer branding, therefore allowing you to attract and retain top talent easily.

It Improves Employee Satisfaction

Employees who feel like they belong are more satisfied with their jobs. They are also more likely to recommend their company to others as a great workplace. This can help improve your employer brand and helps you retain top talent.

Furthermore, a recent study by the Society of Human Resource Management found that employees who feel part of a diverse and inclusive workplace are more satisfied with their jobs and are less likely to leave their company.

So, there are clear benefits to creating an inclusive workplace. Not only can it help improve your employer branding, but it can also lead to increased employee satisfaction and retention.

What Are Some Ways That You Can Create an Inclusive Workplace?

There are many things that organizations can do to foster a more inclusive workplace. Which include:

Implement Unconscious Bias Training

Some organizations have implemented unconscious bias training, which can help employees become more aware of their own biases and how they might affect their work. Other organizations have created employee resource groups, which are employees with a common background or identity. These groups can provide support and networking opportunities for their members.

Offer Flexible Work Arrangements

Another way to create an inclusive workplace is to offer flexible work arrangements. This includes flexible hours, remote working, and compressed work weeks. Offering these arrangements can help employees with caring responsibilities or those who need to manage their time more effectively.

Provide Inclusive Benefits

Some companies have started to provide inclusive benefits such as parental leave, childcare, and eldercare. These benefits can help employees feel like their company supports them and their families and will help improve your employer’s brand. Also, it will motivate employees to stay with the company and attract other top talents.

Wrapping Up

In short, creating a more inclusive workplace can positively affect employer branding and, ultimately, the company’s bottom line. With an increasingly competitive job market, businesses need to focus on fostering an environment where all employees feel valued and appreciated.

If you’re looking for ways to improve your employer’s brand, start by evaluating your current policies and practices and making changes where necessary. Are you ready to make your business more inclusive?

EVA-REC is a comprehensive hiring platform that helps small businesses and giants build skilled workforces and hire top talent at scale. Our purpose is to help companies of all sizes find, attract, and hire the right people every time. It offers world-class AI features and technology that are fully customizable and create a rich and immersive hiring experience for HR teams and candidates alike. Seeing is believing! Request a free demo and see the exceptional results you can achieve with EVA-REC today.

Author