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Littler Diversity (^Inclusion ConsultingC o n n e c t in g C u ltu re s . M a x im iz in g P o te n tia l. A W orkplace Where Employees Can Succeed By Cindy-Ann Thomas, Littler

In today’s global economy, companies flourish by fully embracing the potential of their workforce and by creating a welcoming environment that inspires employees to succeed. Human resource management plays a significant role in this business imperative - from the hiring process and onboarding to cultivating dynamic systems and practices that fully capitalize on the vast diversity of contributions of the membership.

When diversity and inclusion are among an organization’s guiding principles, HR leaders can serve as the catalysts in attracting and retaining exceptional employees with distinctive backgrounds, perspectives and experiences. Further, as the unifying link for divergent departments and business units, HR can advocate and support the C-suite’s objectives of a productive work environment.

Meeting those goals within an organization requires a commitment to meaningful training in order to build awareness and skills in areas such as bias management and cultral competency. Training should not only be engaging and effective,

but legally compliant. HR managers should consider working with legal counsel to institute the following services along the full diversity and inclusion continuum: • Evaluate current or proposed policies and procedures and

recommend legally compliant adjustments, where necessary. • Review benchmarks of cultural competency within

an organization. • Support workplace inclusion through formation of mission

statements, diversity councils and/or affinity networks. • Conduct cultural assessments. • Design and delivery of educational workshops for members

o f all organizational levels. • Enterprise licensing for video vignettes that depict real-life

diversity challenges.

Research demonstrates the effectiveness of employee teams whose members work across differences to reach successful outcomes. In the end, and with the support of the HR department, a company that actively implements a diversity initiative will find itself truly ready to compete in today’s demanding marketplace.

Cindy-Ann Thomas is an attorney with Littler Mendelson, a global labor and employment law firm. She leads the firm s Diversity & Inclusion Consulting Service and has delivered customized training programs to organizations ranging in size from Fortune 500 companies to small, local businesses.

L i t t l e r ’s c o m p r e h e n s iv e s u it e o f s e r v ic e s in c lu d e s t h e fo llo w in g :

• Executive orientation sessions that assist leaders with guidance in determining next steps for a meaningful diversity initiative.

• Leadership group sessions that educate and expose cultural differences and recommend processes that legally mitigate challenges or conflicts within work groups.

• One-on-one coaching sessions that address and rehabilitate troubling behaviors of executives who hold crucial positions within an organization.

• Turn-key design of diversity training programs for self-driven, in-house use. • Train-the-trainer services for a company’s in-house facilitators. • Diversity & Inclusion Video Channel - videos that cover a wide range of workplace challenges and

opportunities around which learners can dialogue.

Supporting a diverse and inclusive culture requires ongoing attention. At Littler, we pledge to meet you wherever you are on your company’s diversity journey, and we will partner with you to achieve those goals in a robust yet legally compliant way.

Iittler.com

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