Discrimination is a disease that shouldn’t be allowed in your business. Not only can it lead to lawsuits and losses: it’s also cruel and unfair to your employees and customers. So if you want to avoid discrimination and aren’t sure where to start, these are the most important things.
Hire and Train Thoroughly
Who you hire can be the difference between an easy business year and facing employment discrimination cases. Try to challenge any biases you or your human resources may have, even if they’re unintentional, and work to create a space where they’ll want to work. If you notice that your company or your higher-up employees only look like one type of person: it’s time to hire people who are different. Don’t allow your company to be one-tone.
Ensure Employees Can Speak Up
If an employee feels like their viewpoint or opinion will get them in trouble: they won’t say it, or they’ll talk to a lawyer. Make it clear when you hire your employees that you want them to speak to management if they have a problem. This means having an open-door policy that will give them the chance to come forward if they feel like they’ve been discriminated against or spoken against with hate.
Ensure in training that everyone knows this system is in effect. Just telling employees that all of their actions may have consequences may be enough for someone to realize that what they’re doing or saying is wrong or cruel.
Train and Handle Problems Quickly
Train employees from the beginning that your company doesn’t allow hate. Allow for thorough training to show them what makes a good employee and what makes a good person. Inform them how discrimination hurts both their coworkers and the customers and that they owe it to the people around them to be respectful.
If someone brings up an issue with an employee: handle it quickly. Although this can feel overkill, it’s important because it ensures other employees see that this behavior won’t be tolerated.
Treat Your Customers With Total Respect
When your customers are treated with respect, they’ll be more likely to come back. You can improve their relationship with your brand by showing them you’re listening and you respect them. Avoid any language that may be harmful or any advertising or policies that could hurt people. This may make you feel like you have to walk on eggshells while you get used to it, but treating people with kindness is the easiest thing to do.
Keep Learning
If you become complacent as the person running the business, it sets an example for your employees. Instead, try to keep up to date on social issues, notice what behaviors or biases you need to challenge yourself, and be patient. Although it can feel hurtful to learn that what you’ve done or said wasn’t the best: learning from it and moving forward with a new viewpoint is the only way to improve.
