As a business leader, creating a company culture that supports the diversity and uniqueness of your workforce is essential to success. When team members work in an environment that prioritizes their values and needs, it reinforces their performance and loyalty. Although ethnicity, religion, age, and gender are essential components of a diverse workplace, business owners are encouraged to remember factors like disabilities, mental illness, and social fears.
Health problems aren’t roadblocks
From physical disabilities and long-term illnesses to depression and social anxiety, millions of people struggle with health problems that alter their quality of life and complicate workplace performance. However, these issues don’t prevent them from being instrumental team members; they simply require a supportive work environment to help them succeed.
Empowering your team
How can business leaders be more proactive and support team members with disabilities, mental illness, and social fears? Continue reading for advice.
Equal opportunities
The first and most essential way to support your diverse team is to be an equal-opportunity employer. Everyone should have a chance to apply for available positions or get considered for a promotion without their race, age, religion, gender, or health status getting in the way. Like everyone else, they deserve to be vetted based on their education, training, skills, experience, and potential.
Open, positive, and confidential communication
Unfortunately, society doesn’t make it easy for people with disabilities, which causes them to do everything they can to mask their issues. However, you can only support your team members if they communicate their needs. Therefore, an open, positive, and confidential communication policy must be in place that encourages those with disabilities, mental illness, and social fears to consult management.
Your team should feel safe to talk to you about their concerns without being put on the spot, frowned upon, or penalized. They should know you will do everything possible to ensure they feel heard, included, and supported in the workplace.
Accessibility
Team members with physical disabilities often have accessibility issues in the workplace. From limited parking spaces and small entryways to stairs and poorly designed workstations, employers must address these problems to ensure their team members can get around and perform smoothly.
Some suggestions include installing ramps, grab bars and more advanced renovations like wider doorways and elevators. Workstations should be spacious enough to accommodate a wheelchair and ergonomically designed to enhance safety, convenience, and comfort.
While renovating a commercial property may sound like a sizeable investment, there are many perks and ways to save. Small businesses can qualify for incentives like the Disabled Access Credit, which covers the cost of renovations implemented to remove barriers for individuals with disabilities. All companies can also take advantage of tax deductions under section 190 or write off up to $15,000 yearly as business expenses.
Reasonable accommodations
Whether your team member has a permanent disability like the loss of a limb, a temporary ailment like a fracture, or a social complication like a fear of public speaking, finding ways to accommodate them is essential.
Let’s say someone was diagnosed with Tinnitus but wasn’t eligible for benefits. While they have to work to earn a living, they must find a company willing to accommodate their needs. For instance, allowing them to have a white noise machine or radio can be used in their cubicle to ease their discomfort.
Shyness, fear of public speaking, and social anxiety are common but often overlooked. Be proactive by ensuring you understand and accommodate their needs. For instance, someone who’s shy, fears speaking in crowds, or struggles with social anxiety might benefit from digital communications like video conferences, email, and chat.
Another popular accommodation for team members with disabilities and other health problems is allowing service animals in the building. Having a furry friend by your side can reduce your symptoms and boost your mood, enabling you to perform well.
Having a diverse work environment is no longer an option; it’s a necessary attribute to attract and retain the best talent. As your team is undoubtedly one of the most valuable assets, you must invest in their physical, emotional, and social needs. More than the standard race, age, gender, and religion (although necessary), modern-day employers must be forward-thinking to accommodate team members with physical disabilities, mental illness, and social fears.