Why Diversity in the Workplace is Important to Millennials

Appealing to a more diverse and unique workforce has become increasingly important to companies, as there is a distinct difference of opinion in what diversity means to millennials and older generations. Millennials are demanding diverse workplaces and holding companies accountable. Does your business want to attract more diverse employees and talented millennials at the same time? Of course you do.

Let us help you better understand millennial personalities and what you can do to ensure that you’re creating a diverse and inclusive environment for them to thrive in.

Millennial Personalities

Having grown up in a world with various representations of race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, national status and disability, millennials’ value system tends to differ from those of other generations. Millennials view diversity of as the blending of different experiences, backgrounds and perspectives within a group of people, and they find this to be a beneficial aspect of the workplace. To a millennial, cognitive diversity is essential for innovation and effectively working as a team. This allows for better results within a business, as it ensures individuals with different viewpoints are acknowledged and accepted. In 10 years, millennials will account for 75% of the workforce. Companies who fail to cater to the desires of this key generation will be left behind, making diversity more important than ever. Here are four steps to create a diverse and inclusive work environment perfect for millennials.  

                                                Avoid ‘Groupthink’ with Cognitive Diversity

When hiring diverse employees, your strategy should involve compiling a workforce that resembles your community, but doing so in a holistic manner. The goal is to retain employees, and this may be difficult if a minority group feels disconnected from your business. Play an active role in helping them adjust to your business culture. A large part of this involves preventing “groupthink” -- when conformity suppresses creativity. Millennials want to feel valued in their workplace with employers identifying how each individual can thrive creatively. A manager is responsible for finding the best way to leverage that diversity.

Avoid Generalizations Across Generations

A millennial’s worldview has been shaped by their experiences, whether social, economic, or political. This generation has grown up in a time where labeling and self-identifying have become less and less prominent. They tend to overlook the fundamental differences between diverse groups, and occasionally overestimate their abilities in the group. Make sure that your workforce encompasses the demographic that you are operating in and that you wish to serve. This may even include asking current employees for referrals to candidates that may be a good fit for your business.

Be Aware of Regional Differences

When working with a diverse environment, it is important to note that regional differences may play a factor in your workforce culture as well.  Work ethic, behavior and motivation may vary by region in which the employee was raised and for a manager, this may create unforeseen challenges. To curb this challenge, it may be beneficial to conduct cross-cultural training within your business. This will help your employees create effective business relationships and develop a better understanding of cultural differences amongst employees.

Personalize The Hiring Process

It is essential to understand employee experiences in the hiring process. This will help you create a better relationship with a potential employee and create a more unique culture for your business. Millennials especially feel that the hiring process is often impersonal and they receive little feedback during the process. Don’t let your hiring process turn into an assembly line and don’t let talented employees fall through the cracks.

Millennials are taking the workforce by storm-- in a short time they will make up over half of the workforce itself. Let us help you attract millennials by creating a diverse and inclusive workplace for them to thrive in. Call your Sioux City Law Firm, Sioux Falls Law Firm, or Omaha Law Firm today!