The winter holiday season is a time for businesses and their employees to come together and bond over social events and holiday treats, but it can also be a source of conflict for human resource professionals who are responsible to ensure the season does not impede inclusion and belonging in the workplace or result in religious discrimination.
Celebrating diversity during the holidays is important for organizations to foster a sense of community and learn about different cultures and traditions. It is proven that a diverse workforce has overwhelming benefits and employers should expect employees to show up as their authentic selves, which may include their personal religious holiday observances. The key for employers is to make sure that no one feels excluded or require employees to participate in workplace festivities. Below are some areas that may pose potential conflict:
Every year on November 11, the United States honors those who have served in the Armed Forces. It is a day to show our gratitude and respect for those who have served in the military and to recognize their contributions to the nation’s security and freedom. Veteran’s Day, originally known as Armistice Day, is a federal holiday that was created to observe the anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I in 1918.
Military veterans transitioning into civilian life bring with them vast training and education experience and invaluable skills and characteristics such as:
With the recent overturning of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) standard that afforded flexibility for employer policies and clarifying opinions, it is important for businesses to re-evaluate their policies and procedures. The new standard states that if an employee could reasonably interpret a rule to restrict or prohibit their right to form, join, or assist labor unions, to bargain collectively, to discuss their pay and benefits, and to engage in other concerted activities for mutual aid or protection then that rule is presumed unlawful.
HR policies and procedures are important for businesses because they:
Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated from September 15 to October 15 each year, is a time to celebrate the histories, cultures, and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
According to the Joint Economic Committee Hispanic Entrepreneurship and Business Brief, nearly one in four new businesses is Hispanic-owned. There are more than 300,000 Hispanic-owned, employer businesses located across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. According to the Small Business Association, Hispanic owned businesses employ about 1 million workers, with more than $100 billion in annual payroll. Challenges of Hispanic Employees Hispanic employees face various challenges in the workplace. According to a survey conducted by LinkedIn, Latino professionals aged 18-34:
Of the participants surveyed, 66% of professionals say they would be more interested in working for an organization that makes a public commitment to equity and racial justice. Yet, 50% still reported feeling that their workplace lacks a nurturing environment for those who look like them. Empowering employees’ growth through learning and development (L&D) opportunities is a vital function to equip employees with the knowledge and skills they need to be effective in their roles. It also provides them with a greater understanding of the organization’s processes, procedures, and goals. In turn, it drives better business performance and employee engagement through improved company culture, increased productivity, and supports workplace safety.
When businesses invest in L&D for skills such as conflict resolution, trust building, teamwork, accountability, performance management, and other leadership topics, the effectiveness may be limited if it is not combined with coaching. The reasons it may be ineffective include our own lack of awareness of how we perceive ourselves, how we are perceived, and the challenges inherent with habit changes. Jathan Janove, J.D., states there are blind spots due to the lack of awareness that he calls the “Three Realities Gap.” The realities are:
Even for those who are motivated to put what they learn into practice, it can be challenging due to these blind spots, emotional intelligence, and current habits. |
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