February 2021
Membership News & Information
Is your membership up to date? If you have renewed your ECIHRA membership for 2021? If not, please visit www.ecihra.org today!
If you have renewed, please view your member profile, review your information, and make any necessary updates and changes.
Thank you! We appreciate you as a valued member of East Central Indiana HR Association!
Calendar of Events
Dorica Young-Watson is a certified Life Coach, community advocate, consultant and volunteer who is currently dreaming about her next opportunity after spending the last 13 years as the director of a relationship-based empowerment initiative and trainer.
She joins us for our March membership meeting to present "The Hidden Rules at Play."
The Hidden Rules at Play takes a look at how our experiences in connection with economic influences - often subtly yet significantly - behaviors that show up in the workplace, social settings, community and in schools. An understanding of our rules and the rules around us will better prepare us to navigate the systems in which we exist and support others on their journey toward long term stability.
Meeting registration is now open! Register today!
SHRM and HRCI Approved Credits Information
Exciting news! ECIHRA is now an approved provider of HRCI credits!
Diversity in the Workplace
Five Benefits of diversity in the workplace
indeed.com
Diverse workplaces employ people of different genders, ages, races, cultural backgrounds, languages, ideologies, sexual orientation, physical and mental abilities, and national origin. Why is diversity important in the workplace? Here are five major advantages to fostering a diverse workplace:
1. Expanded creativity and problem-solving
A diverse workforce brings a wide variety of people with different experiences, skills, perspectives and insights together to solve problems. Diversity increases innovation, creativity and strategic thinking because teams of people who come from different backgrounds can draw upon their unique experiences and wider range of knowledge to spark new, innovative ideas.
In fact, according to a study by social scientist Adam Galinsky, people who have close relationships with someone from another country score higher on creativity tests.
2. Better decision-making
Diverse groups of employees pull from a wider range of sources and experiences. That can help them make sounder decisions, leading to improved results for your business. Diverse teams make better decisions than non-diverse teams up to 87% of the time, according to one study. Scientists believe that inclusive teams often outperform homogenous ones when it comes to decision making because they process facts more carefully.
3. Increased profitability and productivity
Ambitious professionals are often more attracted to inclusive companies. This can result in a more motivated, efficient workforce and increased productivity and profitability. In fact, according to an Indeed survey, 55% of job seekers say it is very or extremely important to work at a company that prioritizes diversity and inclusion.*
Not only are diverse teams more productive, but diversity also pays off in terms of profitability. One study shows that companies in the top quartile for gender diversity on their executive teams are 15% more likely to generate above-average profitability compared to companies in the bottom quartile whose executive teams are predominantly white males.
4. Enhanced employee engagement and retention
Employees often feel more comfortable and happier in inclusive environments. They also tend to be more loyal and apt to stay longer at companies where their unique contributions are recognized and respected.
Overall, workplace equality can increase confidence and encourage employees to achieve their best. Teams often have higher morale and are more productive, innovative and loyal to the organization.
5. Better company reputation
When businesses promote diversity, they’re perceived as more relatable, socially responsible and human by a greater number of people. This can improve your overall brand reputation, leading to new customers, partnerships and markets.
Not only that, but an Indeed survey shows that 17% of job seekers say that inclusivity and diversity displayed in the hiring process is one of the top factors for helping them develop a feeling of positive connection or camaraderie with a company during the interview stage.**
Other News
Shafer Leadership Academy offers "Understanding and Responding to Implicit Bias and Micro-Aggressions"
Does your organization have a plan? These can be difficult topics to address in the workplace. Shafer Leadership Academy is here to help!
More information is available here.
IRS Clarifies Relief for FSA Carry-Overs
Employers may allow FSA participants to carry over unused amounts into 2021 and 2022. Read the full article here.
