More and more companies are taking steps toward diversity. The next step? A workplace where everyone feels at home.
According to new research from the Social and Cultural Planning Office (SCP), recently reported by NOS , Dutch workplaces are becoming increasingly diverse. Yet, many people still don't feel truly accepted or treated equally. In other words, more diversity doesn't automatically mean more inclusion.
At Refugee Talent Hub, we recognize this. Many organizations are already doing a good job recruiting people from diverse backgrounds, but the challenge lies in what comes next: how do you ensure that everyone feels welcome, heard, and seen?
That's why we're sharing five tips for a more inclusive workplace:
- Really listen and act on it . Ask what could be improved and act on that feedback. Then share what you've done with it. This builds trust and demonstrates that inclusion isn't an empty promise.
- Make room for differences in communication and culture . Not everyone expresses themselves in the same way. Recognize these differences in culture and communication. Train managers to consciously create space for different styles and ways of working. This prevents silent voices from going unnoticed.
- Ensure everyone has the right opportunities for growth . Inclusion is about participating and growing. Adjust development programs, language levels, or performance reviews as needed. Accessible career paths and mentorship help retain talent, not lose it.
- Embed inclusion in daily routines . Inclusion doesn't belong in a policy document, but in how you collaborate every day. Think: mixed project teams, joint lunches, celebrations of different holidays, or buddies for new colleagues. Small, consistent habits make all the difference.
- Lead by example . Inclusion starts with what you do, not what you write. Show curiosity, create space, and correct exclusion where you see it. Inclusion doesn't start with training, but with behavior.
As the SCP states: "Recruiting diverse staff alone isn't enough." Inclusion requires conscious choices, attention, and behavior. Every single day. Want to know how your organization can become more inclusive? Schedule a meeting with us, and we'd be happy to brainstorm ideas about what works in your workplace.
Want to read more?
- Measuring as the first step towards an inclusive workplace
- In conversation with NS : A workplace where everyone feels at home
- In conversation with ISS : We must give each other space