DEI stands for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. DEI training is a form of employee training that aims to educate individuals about these three concepts and help create a more inclusive workplace.
Diversity refers to the presence of differences in the workplace, such as differences in race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, religion, and ability. Diversity is important because it brings different perspectives and experiences to the workplace, which can lead to more creativity and innovation.
Equity refers to fairness and justice in the workplace. It involves ensuring that all employees have access to the same opportunities, resources, and benefits, regardless of their background or identity.
Inclusion refers to creating a workplace culture that welcomes and values all individuals, regardless of their differences. An inclusive workplace is one where employees feel comfortable being themselves and are able to contribute to their fullest potential.
DEI training can include a variety of topics, such as unconscious bias, cultural competence, respectful communication, allyship, and addressing systemic barriers to equity and inclusion. The goal of DEI training is to increase awareness and understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion issues, and to provide employees with the skills and knowledge they need to create a more inclusive and equitable workplace.
The Importance of DEI Training for Businesses
DEI training is incredibly important for businesses for several reasons:
Increased Productivity
DEI training can help create a more inclusive and equitable workplace, where all employees feel valued and respected. This can lead to increased motivation, engagement, and productivity among employees.
Improved Retention
When employees feel included and supported in the workplace, they are more likely to stay with the company long-term. DEI training can help reduce turnover and retain top talent.
Better Decision-Making
A diverse and inclusive workplace brings together individuals with different perspectives and experiences. This can lead to better decision-making, as diverse teams are more likely to consider a range of viewpoints and come up with more creative solutions.
Enhanced Reputation
Companies that prioritize DEI are more likely to be seen as socially responsible and attractive to customers, investors, and prospective employees. This can enhance the company's reputation and help it stand out in a crowded marketplace.
Legal Compliance
Discrimination and harassment are illegal in many countries and can lead to costly lawsuits and damage to the company's reputation. DEI training can help ensure that all employees understand their legal obligations and how to create a respectful and inclusive workplace.
Eight Critical DEI Topics to Include in Your Training Strategy
There are numerous diversity and inclusion topics that should be included in employee training. Here are some important ones:
Unconscious bias: Employees should be trained on how to identify and address their own unconscious biases, as well as how to avoid making biased decisions in the workplace.
Diversity and inclusion terminology: Employees should be familiarized with commonly used terms and concepts related to diversity and inclusion, such as gender identity, cultural competence, and microaggressions.
Cultural awareness: Employees should learn about different cultures, customs, and beliefs in order to avoid misunderstandings and promote a more inclusive workplace.
Harassment and discrimination: Employees should be trained on what constitutes harassment and discrimination, how to report incidents, and how to support colleagues who have experienced such treatment.
Inclusive communication: Employees should learn how to communicate in a way that is respectful and inclusive, such as using gender-neutral language and avoiding assumptions about people's backgrounds or identities.
Intersectionality: Employees should be educated about how different aspects of identity, such as race, gender, and sexual orientation, can intersect and affect people's experiences and perspectives.
Accessibility: Employees should learn how to create an accessible workplace for people with disabilities, such as by ensuring that physical spaces are wheelchair-friendly and digital content is compatible with screen readers.
Allyship: Employees should be trained on how to be effective allies to marginalized groups, such as by speaking up against discriminatory behavior and advocating for inclusive policies and practices.
About LMS Portals
At LMS Portals, we provide our clients and partners with a SaaS-based, multi-tenant learning management system that allows you to launch a dedicated training environment (a portal) for each of your unique audiences.
The system includes built-in, SCORM-compliant course authoring software that enables most anyone to build engaging courses quickly and easily.
We also offer a complete library of ready-made courses, covering most every aspect of corporate training and employee development.
If you choose to, you can create Learning Paths to deliver courses in a logical progression and add structure to your training program. The system also supports Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT) and provides tools for social learning.
Together, these features make the LMS Portals platform the ideal solution for your DEI training and employee development programs.
Contact us today to get started or visit our Partner Program pages