Creating an Inclusive Work Environment
Creating an inclusive work environment where each person feels valued and included is the responsibility of all employees. These resources are a sampling of how to create a physical and virtual space inclusive to a variety of identities.
Inclusion Starts With an I(3.27)
This short video reviews the importance of a positive, inclusive work environment. This video demonstrates that bias can appear in both expected and unexpected ways—and that each of us has the power to make a difference.
Be an Ally (2:00)
Watch this short video from Deloitte. If you hear someone being diminished, be an ally. If you see someone being excluded, be an ally. If someone’s voice needs amplifying, be an ally. If people need educating, be an ally.
National Institutes of Health DEI Calendar
Recognize a wide variety of holidays and recognition days by utilizing a virtual DEI calendar.
Creating Space for Religions Diversity at Work – Article
Create and communicate availability of a safe space for religious or spiritual practices.
Transgender Inclusion in the Workplace – Toolkit
Review this toolkit for opportunities to improve inclusivity for transgender and all employees who identify as LGBTQIA+. Some examples include advocating and creating all-gender restrooms and display of objects such as flags, lanyards, and pins which support LGTBQIA+ communities.
LinkedIn: How to Use Gender Pronouns in Email Signatures – Article
Virtually, consider displaying pronouns on email signatures, names during meetings, and instant messages.
DEI Commitment Statement Guide – Article
Display organization and/or pharmacy department DEI statement on website, staff meetings, interviews, and promotional materials.
Ways to Make a Workplace Inclusive for Breastfeeding – Article
Breastfeeding parents should have availability of breaks during the workday and access to clean and private space. (It’s also the law!) Here is an example of how to make space inclusive for breastfeeding as well as an example of a purchasable lactation pod if your work environment does not have a space for breastfeeding.
ASHP Inclusion Center – Article
Guidance document to incorporate DEI principles when creating projects, programs, deliverables, and initiatives for an organization.
Reducing Bias in the Workplace
We all have bias and, gone unchecked, bias can make team members feel resentful, frustrated, and silenced. The first step to reducing implicit biases is learning more about them.
The Peril of Unchecked Bias (6:00)
Watch this with your team to create common language and team norms around spotting bias and when to flag them during team conversations.
How the Best Bosses Interrupt Bias on Their Teams - Article
From Harvard Business Review
Understand Your Implicit Biases – Project Implicit
Project implicit has several facial recognition tests to help users better understand implicit biases.
Creating Equitable and Inclusive Hiring Practices
Creating an intentional, standardized method of incorporating inclusive hiring practices is one avenue to supporting a diverse workforce who have equitable opportunities for advancement.
De-identified Application Materials to Improve Workplace Diversity – Article
De-identified application materials can reduce biases based on name, affiliations, age, and other identity characteristics.
Framework for Inclusive Recruitment Strategies: Journal of the Association of American Medical Colleges
This framework, while not pharmacy-focused, demonstrates a framework for incorporating inclusive recruitment practices with diversity as a priority.
ASHP Diversity Resource Guide (DRG) for Diversity in Residency Training and the Pharmacy Workforce – Article
Guidance document for pharmacy residency programs on implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within their organization.
Neurodiverse Hiring Practices – 60 minutes clip
Many adults with autism have a hard time finding a job, but more companies are discovering the unique skills and potential people with autism offer.
Additional Equitable Hiring Practice Recommendations
- Include organization and/or pharmacy department DEI statement, gender neutral terms, and images reflecting diversity of the organization on recruitment materials
- Focus recruitment on diverse pool of candidates from a variety of geographic locations
- Rank candidates with holistic point-based criteria which includes points for engagement in DEI related activities
- Require bias training for staff involved in selection process
- Include diverse representation on selection and interview panels
- Utilize virtual/video interviews to minimize geographic and cost barriers
- For on-site interviews, orient job candidates to amenities such as all-gender restrooms and provide breaks throughout the process for personal needs
- Integrate DEI questions during interviews
Leadership Resources
Celebrating diversity, creating inclusive spaces, and equitable opportunities is a lifelong process. Consider incorporating the below resources into your leadership and professional development.
Prepare Yourself to Lead Courageously - Article
Learn more about what it means to be an ally and how allyship in action creates productive, equitable, and inclusive workplaces for everyone.
Step Up and Speak Up (2:00)
This video focuses on some amazing children and young adults. Being a leader who acts courageously means learning how and when to step up and speak up – instrumental for any high-reliability organization. Learn from these young folks and take away points to include in your practice.
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: Tools to Guide your Health Equity Journey
Reference this toolkit to identify how to create health equity within your community.
Gallup: Advancing DEI Initiatives – Guide for Organization Leaders
This guide (free with signup) outlines a framework for organizational leaders on how to build a sustainable DEI program. Consider this framework a starting point for leaders to implement DEI into a department or organization.
Racial Equity Toolkit: Operationalize Equity
This guide outlines key components needed to operationalize racial equity within patient or workplace initiatives.
16 Steps to Incorporate DEI Into Daily Operations - Article
Are you asking, “Where do I even start?” This simple step-by-step guide from Forbes outlines how to incorporate DEI into the workplace.
Employee Engagement Recommendations
- Provide DEI resources on shared department websites/platforms
- Include DEI department overview at new employee and resident orientations
- Involve front-line employees in a DEI Workgroup/Awareness Group/Steering Team
- Incorporate DEI topics into huddles, team meetings, and/or topic discussions
- Establish virtual space for DEI resource sharing amongst employees
- Include diverse representation in employee recognition and promotions
- Incorporate DEI criteria in performance reviews
- Include DEI articles in pharmacy department newsletters
Leadership Engagement Recommendations
- Encourage management team to share personal stories/importance of DEI
- Involve management team in DEI Workgroup/Awareness Group/Steering Team
- Integrate DEI questions into facility or department climate/engagement surveys
- Require management team to lead pharmacy department DEI initiatives
- Regularly review, assess, and update policies to further incorporate DEI into department structure
- Integrate DEI initiatives into department strategic planning