TRAUMA-INFORMED GUIDING PRINCIPLE #6: Cultural, Historical and Gender Differences
Creating a workplace that honors cultural, historical, and gender differences is an essential part of creating a trauma-informed environment. This approach acknowledges the unique experiences of each individual in the workplace and ensures that everyone feels respected for their different perspectives and contributions. By implementing policies such as providing gender neutral spaces, offering cultural sensitivity training, and celebrating diverse holidays employers can foster an inclusive atmosphere where all employees feel safe to express themselves without fear of judgment or discrimination. Trauma-informed workplaces promote trust, respect, understanding acceptance among coworkers while also helping to create a more successful organization overall.
The workplace is a diverse and dynamic environment, populated with people of different backgrounds, cultures, genders, and experiences. To ensure that everyone in the workplace feels respected and valued for their unique perspectives and contributions, it’s important to honor cultural, historical, and gender differences. Here are three policies that employers can implement to create an inclusive work atmosphere:
1. Offer Cultural Awareness Events – Employers can consider inviting employee resource groups (ERGs) to lead informational sessions or host events that provide insight to cultural strengths, history, and current challenges to increase cultural sensitivity. This helps employees understand how culture impacts communication styles as well as how to respectfully engage in conversations about sensitive topics like race or religion. Additionally, this will help create an environment where all employees feel comfortable being themselves without having to worry about being judged for their beliefs or background.
2. Provide Gender Neutral Spaces – Workplaces can also provide individual gender-neutral spaces such as bathrooms. This reinforces the idea that everyone deserves equal treatment regardless of sex or gender identity. Furthermore, these types of spaces send a message that all employees are welcome and accepted in the workplace.
3. Acknowledge Culturally Diverse Holidays – Employers can also celebrate different holidays and recognize their significance in different cultures. This can be done through posters, emails, activities, or other initiatives. By celebrating diverse holidays, employers show respect for the many backgrounds that make up their staff and demonstrate an understanding of cultural differences. Moreover, this can help foster cross-cultural connections as well as strengthen team unity overall.
By implementing these policies, employers can create an inclusive work environment where everyone feels respected regardless of culture, background or gender identity. Allowing employees to feel comfortable being themselves will lead to higher employee satisfaction and engagement—and ultimately a more successful organization overall.