Everyone has different experiences and perspectives that they bring to the table, and it’s through these differences that everyone can learn and grow.
When it comes to workplace culture, diversity and inclusion are two of the most important buzzwords. But what do they actually mean?
Diversity refers to the presence of different groups of people within a workplace, while inclusion is about making sure that everyone feels welcome, respected and valued. A diverse workforce can bring a wide range of skills, experiences and perspectives, which can make a workplace more innovative and creative.
Yet, simply having a diverse workforce is not enough – if there is not a culture of inclusion, then people from minority groups can feel isolated and excluded. That’s why diversity and inclusion training is so important. It helps employees to become more aware of their own biases and to understand how to create a more inclusive workplace culture.
Is this year’s theme for National Carers Week (16-22 October 2022) in Australia. It’s a time to raise community awareness, appreciate the diversity of carers, and build cultural awareness in the workplace. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, there are more than 2.65 million carers in Australia providing unpaid care to family members or friends with disability, illness or age-related needs.
The majority of carers are women (4.3 million), with nearly 1 in 4 women aged 45 years and over providing unpaid care. The number of male carers has increased over time – from 1.1 million men in 2006 to 1.6 million men in 2016 – although they still make up a smaller proportion of all carers (26%). The most common reason for taking on a caring role was a sense of family responsibility. Inadvertently, caring responsibilities can affect a person's work and life more generally.
Caring for a family member can be a rewarding experience, but it can also be a difficult and demanding one. Carers make up nearly 11% of Australia’s population. That’s 1-in-10 Australians combining unpaid care and support with paid work.
In many cases, caring for someone can have an impact on their ability to work – whether that’s because they need time off to take them to appointments or simply because they’re tired from juggling work and caring responsibilities. In fact, research shows that 40% of working Australians have had their work affected by their caring responsibilities at some point.
With the rise of globalisation, an ageing population, and the increasing importance of technology, the workforce is becoming more and more diverse. This trend is only set to continue, which means that organisations need to be prepared.
One way to do this is to provide diversity and inclusion training for employees. This type of training can help employees to be more aware of their own biases and how to avoid discriminatory practices. It can also help to create a more inclusive workplace culture.
Another way to prepare for the changing workforce is to support carers. This can be done through flexible working arrangements, targeted support services, and cultural awareness training.
By taking these steps, organisations can create a workplace that is more inclusive and diverse, which will ultimately lead to better business outcomes.
When talking about diversity and inclusion in the workplace, it’s important to remember that everyone is all on a journey. Everyone has different experiences and perspectives that they bring to the table, and it’s through these differences that everyone can learn and grow.
And when it comes to workplace culture, it's important to invest in cultural awareness training. This type of training helps employees understand and appreciate the cultures of their coworkers. It also emphasises the importance of mutual respect and understanding. By making a tangible investment in workplace culture, employers send a strong message that they are committed to creating a positive and inclusive environment. Along with building employees' skill sets, training can also improve morale and retention rates. Ultimately, investing in workplace culture is an investment that benefits everyone involved.
You’re probably asking yourself: How do I go about promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace? What can I do to improve the workplace?
The right training can go a long way. etrainu’s Cultural Awareness Bundle provides holistic training to meet any needs. It covers a variety of topics, from LGBTIQ to Racial Sensitivity—the perfect solution to foster a more culturally aware workforce.
If you’re also interested, take our Cultural Awareness Quiz.
Ref Support has partnered with etrainu to level up referee training by providing a platform for professional development and maximising the way referees learn.
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etrainu is excited to announce the launch of the Aged Care Fundamentals eLibrary - a new aged care library aligned to the strengthened Standards with a person-centred focus.
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etrainu is excited to announce that we will be renewing our sponsorship of the Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) Inclusive Beaches Equipment Program.
