PR&LA Winter 2018

Winter 2018 • PENNSYLVANIA RESTAURANT & LODGING matters •  25 council to help identify specific areas of diversity that require special attention. Successful diversity and inclusion training programs include: • An outline of the company’s expectations regarding diversity and inclusion during the onboarding process. • Periodic casual opportunities, such as a “Lunch and Learn,” for employees to learn about the benefits of diversity and inclusion. • Continuous online opportunities for employees to learn about diversity and inclusion at their company. • Skill-building classes or labs with subject matter ranging from multi-generational training to intercultural communication. • Community outreach programs in which employees enter communities “out of their comfort zone” to learn about environments different from theirs. To demonstrate their openness and commitment to diversity, organizations and training programs must embrace: • Integration of differences, focusing on strengths while minimizing weaknesses. • Respecting differences and individual talents and ideas. • Embracing what we have in common. • Striving to reach a goal by working as a team. Ultimately, it comes down to the people of your company looking past the things that make us different (race, ethnicity, age, religion, etc.) and embracing the ideas and visions of all people. Doing so will make your company better. Our world is changing rapidly. Companies that recognize and react accordingly will bring in top talent faster and have a higher retention rate than those that lag behind. The people you interview for positions in your company are part of this fast-changing world and will quickly recognize if you are embracing diversity or simply paying lip service to the idea. Don’t fall behind! • This article was originally published in Training Industry Magazine, www.trainingindustry.com/ magazine/.