Resources
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Use people metrics to better understand the workforce and drive accountability
Tags Share Accountability is an important dignity element. And what’s measured matters: Data, including diversity data, can indicate problem spots on the ground, including sometimes unforeseen structural inequities. Organizations that compile and share workforce-related data and measure sentiments regarding the behaviors that honor dignity and drive inclusion are holding themselves accountable to their commitments. Listening…
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External communications and data transparency
Tags Share Public facing communications should be dignity and inclusion-focused, complement real actions being taken organizationally, be honest in their representation of the workplace, and be supported with data and benchmarks (such as around diversity) that are shared transparently. Failing to visibly showcase organizational commitments, actions and goals around dignity-related matters both pushes away potential…
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Community Engagement, Public Policy and Philanthropy
Tags Share Taking stands that show awareness (in social media, public statements, rethinking advertising, or political spending), and having hard conversations (such as in the context of external crises) are important. However, really driving change and centering dignity comes through sustained action that connects with and supports local communities, and responds to urgencies that affect…
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Procurement and supply chain
Tags Share Procurement of goods and services and supply chain relationships all involve workers whose efforts help advance the retaining organization’s work. Contractors often work alongside organizational staff; they are the extended workforce. The ability to influence those relationships is real, and allows an organization to use best efforts to ensure that non-staff workers are…
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Support career development
Tags Share Supporting people’s career development is a core element of any leadership role. Day-to-day and during key development-related junctures, leaders have opportunities to honor dignity by thinking inclusively about career development and probing management’s practices and decision-making processes. Employees rely on their managers to support their development and goals, recognize their contributions, and trust…
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Strengthen synergies across teams
Tags Share No team operates in a vacuum. Rather, its work relies on synergies, partnerships, and relationships with adjacent colleagues. And the feedback from and advocacy of those partners, especially those who are key stakeholders in your team’s work, can have an impact on the engagement and growth of people on your team. All of…
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Manage team meetings inclusively
Tags Share Relationships across a team and the operational norms teams follow when they meet have a direct effect on dignity-honoring elements like recognition, inclusion, independence, fairness, and understanding. Signals from managers indicate what’s important, whether all voices matter, how recognition is delivered, and how workplace stress is handled. As always, the manager sets the…
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Compensation
Tags Share Economic dignity and the safety to discuss it are at the core of workplace dignity, as compensation (salary, bonuses, etc.) is principally tied to the dignity-honoring elements of recognition, inclusion, and fairness. Employees should be paid equally for equal work in similar roles. Subjective factors that affect compensation should be reduced wherever possible,…
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Benefits
Tags Share Thoughtful and inclusive benefits signal the value an employer places on an employee’s labor, beyond day-to-day recognition and compensation. They can generate a sense of inclusion, recognition, fairness, and safety—all of which promote dignity. And they provide crucial security (such as health insurance and paid leave), notably in times of unexpected external or…
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Physical, Remote and Virtual Workplaces
Tags Share Where people work is central to their work experience. Opportunities to honor dignity (and the potential for dignity challenges) exist in all on-site and virtual workplaces. While working from home (or other remote locations) became more common due to COVID-19 in some industries, it has been repeatedly embraced by employees (for at least…
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Compliance and Other Training and Education
Tags Share Workplace culture and conduct training programs are often necessary to meet legal or other requirements. While such proscriptive efforts, standing alone, do not create a dignity-centered workplace or ensure its sustained impact (particularly if senior leaders are exempted), they can be delivered in creative ways that also honor dignity, advance stated values, and…
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Grassroots and Other Employee Efforts
Tags Share Employee empowerment and recognition advance workplace dignity. Many employees may lead efforts focused on inclusion or community engagement, such as an employee resource group (ERG) or a volunteer initiative. Especially in the case of collectives like ERGs, grassroots efforts can advance dignity by offering safe places for individuals from underrepresented groups to discuss…
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