Celebrating MLK Day by creating equity in the workplace

Equity in the workplace is about ensuring all employees are provided with fair and equal opportunities, alongside access to development and support based on their individual needs, so they can be successful in their roles.

We’ve come a long way in recent years – with DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) being embedded in many organizations – but there’s still a lot more that can be done. And employers can play an important part.

Equity in the workplace is important.

Today’s workplaces are often made up of employees from all different backgrounds, who have a diverse range of talents. Therefore, it’s important for employers to understand how to create a workplace that allows all of its people to thrive.

Every employee or prospective employee, regardless of their ethnicity or background, should have freedom of speech, the right to work and the ability to fulfill their potential in their job, without fear of discrimination.

By prioritizing diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace, you have the opportunity to grow your talent pool and focus on skill shortages. But successfully creating equity in the workplace means more than just checking a box.

When an organization actively promotes equity in the workplace, it can increase employee morale and create a desire for them to be more effective and work more efficiently, because they feel valued and accepted. As a result, this can greatly increase employee retention, engagement, and the productivity of your business.

Equity isn’t a new thing. It’s not a fad that will eventually die out. It’s been around for decades and is something that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. championed back in the fifties and sixties.

MLK Day, on January 16, is a great time to reflect on the work Reverend King did to promote racial equality and consider what more needs to be done to create equity for all.

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What is Martin Luther King Day?

Martin Luther King Day is observed annually on the third Monday in January. The day commemorates the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who was a Baptist minister and influential civil rights leader.

Born on January 15, 1929, King stood up for what he believed in. As a result, he’s best known for his work on racial equality and his efforts to end racial segregation in the U.S.

MLK Day is a chance to celebrate King’s life and achievements, reflect on the principles of racial equality that he championed and address the work that still needs to be done to create racial equality.

A great way to celebrate Martin Luther King Day in your organization is by having conversations with employees and learning about the struggles that still exist across historically marginalized groups.

You can create equity in the workplace.

Equity isn’t something that can be tacked on. In order to find success, equity must be embedded, alongside your culture and values, with short- and long-term commitments from every single person in the organization. Here are some tips for creating an equitable workplace:

1. Conduct an equity audit.

Do you accommodate workers with disabilities? Do you have an incentive-based reward system in place? Do you provide equitable pay? Do you have a diverse workforce made up of people from different backgrounds? By evaluating your demographics, policies and processes, you can identify any weaknesses in terms of diversity, equity and inclusion. Conducting an employee engagement survey is also a good way to understand how equitable and inclusive your organization feels to your people.

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2. Provide development opportunities for everyone.

Recognizing that each employee will have a different career path, and that every employee needs development opportunities, can help you create equity in the workplace. Have a formal career pathing process in place. And make sure your leaders sit down with each employee individually to help them identify opportunities for progression so they can grow.

3. Establish salary guidelines with pay bands.

A company that prioritizes DEI must also think about equitable pay for current and future employees. When hiring, it’s recommended not to ask for a candidate’s previous salary (and in many states, it’s illegal to ask) to use as the basis for an offer, because if the candidate was paid unfairly at a previous company, you want to make sure you’re not continuing that cycle.

4. Update your hiring and onboarding practices.

Sometimes, simple changes can have significant impact. For example, by switching up where you post job opportunities, you’re likely to attract a different pool of candidates. Meanwhile, onboarding is a great way to introduce new recruits to your company’s culture, mission and values, including your commitment to DEI in the workplace.

5. Create a DEI council.

A DEI council, made up of a group of employees that reflect the larger organization, can help keep the organization focused and motivated to reach its equity goals. Building an equitable workplace takes a lot of work and it can be easy to lose track of the progress being made. So having a council that meets regularly (at least once a month) to discuss progress and targets, and act as a channel for colleagues to share their feedback and ideas, can greatly improve equity in the workplace.

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