Volume 13│Issue 3│Fall/Winter 2022
Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace (Healthcare) — Part 2 Pam Lindsey, MSN, RN - Magnet Program Director & Monica Coles, DNP, APRN, MEDSURG - BC, ACNS-BC, CDP - Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist Organizations must ensure benefits and opportunities that exist, be offered to all their employees. No one should be left behind or excluded due to differences, whatever they may be. Promoting ideas of social justice, equal rights, and fairness across the organization and for all employees is one way to accomplish this. All concepts and measures relating to inclusivity must be actively sponsored and encouraged. All forms of discrimination, racism, and exclusivity must be removed for the benefit of the organization and the employees. One way to promote social justice, equal rights, and opportunities is to promote inclusivity in all its forms and aspects. But what is inclusivity, and how can it promote social justice and equal rights and opportunities for all? What are the benefits, if ever, if society practices and promotes it? Finally, what aspects of society are in dire need of inclusivity? There are two types of inclusion: regular or partial inclusion and the other is full inclusion. This metaphor explains the subgroups: Inclusion is like Pregnancy: you either are or are not. There is no such thing as partially pregnant, so one cannot be partially inclusive. Promoting inclusivity is easier in theory than in practice, for biases abound against the marginalized, minorities, women, and people of different genders and mental and physical disabilities. They have been victims of the patriarchal society, majority, the powerful, and the dominant classes throughout history. Think about the idea of inclusive design, whether we are talking about preplanned communities, products, applications, or even fashion, we must think of others, namely, those who are frequently ignored, and not considered. Some clothing designs have a tag that designate ‘one size fits all’ meaning it can be worn by anybody without regard to their body habits. Tools and other devices should be available for use, user friendly and operable by anyone1. Designs must also cater to specific needs, sensibilities, desires, and specific values. Designs for urban planning and buildings, for instance, must consider the needs of everyone. Specific examples are pathways designed for the elderly and persons with disabilities and comfort rooms tailored explicitly for those belonging to different genders1. But let us belabor what should be obvious. In planning for inclusive design, the contributions of those who belong to protected classes, minorities, and the like must be solicited. In designing clothing, for instance, the opinions of the minorities could be solicited to account for their sensibilities. Opinions of women and those of different genders must also be considered and given weight, especially if designing for them. This is the deciding factor in what creates awareness of differences and makes people cognizant of the existence 3. Continued on page 3 Carilion Clinic Roanoke Campus