Inclusive Diversity emphasizes the importance of building inclusive workplaces and is comprised of a set of behaviors that promote collaboration, creativity and innovation, high performance, fairness and respect, and an environment where employees believe they belong.
At DHS, Inclusive Diversity means building a purpose-driven workplace where all employees feel they belong and have a voice. We value a diverse workforce, and our leadership prioritizes the wellbeing of our employees so they feel they are contributing meaningfully to their teams, and are recognized for their efforts. we are rooting these values so that they show up in our work and in our interactions with each other, beginning the the publication of our Inclusive Diversity Strategic Plan.
We are proud of how far we’ve come, but we know we have more work to do. Having the highest qualified candidates that represent the public that we serve, our goal is to use lessons we have learned to shape our future. We take our commitment to embed an inclusive mindset seriously so that it resonates in all we do.
Like other organizations, our employees are dealing with social unrest and the enduring impacts from COVID-19. DHS takes pride in prioritizing the needs of its employees, considering recent events - this care is needed now more than ever.
We have created workshops and seminars to help employees build thinking and practice skills to lean into difficult but important conversations—no matter the experience, job series, focus of education, or title. These offerings focus on engaging employees across a broad spectrum of mindsets and belief systems to develop the necessary skills that will enable them to meet, understand, and interact with individuals of diverse populations.
Our Intentional Inclusion training teaches the brain science of inclusion, and how inclusion impacts workplace interactions to create high-performing teams that embrace innovation and creativity.
Our Inclusive Diversity Dialogues Program (IDDP) provides a facilitated mechanism for employees to come together productively – no matter the job title or function – to navigate important topics, understand how to model inclusive workplace behavior, and to develop trust.
Our future must produce an environment that builds on individual talents—an environment that will create a feeling of belonging and where everyone is valued. To bring this to life, a few examples of our focus areas include:
- An updated Inclusive Diversity Strategic Plan that provides DHS a roadmap to leverage Inclusive Diversity values and principles in all areas of the organization.
- An Inclusive Diversity Education Program with a suite of options that include innovative forums like podcasts that reach a large audience, and learning opportunities for our senior executives to support movement to actions and outcomes.
- Mobilizing change agents throughout DHS that involves employees who want to be part of the solution and create a model workplace.
Contact inclusion@hq.dhs.gov for more information.