Startups

5 Ways Startups Can Help Employees from All Backgrounds Feel Welcome

  • 4 min Read
  • August 5, 2019

Author

Neha De
Neha De

Neha De is a writer and editor with more than 13 years of experience. She has worked on a variety of genres and platforms, including books, magazine articles, blog posts and website copy. She is passionate about producing clear and concise content that is engaging and informative. In her spare time, Neha enjoys dancing, running and spending time with her family.

Table of Contents

As a new startup, you can set your company culture and employee morale right from the outset.

You’ve worked hard to hire the right people for your business. This may mean you have people of all ages, races, genders, religions and political affiliations sharing a space.

In addition, you want them to feel comfortable and happy so you can build a cohesive team. To do this, they must all be welcomed.

Here are five ways startups can help employees from all backgrounds feel welcome. 

#1: Startup at the Top

A feeling of welcome and belonging starts with your leadership team. This means you and any of your executives.

If you all want to create a diverse culture focused on inclusion with a mix of people that complement each other, you must first be open to working with people of different backgrounds. And, then, your leadership team must be willing to set the tone for your startup.

Your leadership team has the ability to create a healthy, welcoming company culture. Once they set the tone, you’ll find the rest falls into place. The rest of your staff will take on a welcoming attitude, and your company culture is set.

#2: Connect with Your Employees

Another way to help your team feel welcome is to have an open door policy. This should extend widely throughout your company.

Create a place where everyone feels free to be themselves. Your workplace should be free from discrimination and feel safe to everyone regardless of their background.

You can also show transparency to your team. Be open about your own life and feelings. This helps bring everyone into your sphere, so they feel welcome.

In addition, provide ways for your employees to provide feedback in a safe forum. Consider anonymous surveys to gauge the temperature of your startup. See if everyone really feels welcome, and if not, make a plan to change things.

#3: Plan Inclusive Activities

You want to show your staff that they fit in and are welcome every day. This extends from the little daily activities to the larger ones.

For example, when it comes to team-building activities, think about your team make-up. Is everyone going to feel comfortable in this social arena?

When planning social outings, consider people’s beliefs and comfort levels where alcohol is involved. Some of your team may even have lived through addiction either with themselves or another family member.

Everyone has different talents, abilities, and comfort levels, so when planning activities, make sure they still feel welcoming and inclusive.

#4: Talk About It

You want to have an open dialogue about diversity in the workplace. When people feel like they can talk about it, everyone feels more welcome and included.

Consider asking your team for feedback to learn what you could do better. For example, your 60-year-old employees may have a different idea than your 20-something team members. Maybe your older staff have a hard time with technology, but everyone assumes they know what to do.

#5: Take a Stand

You may run into issues on occasion. When you do, take a stand.

If you see something that doesn’t look or feel right, don’t slide it under the rug. Take a stand and deal with it promptly.  

Final Thoughts

According to the Pew Research Center, by 2055 the United States will have no racial or ethnic majority. 

Diversity in the workplace has never been more important, and it’s helpful for you to have a diverse team who can propel your startup into the future.

Diverse teams create diverse products and reach a broader range of people.

And employees who feel welcome and comfortable are more able to express themselves, perform better, be more productive, and more engaged in your startup.

The first thing you can do is employ a diverse team. The second thing you can do is make them feel welcome. By using the tips here, you can set yourself apart as a business leader and one moving towards present and future success.

Are you a new startup ready to succeed? Are you looking to get your new business off the ground and watch it rise to success? We are here for you. We can help answer your questions and guide you through the process. Outsource your HR duties, finances, payroll and more to us. Contact Escalon today to get started.

Image: ROOM on Unsplash

Talk to our team today to learn how Escalon can help take your company to the next level.

  • Expertise you can trust

    Our team is made up of seasoned professionals who bring years of industry experience to the table. You gain a trusted advisor who understands your business inside out.

  • Quality and consistency

    Say goodbye to the hassles of hiring, training and managing in-house finance teams. You will never have to worry about unexpected leave of absence or retraining new employees.

  • Scalability and Flexibility

    Whether you’re a small business or a global powerhouse, our solutions scale with your needs. We eliminate inefficiencies, reduce costs and help you focus on growing your business.

Contact Us Today!

Tap into the latest insights from experts in your industry

People Management & HR

2025 Employment Law Updates: What to Know

As we step into 2025, businesses across the country face several important updates in labor laws and employee benefits. Staying...

Read More
Startups

5 Signs Your Startup Needs an Outsourced CFO  

5 Signs Your Startup Needs an Outsourced CFO   Startups often operate with lean teams, but as they grow, financial complexity...

Read More
Leadership & Growth

CG Startups: How to Keep Costs Low While Scaling Operations 

Consumer Goods Startups: How to Keep Costs Low While Scaling Operations  Scaling a consumer goods startup requires a careful balancing...

Read More
Press Releases

Escalon Expands Its Reach: Full Stack Finance and Early Growth Join Forces with Industry Leader 

Escalon Expands Its Reach: Full Stack Finance and Early Growth Join Forces with Industry Leader  In a strategic move that...

Read More
Taxes

Delaware Annual Review: What Series A-C Startups Must Know to Stay Compliant 

Delaware Annual Review: What Series A-C Startups Must Know to Stay Compliant  For startups incorporated in Delaware, staying compliant is...

Read More
Taxes

Tax Planning for Startups: Preparing for Your First Tax Filing

Tax Planning for Startups: Preparing for Your First Tax Filing as a Growing Business  For many startups, the first major...

Read More
Taxes

Unlock Tax Savings with the R&D Tax Credit

As a startup, managing cash flow and minimizing expenses are critical to your business's survival and growth. One often-overlooked opportunity...

Read More
Accounting & Finance

1099 Compliance for Early Stage Startups

1099 Compliance for Early Stage Startups As your startup grows from seed funding to Series A, B, or C, you’ll...

Read More
Accounting & Finance

Meet the Experts at Escalon: Ankush Sharma

Welcome to our new series, Meet the Escalon Experts, where we introduce you to industry leaders shaping your business’s future....

Read More