Unity through diversity and inclusion are main things we focus on our workspace. Inclusion does not mean controlling everyone and telling them what and how to do, it means to accept everyone for who there.

Working as a manager with different nationalities in a big retail store for the past 2 years has given me so much experience about diversity and inclusion. We have created our own Instagram page where all our associates hard work is being celebrated and appreciated. Moreover, we make sure we give them badges for the challenges they win and for their hard work. Once a month a survey is being conducted by our co-manager in order to get suggestions from associates in order to improve anything in the store or for the associates. Also, every six months a computer-based learning module is given to all associates about diversity and inclusion.

Having a PLN that is public and engaging, requires risk assessment and policy understanding. Let’s consider the following questions along with the explanations.

  • How does social media engage and challenge communications ? Is it inclusive?

Social media engagement is a measure of how people interact with an individual’s social media account and content. Engagement comes in different forms such as likes, comments, shares, mentions and retweets to name a few. Engaging in social media helps individuals to connect with various other people/organizations and even professional from all around the world regardless of where they come from. Where as, social media challenges are when it affects our social skills (decrease of face-to-face communication), decreases self esteem and confidence and not being able to fully trust the other party. Therefore, it is inclusive.

  • Does your PLN amplify the views of others?

Yes, my PLN does amplify the views of others because we are from different parts of the world, and we all think in different ways. Having a diverse group of individuals not only stops us from thinking from one perspective but helps us think from different perspectives.  

  • The policies of employer social media communication expectations.

The employer social media communication expectations would be informing employees to avoid talking negatively about their colleagues, their employer and its customers, clients, and contractors. Also, that any work-related grievances could be directly handled by the HR department directly. Reminding employees to respect law when posting on social media and not to violate any relevant data protection or copyright laws. Attention should be given to other company policies which might be relevant to social media use such as bullying and harassment or equality and diversity policies.