Corporate America puts new employees through onboarding when first hired to facilitate a smooth introduction to the new role and the new office culture. Onboarding starts with paperwork, such as tax, direct deposit, and emergency contact documents. Onboarding also teaches new hires about expectations and rules at the office. Many states require employers to cover sexual harassment. A popular new trend includes anti-racism courses. Learn why your company needs anti-racism courses during new employee onboarding.

#1. Create an inclusive work environment

A successful professional environment requires vastly different characters to work together openly in order to accomplish the common goal of a successful business. When people feel excluded or get treated unfairly due to the color of their skin, the darkness infiltrates the entire office and affects corporate-wide productivity. Employers who take time for anti-racism courses demonstrate to new hires that they take the situation seriously and consider inclusivity a core foundation that the company builds upon.

#2. Educate employees about the realities of racism

Almost 25% of African-Americans and Latino Americans in 2021 reported experiencing discrimination in the workplace. Unfortunately, many people from traditional backgrounds don't recognize the oppression happening around them every day since they don't experience it firsthand. Anti-racism courses can open the eyes of employees who didn't know about the extent of the issue. 

#3. Establish your corporate values during initial training 

Most organizations establish their core values during the inception of the business. These core values guide executives and entry-level employees to make decisions consistent with the company's principles. New employees will learn to carry these ethics with them throughout their tenure, upholding the original vision of the business. 

#4. Minimize the risk of race-related incidents

In 2021, a judge ordered Tesla to pay a former employee $137 million to compensate the African-American citizen for racially abusive conditions. Failure to address racial issues can leave your company more vulnerable to discrimination cases than if you implemented a clear anti-discrimination policy that includes anti-racism courses during training. Protecting your employees in turn protects you. Furthermore, judges will consider a more lenient settlement for companies who respond to discrimination claims quickly and thoroughly. 

#5. Free

In an effort to improve work conditions, many charitable organizations offer free anti-racism courses that companies can use for free. The company only pays the employee's wage for the time it takes to complete the classes.

 

For more information, contact a local organization like Reconciliation Education.

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