Business communication tools are used for a variety of reasons, but you may be unaware of how important they are to support Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).
One way they do this is through anonymous employee feedback. Anonymity is powerful in the workplace, and when it comes to giving feedback to upper management, it is essential.
Let’s take a look at a few ways the right communication tools can make anonymity possible and why it matters.
What Is Anonymous Feedback?
Anonymous feedback, unlike direct feedback, enables your employees to share feedback to teammates or other organizational members without attaching their name to it.
In the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) realm, anonymous feedback is a priceless tool that ensures your employees can feel safe to voice their opinion.
How Does It Impact Diversity Equity Inclusion
DEI should drive your organization on multiple levels, but it can nevertheless feel overwhelming and frustrating to get it right.
Whether you’re a manager or a talent acquisition expert, focusing on DEI should occur during recruitment and throughout an employee’s journey. It should be an ongoing initiative that helps your company to live and breathe.
The advantage of anonymous feedback to DEI is that your team cannot outpace assessments, reporting, and any necessary improvements. Data won’t lie to you. Instead of trying to guess your way to areas of improvements, anonymous feedback shows you exactly where you stand and a path toward success.
In this respect, the data and insights you get from employees and candidates allow you to….
– Empower your team.
– Hold team members accountable.
– Encourage transparent communication.
– Prioritize DEI initiatives
The value of anonymity exceeds these benefits. Consider the following advantages of anonymous communication tools for DEI, below.
The Importance of Anonymous Communication Tools for DEI
Anonymous communication tools do much to support DEI in the workplace. Clear communication is a big part of creating a transparent environment and company culture where everyone feels seen, heard, and supported. Consider a few additional ways the right communication tool can make fostering DEI in your organization easier.
Produces A Safer Environment
Giving feedback is uncomfortable, regardless of who you are or your position in an organization. A public forum where employees give feedback to upper management can be even more uncomfortable. Sensitive topics complicate things further.
Fear of not being taken seriously or of retaliation is equally challenging. People of underrepresented groups are further impacted. When filing a complaint is limited to a comment box, it is even more stressful for everyone.
For this reason, employees turn to anonymous feedback, creating a safe environment. Instead of feeling like they will be retaliated against for speaking up, they can speak freely, making the workplace more inclusive.
New Employees Feel Empowered
New employees not in senior positions look more favorable to anonymous feedback. Feeling empowered to share feedback with higher-ups is important. A neutral stance is significant for creating the foundation for that empowerment. Sharing real opinions is the only way to get the entire team on the same page.
Reduces Biases
Another benefit of anonymous communication and feedback is the reduction of biases. When personal biases are set aside, employees feel they can be honest with the leadership team.
Conversely, when employees feel biases are a part of the equation, they are more likely to withhold ideas. That hurts the entire organization as a whole.
New ideas bring innovation and growth, which are critical to a healthy organization. Unconscious biases suppress certain voices, causing those groups to be taken less seriously. Anonymity reduces the likelihood of those prejudices affecting the decisions of leadership.
Increases Retention
Replacing an employee costs companies between $30,000 and $45,000, or 6 to 9 months of an employee’s salary, according to The Society For Human Resource Management (SHRM). Recruiting and training an employee is an extra expenditure that is better to avoid. When organizations allow an option for anonymous feedback, they’re creating a healthier company culture that reduces turnover.
Improves Morale
Employees who feel heard are happy employees and are more motivated to work harder for your organization. Employee satisfaction should be a top priority for upper management members who want an increase in productivity.
Presents A Clear Picture of Your Organization
Feedback is one of the few ways upper management can dive deep into what employees think. Getting a better grip on areas where you’re succeeding and where there is room for improvement is priceless to organizational growth. However, the method through which this information is collected matters. The right data helps managers connect the dots.
How to Use Anonymous Feedback
Once you have anonymous employee feedback, the next step is figuring out what to do with it. Employees should feel valued, and their concerns should be taken seriously. Management should also take steps to change the situation and support their employees. Action should be taken wherever possible, as well.
By collecting feedback and data regularly, companies can create a healthier environment where all voices are heard and valued equally. DEI is the foundation on which all organizations can thrive, and with the right communication strategy, it can be easier to execute.
How AnonyMoose Can Help
AnonyMoose is a unique communication tool that allows employees to provide anonymous feedback directly, instantly, and privately. Employees can discuss their issues with leadership on a one-on-one basis.
That communication happens through:
• Openlines—Perfect for offering feedback, suggestions, and ideas anonymously
• Hotlines—Set up for incident reporting
• Polls and Surveys—Ideal for instant anonymous pulsing
• Broadcasting—Simultaneous communication
Learn more about AnonyMoose here, or reach out to our team directly to get a quick tool demo.
