Key Takeaways A diverse workforce is important because it increases productivity and engagement and creates an organization that better represents the community it serves. During the hiring process, understand the value of word choice, disseminate job postings to underrepresented communities, and assess potential areas of bias. The interview process should emphasize the value that a candidate can add to an organization and not how a candidate would be a good cultural fit. To recruit a diverse workforce, ensure that all qualified candidates will feel welcomed to apply for a job opening and have a clear understanding of all job expectations.

Research indicates that inclusive teams and gender-diverse companies are more productive and more likely to outperform their peers. Understanding inclusive language, not only regarding race and gender but also as it applies to people with disabilities, is key to fostering an employee's sense of feeling included or excluded. To promote diverse and inclusive work environments, water professionals must use appropriate and respectful language as a way to check personal biases.