When training newly hired employees, it may be uncomfortable to address patron discrimination. However, this is a very important topic to cover because patrons may avoid your business if they have a valid fear of discrimination from any of your employees. Here are four tips to make sure your new hires make all patrons feel welcome.

Professional Language

An important ground rule to lay out to all new hires is the use of professional language. This automatically gets rid of any slurs or obviously discriminatory language that they may consider acceptable outside of the work environment. Ensure they aware of the fact that they’re required to speak and act appropriately with all patrons who enter the business. Standard greetings can help make everyone feel welcome at your store.  Regardless of their own personal beliefs, they are required to serve all patrons.

Anti-Discrimination Policy

Having an anti-discrimination policy displayed in an employee common area can help to remind existing employees and prove to new ones that your business takes discrimination seriously. This protects and makes your employees from varying backgrounds feel safe, which will project onto your patrons as well if they see a unified and diverse team. Ensure that your anti-discrimination policy also has set consequences as this is the only way to avoid issues with the policy. It shows that the actions not only have consequences, but ones that are the same for everyone so counter-discrimination can’t be claimed.

Provide Sensitivity Training

This is one that makes some people uncomfortable, but it’s useful in the long run. It ensures employees are up to date on any issues on a company or national level and gives them tips that will help if they are ever in a situation that they are unsure of how to handle. Unconscious bias may show itself in the way employees treat different customers. These training sessions are great for seasoned employees and new hires alike.

Zero Tolerance

When training a new employee, articulate that there is zero tolerance for discrimination within the workplace. By completing the previous steps, you are ensuring that the new hires are well-informed on how to approach sensitive subjects. There is an inability to claim that they were unaware and the zero-tolerance policy makes them understand that the business is serious about being an inclusive space. It’s better to let go of an employee who doesn’t follow training and discriminates customers than to hear from the customer’s civil litigation attorney. which they may contact after being illegally discriminated against in your store.

Discrimination is a sensitive subject so avoiding it before a problem arises is the best way to protect your patrons and your business alike. Keep everyone happy by allowing all patrons to feel safe with all employees including your new hires.

Kara Masterson is a freelance writer from Utah. She enjoys Tennis and spending time with her family.