Originally published October 12, 2022 , updated on January 24, 2023

Recently, the business sector has seen the rise of remote and hybrid workplace models. This transition comes with various benefits and challenges, from increased productivity to reduced overhead costs and greater flexibility. 

But one of the challenges of a remote workplace is building and maintaining a positive culture. This obstacle can be especially difficult for organisations trying to create an inclusive environment for their remote teams. 

 

Organisations can take a few steps to build a positive remote culture, such as fostering open communication, encouraging social interaction, and promoting team-building activities. These measures, amongst others, can create a more positive and inclusive culture for remote employees.

What Is an Inclusive Workplace?

Creating an inclusive workplace is about more than just meeting compliance standards – it’s about ensuring everyone feels welcome, respected, and valued. An inclusive workplace embraces diversity as part of its culture. 

A study conducted by McKinsey reports that over 39% of job seekers have either not pursued or dropped out of a company’s hiring process due to its perceived lack of inclusivity within the workspace. This statistic only further proves the dramatic transformation of society’s priority to promote diversity and inclusion. As such, businesses need to follow suit, whether they operate remotely or not. 

Inclusive workplaces have clear processes and policies to integrate and support everyone, regardless of their background or education. Additionally, inclusive workplaces typically offer training and development opportunities that help employees learn new skills and broaden their perspectives.

This shift may present obstacles to overcome, but it also ushers in an opportunity to lay the groundwork to plant, grow, and harvest more inclusive practices within the business sphere. 

 

Benefits of Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace

A workforce with people from various backgrounds can bring many benefits to an organisation. For one, it can lead to improved creativity and innovation. When workers come from diverse backgrounds, they bring different perspectives and ideas to the table. This can open up new possibilities for creative solutions and help forge more innovative approaches. In addition, an inclusive workforce can result in greater productivity and results. 

With extensive skill sets and experience to draw from, teams can take on challenges better. They will find more effective ways to get the job done. Furthermore, an inclusive environment is conducive to knowledge sharing. When employees feel welcomed and valued, they are more likely to share their ideas openly, leading to a more collaborative and productive workplace. Ultimately, organisations that foster an inclusive workforce are more likely to reap the benefits of enhanced creativity, productivity, and results.

Inclusive Workplace Practices for Your Remote Team

Without targeted intervention, noninclusive dynamics among on-site teams have the potential to be amplified in a remote context. Fortunately, there are habits companies can adopt to promote inclusion among remote workers. 

Below are simple yet effective actionables to implement that will help foster a more inclusive work environment. By taking these steps, companies can create a workspace that supports all employees, regardless of location or communication style.

 

Set Up a Committee

When it comes to diversity and inclusion in the workplace, one of the first steps organisations can take is establishing a Diversity and Inclusion Committee. This committee can help assess where the company is currently falling short and what needs to be done to improve diversity and inclusion initiatives. It also helps to understand what employees want and need to feel included in the workplace.

The benefits of having a Diversity and Inclusion Committee are plentiful. It shows employees that the organisation is committed to making changes to become more inclusive. It provides a space for open dialogue about diversity and inclusion, which can help create a more understanding and tolerant workplace. Finally, it allows employees to have their voices heard.

If your business is interested in establishing a Diversity and Inclusion Committee, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, you will need to identify individuals who are passionate about inclusivity. Second, you will need to provide resources for this committee so that they can effectively do their work. And third, you will need to create clear goals and objectives for the committee, so everyone is on the same page. By taking these steps, you can kickstart the creation of a more diverse and inclusive workplace.

Formalise a Policy

You should design your company’s Diversity and Inclusion policy to promote a welcoming and inclusive workplace for all employees. This policy may include ensuring that job descriptions are free from bias, offering Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) for underrepresented groups, and providing training on cultural competence. 

Additionally, your company should be committed to monitoring progress towards diversity goals and taking action to address any disparities that may exist. By taking these steps, you can cultivate a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected and has the opportunity to succeed.

Create a Feedback Process to Ensure Diversity and Inclusion at the Workplace

A lack of diversity and inclusion can cause several problems in the workplace. It can lead to tension and conflict among employees and make it difficult for people of different backgrounds to feel like they belong. As a result, it’s important to create a radical, open culture where employees feel comfortable discussing diversity and inclusion. 

Creating a system of honesty and communication starts with leaders being open to feedback and willing to listen to what employees have to say. It also requires creating anonymous channels where people can share their thoughts and concerns without fear of retribution. This feedback can then be used to guide your path forward. By creating a culture of radical honesty, you can help ensure that everyone in the workplace feels valued and respected.

Prioritise Inclusion Within Recruitment

Diversity and inclusion start from the get-go. In business terms, this means the hiring process. There are a few key things to keep in mind when trying to hire for diversity and inclusion. First, consider using blind screening methods such as blind resume reviews to help reduce unconscious bias. Second, make a concerted effort to reach out to underrepresented groups when recruiting. Finally, during interviews, ask questions that assess candidates’ ability to work with a diverse team and navigate different types of situations.

Demonstrate Your Commitment Through Communication

Leaders play an important role in setting the tone for their team and advocating on their behalf. To be effective advocates, leaders need to take the time to understand the challenges and goals of their team members. This means asking questions and listening to feedback. Only then will they be able to provide the support that team members need to be successful. By taking a few minutes to ask what someone wants or needs, leaders can show that they value input and collaboration and create a more supportive environment for everyone on the team.

 

Final Verdict on Diversity and Inclusion

It’s clear that remote and hybrid working is here to stay. So that’s why businesses need to emphasise the importance of inclusion in their workplace practices. 

Goodman Lantern actively strives for gender parity on a global scale, and we’re committed to creating consistent, reliable, and fair income opportunities for women. We also prefer to work with clients who are frontrunners in driving DE&I in their companies. Find out more by reading this article published on GoodFirms.com.

 

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