In many ways, the remote working model has been an equalizing force, breaking down barriers for people with disabilities and health challenges. However, these inclusive benefits don’t automatically arise in remote teams. Instead, they must be fostered and worked into the infrastructure.
If you’re on a mission to foster diversity in the workplace, the following tips should help you achieve your goals:
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1. Consider hiring through relevant programs
Depending on your business and industry, you may wish to hire some or all of your staff via programs that support people with disabilities, neurodiverse job seekers, or recently released prisoners (to name just a few). Such programs offer a way for you to support your community while developing a diverse and inclusive team
2. Provide personal and professional development opportunities
If you wish to attract a diverse team, it’s important to provide support and pathways for career advancement. Beyond the required on-the-job training, consider offering subsidized education programs and other avenues for professional development. You may also wish to offer paid time off for volunteering or other activities that benefit the community.
3. Provide inclusivity training
The world is changing at a rapid rate, and training is essential if you wish to ensure that you and your team keep up. Regular cyber resilience training is essential, but it’s also worth adding inclusivity training to the mix.
By updating your knowledge with annual training sessions, you can ensure you understand the latest workplace trends and the appropriate language to use. You can uncover and address any unconscious biases while equipping your team to communicate with each other effectively and respectfully. Get this foundation in place, and every other step you take to develop diversity in your workforce will flow more smoothly.
4. Don’t ignore accessibility
Just because your team doesn’t need to access a physical building, doesn’t mean you don’t have to consider their accessibility needs. Check in with your team to confirm that they have everything they need to do their jobs comfortably and effectively. You may have to purchase ergonomic office furniture, accessibility software, or devices to support certain staff members. However, investing in your team in this way is sure to pay off in the long run.
Another point worth mentioning here is that you don’t just want to support people with disabilities when considering accessibility. For example, staff members with misophonia will certainly appreciate things like noise-canceling headphones. Other employees may appreciate extra training sessions on new technology or best IT practices.
5. Encourage open communication in your team
Whether it’s discussing pronouns or settling on preferred communication styles, it’s crucial to have an atmosphere of transparency with your remote team. People need to feel comfortable sharing their preferences, and it’s important that you do everything you reasonably can to accommodate them.
6. Engage in team building
Inclusivity and connectedness go hand in hand, so don’t leave team cohesion up to chance. Many remote workers feel isolated from their teammates, but you can combat this by facilitating virtual coffee catch-ups and other team celebrations.
If any of your team members live in the same area, you may even wish to hire a serviced office for them on a weekly or monthly basis. This will allow them to catch up, collaborate, and enjoy a genuine sense of connectedness with their team.
Follow the tips above, and you’ll have a strong framework in place for supporting a diverse and inclusive remote workforce.
The post Ethical and Inclusive: 6 Tips for Developing a Diverse and Inclusive Remote Workforce appeared first on Enterprise Podcast Network – EPN.
