The implementation of remote work strategies has resulted in a wide range of benefits for organizations and for the community as a whole.
The changes that have accompanied the implementation of remote working, have introduced a new set of challenges, such as establishing and sustaining a business culture and building relationships. Amongst other thing, remote working has also impacted the dynamics of diversity and inclusion in workplace.
- The potential of exclusion and isolation of diverse, underrepresented employee groups has increased.
- According to a survey study by the Institute for Corporate Productivity, nearly 27% of businesses have placed some or all of their diversity and inclusion efforts on hold as a result of the global pandemic.
While certain elements of remote working may negatively impact diversity and inclusion in a workspace, they can also help enhance the same.
- With remote working organizations can not only recruit people from different parts of the world, but also diversify their workforce by recruiting people from different backgrounds.
- This position flexibility also allows employees who are unable to commute to join the workforce, whether that may be because of family responsibilities or area of living thereby giving skilled practitioners access to jobs that they would otherwise be unable to obtain.
Inclusion and diversity in the workplace have many advantages for an organization, including the promotion of creativity and improved productivity. To ensure diversity and inclusion in a workspace, sustained efforts from the employer’s end are required. The organizations can establish mentorship programs for growing diversity in the workplace while implementing diversity and sensitivity training. Period changes in HR and recruiting initiatives must also be actively pursued by organizations.