Lets be honest: pre-pandemic, working from home was a dream.
The crisis disproved the perception that working from home was counterproductive.
It’s free, every week, in your inbox.
But how do companies create an inclusive virtual work community?
A recent survey by Monsterrevealedthat roughly 50% of respondents who were working from home felt burned out.
And 52% of respondents didnt have plans to take any time off.
Is anyone getting it right?
Though it turns out companies with a balanced work culture experienced a less drastic shift during their digital transformation.
We are very used to remote working.
General changes included frequent casual coffees led by team leads, bi-weekly all-hands, and bi-weekly company events.
Out of sight, out of mind?
Online work put a damper on the casual daily interactions between colleagues.
From daily chats and remote running clubs to virtual coffee breaks and Zoom happy hours.
Companies should focus on community within the new virtual culture by taking employee experience into account.
DEI guidelines can ensure that all employees are evaluated on objective criteria.
A culture of inclusion doesnt mean tokenism, explained Stefflbauer.
It doesnt mean hire one Black or POC person and let them sink or swim.
Not sure where to start?
But using these tools without creating new communication guidelines canoverlookthe introverted employee.
Now with meetings in a virtual capacity you could put your message in the chat.
Theres more room for conversation, and people are more open to creating dialogue whether through Slack or mail.
Perhaps your company used to rely on daily all-hands meetings, where everyone gave an update.
Active inclusion benefits everyone.
Joyce champions apprenticeships and professional qualifications to continue to foster diversity and inclusion within the AV industry.
Companies that are still able to hire have the perfect opportunity to prevent homogeneity In the virtual workplace.
At Frauenloop, Stefflbauer connects minority women to the tech industry.
Inclusion really does advertise itself, adds Stefflbauer.
After all, diversity doesnt stick without inclusion.
Employees can challenge each other, set goals, and check-in to ensure their deadlines are manageable.
What does acknowledgement look like from a practical standpoint?
It fosters connections within the workplace and reduces the isolation of remote work.
If not, youre holding on to the values of white supremacy.
Cadet underlined the importance of inclusive policies in the virtual workplace to guarantee psychological safety for Black employees.
Guidelines should also be inclusive on how meetings are being conducted.
Being open, non-defensive, and even offering extra time off for mental health are incredibly important first steps.
They couldnt have foreseen the unraveling of the world in the first half of 2020.
Going digital can either help solve a companys inclusion issues, or make them worse.
So its incredibly important companies start incorporating better workplace practices that embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion now.
Story byGiselle Defares
Giselle Defares is a writer covering media, technology, and culture.
She wants to see more diversity and inclusion in tech.
