Are virtual teams good for diversity and inclusion?

Remote Work Makes for More Inclusive Environments

The fact that remote work has become a far more common practice is a good reason to look at how remote work impacts inclusiveness and diversity in the workplace.

Challenges for Inclusion and Remote Work. 

There are challenges for inclusion when remotely working. Many employers have focused on this problem since work from home flexibility became an acceptable working pattern and some have been more successful than others. A few of the common challenges in workplaces are as follows:

• Isolation
  Other than the dog barking at the mail van, some employees don’t have much interaction with others during their working day. Employers try to provide the technologies necessary to communicate business related messages but that doesn't replace the kinds of social interactions that workers were accustomed to prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. 
• Difficulty Speaking Up in Meetings
  Not everyone working in an office is an extrovert ready to share their ideas. No amount of prodding will make it any easier for those who are not inclined to speak up to do so. This can lead to a feeling of exclusion as they find it challenging to share their ideas. 
• Communication Becomes Choppy
  Communication distribution can become a major challenge as businesses move to remote work. This is particularly true for businesses which have people working on different shifts. The challenge for these businesses is to ensure messages are communicated evenly and smoothly to all. 

Business Culture Must Be Flexible

A business’ culture is created over many years as individuals within that business strive towards a common goal. Some businesses get branded as hard driven and very forceful while others are more laidback and friendly. Much of this cultural development can be attributed to the kinds of products or services the business offers, as their target audience. There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to a business’ culture and the same culture that works effectively in the office may not thrive when that work pattern becomes remote.

Burnout Amongst Remote Workers 

Working remotely and without daily physical interaction can be challenging and lead to a feeling of ‘burnout’. Workers are expressing their concerns about feeling a lack of motivation for their work and about physical and mental exhaustion.

Growing Leadership Values and Making Everyone Heard 

It is challenging working and managing remotely. It probably seemed like all upsides in the beginning, but there are clearly a lot more dynamics at play.

Managers have frequently turned over entire virtual meetings to their employees to allow them to voice ideas, concerns, and anything else on their mind. This serves two purposes. The first is that employees can blow off some steam related to the stresses they may feel because of COVID-19 and their work/life balance. The second is that these meetings can be a means to identifying the leaders of tomorrow and who can have their leadership skills developed. Managers should keep a keen eye and ear open for those who might show real leadership growth potential at this time. 

New projects and assignments might be awarded to those who seem most up to the challenge. It is also apparent to assess who is thriving and who is struggling. Those who are struggling may just need some focused attention and training to get them ‘back on track.’