If there is anything the recent events worldwide have shown us, it is that there is a need for remote work, and it is here to stay. At least 62 percent possessing a bachelor’s degree have figured out their work is entirely possible from home. Multinational companies such as Google also have no plans to call employees back to the office until January of 2022 and might extend if the pandemic does not subside by then.
While all these are good and necessary precautions, it does pose the problem of not being able to build teamwork and inclusive culture among the employees.
Why is Inclusive Work Culture Important?
In general, is it not right to make all your employees feel valued and have good emotions for each other in the workplace? It makes the work environment bearable, and employees feel more confident about logging in to work.
Besides the ethical importance of fostering inclusiveness, businesses do prosper in a happier environment. If employees think they fit right in among the group they work with and are excited about working, it boosts their confidence, productivity, and engagement. They feel more accomplished about working and fulfilling their tasks. When they achieve something as a team, they feel even better. This work culture translates into profit for the company in the long run.
Gartner, an advice and research firm, had some claims about the benefits of organizations where diversity and inclusivity were valued:
- 5 percent more employees are likely to stay in an organization with an inclusive work environment.
- In the individual employee performance rate, a 3 percent increase is noted.
- A noticeable 6.2% more effort is given on the job.
How to Build Inclusive Work Culture Remotely
Remote work can be isolating if employers do not take some steps to rectify the environment. Here are some ways to get started-
Hold Events Employees Can Participate In Virtually
Virtual social events may seem like a challenge, but they’re doable. You can hold virtual games during coffee hours or fix a time during work hours when everyone sits down to chit-chat. You can have agendas for the day where people talk about their family, interests- anything that helps employees know each other better.
Achieve A Challenge Together
Set a goal that every employee can target remotely. It can be something like exercising for ten minutes a day or covering certain miles walking in a day- a challenge all of you would like to take and agree on. Even the discussion on the challenge for the month could serve as some valuable bonding time.
Offer Mental Health Resources
The pandemic has not been easy on anyone. A report states that mental health problems fostered by the pandemic have affected at least 40 percent of Americans. It is essential to let your employees know that you understand their struggles and are more than happy to provide them with resources. There are plenty of reliable remote resources today. If your employees get talking between themselves about their problems, it would also help alleviate a lot of the loneliness.
Final Thoughts
It could be possible that a lot of your employees would continue with remote work in the future. Therefore, it would be good to start planning for inclusivity for everyone involved, working from the office or remotely.
About the Author
BCjobs.ca is Western Canada’s largest job board, with majority of the jobs coming from Vancouver. For nearly 20 years, BC Jobs has connected job candidates with companies looking to add talent to their team. If your team is looking to recruit, BCJobs.ca is the right tool for you. Our job board has grown through virtual career fairs, branding, and partnerships. Contact us at community@bcjobs.ca today.
