5 Essential Tips to Create an Inclusive Remote Culture

Photo by Tina Witherspoon on Unsplash

Struggling with running a remote team? We’re still getting used to how the world is changing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Lots of companies have implemented policies where their employees can work from home anywhere from the next few months to forever. People are questioning whether things will ever go back to normal or if there will be a new normal.

While we try to get used to working and being educated from home as well as build new strategies to create better diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace, many are struggling to adjust and build new work habits. Fortunately, it is possible to build an inclusive workplace remotely.

Here are five essential tips on building and maintaining an inclusive remote culture.

1. Communication is key. Since we can’t walk over to our co-workers or team’s cubicles of offices, try conducting daily stand-up meetings just to touch base, whether on video or phone calls or even through Slack integrations. Make touching base frequently part of our daily routine. Obviously we don’t want to micromanage your employees but even just a message to ask how their day is going and if they need anything opens the door to great communication.
2. Demonstrate and promote accountability. It is imperative that employees are given clear guidelines and expectations and are held accountable to them. Managers must be also held accountable for their work as well as DEI metrics.
3. Build a strong team. A team that trusts each other and has good rapport performs better which is why it is so important to create and foster a strong team. The key to a good team is to enforce the culture of the company which should include DEI measures. Create a virtual room that focuses on areas outside of work where employees can take a break and chat with their coworkers. Do weekly virtual team-building activities. Take 10–15 minutes at the beginning of each team meeting and do an activity.
4. Be flexible. Remember that we are all adjusting to a new normal. Many of us are parents and have kids at home who are trying to balance parenting with work at the same time. Kids need help with assignments or may have technical difficulties as they also adjust to having to learn online. We need to give our employees the flexibility they need so that they feel included, valued and respected. If they are feeling stressed about an unsupportive employer they will be resentful and may not do their best work.
5. Be a role model. Sometimes the best way we can make changes and promote an inclusive workplace is to start behaving in an inclusive manner and making the changes ourselves. Leaders set the stage for the entire company. When leaders preach something and do the opposite it lowers morale as employees see firsthand that it is not important to the company. When leaders are excited about it and make the desired changes the team will be way more likely to make and promote them too.

As we build out our DEI initiatives there are many things we can incorporate to create strong cultures that value diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. As we adapt to a more remote world we ourselves need to embrace the changes and adapt to how we can maintain, or even create, an inclusive culture. Only time will tell how these current times will affect our future but we need to be ready to make any and all necessary changes to ensure that the progress we’ve been making with DEI only improves.

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Stephanie Barnes is an HR, talent acquisition, operations and diversity professional with 20 years of success. She is currently the COO/Chief Diversity Officer and Co-founder of VSourced and has been a diversity advocate for her entire career. She also offers diversity, equity and inclusion consulting.