Diversity

The emphasis on being physically present restricts diversity. It is limiting, as the right person could be halfway across the globe or right across the street. The remote option attracts the best skills irrespective of race, gender, or age. It is increasingly acknowledged that diversity drives creativity, innovation, and fresh perspectives that fuel real growth. Diversity opens up new worlds and endless possibilities. In fact, it can be the catalyst that offers a fresh burst of energy to traditional, saturated organizations and recharge growth.

Equity

For many, wfa is liberating. It offers a level playing field, allowing all similarly skilled a fair chance at employment. Concurrently, individuals can continue to live their lives as parents, caregivers, or whatever else they want to be, even while following other passions like travel, community service, or pursuing other interests or hobbies. It allows people the bandwidth to explore all their interests while continuing to work and earn.

A 2023 Cisco study revealed that 82.2% of employees expressed greater satisfaction when they could work from anywhere. In fact, wfh/wfa/remote work makes people feel included, valued, and recognized, which propels them to do more than expected, boosting their productivity.

Inclusion

Businesses that allow remote working are at the forefront of inclusion. They attract talent from across borders. Differences such as race, geography, age, and gender melt away as people connect to focus on work and work alone. It becomes a most inclusive workspace that supports diversity and brings out the best in people.

An important aspect is that with the rising awareness of neurodiversity among people, remote work provides a safe and inclusive place for them to express themselves.

Remote work offers a high level of flexibility, which boosts productivity. Highly talented and competent individuals are often sidelined when they cannot adhere to the 9-5 schedule. A work-from-home/anywhere or remote option is inclusive, offering a safe space for people to work at their pace and convenience.

The business aspect

Incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusion goals into work makes sense to businesses as well. It reduces real estate costs, improves employee retention and satisfaction rates, is more sustainable, and focuses more on results.

For business owners, remote work is empowering because work becomes the yardstick of performance. They can attract the best talents from across the globe. Contrary to traditional thinking, which believes work needs constant monitoring or management, remote workers are driven by end results. The sense of a fulfilling role drives a greater sense of belonging, responsibility, and dedication, which works well for business goals.

For those who continue to express concerns over how this affects communication, collaboration, and knowledge sharing, technology now has answers to almost all of these!

Not being open to change and taking advantage of a changing workplace dynamic can be an expensive mistake. Remote-first businesses have now discovered that this approach is a highly effective way of decreasing their costs, improving their profitability, positively impacting their competitiveness, and elevating their brand value.

The beauty of remote work lies in its flexibility and ability to integrate into daily life. It is the future of work and the way forward to a more balanced and fulfilling professional and personal life. The benefits of remote work are many, for both, your business and employees, for its potential to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Leaving you with a quote that resonates with me - as Amy Freshman of ADP says. "It is about workplace flexibility. It's about giving our associates the opportunity to be who they are as an individual, whether that is a community member, a spouse or parent, or anything in between. That flexibility has come to be very important for our associate base."