For each individual to bring their best self forward, a … I’ve focused my career on building initiatives and resources for minority groups within large companies. Remote meetings keep teams connected, but video conversations can make it even tougher for some participants to speak up. Focusing on inclusion helps build a sense of belonging. I’ve focused my career on building initiatives and resources for minority groups within large companies. Today, millennials make up the vast majority of the workforce. With much of our workforce working remotely, we’re focused on helping our employees connect and finding new ways to prioritize inclusion. Here are a few things we can do to … It’s also important to find solutions that work for both employees’ roles and their needs at home. Cookies help us deliver our services. It’s the result of every single person in the company, at every level, contributing and being invested—even while working from home. Slides are a useful tool, but not everyone may be able to see them, so we also recommend providing alternatives to purely visual information, like giving a verbal summary of a photo, chart or graph. The issues posed by working from home are worsened by the outbreak over all. Participants can also turn off their cameras to improve the connection or adjust the video quality. We want everyone to feel comfortable, empowered, and heard, because it makes them—and all of us—more successful. But don’t feel like you have to “go around the room” — equal time doesn’t always mean equal contribution. To ensure everyone’s voices are recognized, use multi-sensory cues to indicate who’s speaking and who’s listening. Plan big. Provide a phone dial … Throughout my career, I’ve always focused on building initiatives and resources for minority groups within large companies. For example, “Let me jump in here. Melonie Parker is Google’s chief diversity officer. We know that current events are impacting employees in different ways. The concept of diversity and inclusion as we see it in action has its flaws. Accessibility is a key component of inclusion. We temporarily expanded our existing Carer’s Leave policy to support employees who need to take time off to look after their children. Real-time closed captions (CC) can help participants who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, aren’t fluent in the language being used or are unable to adequately use audio. For presentations, using a large font size and high contrast (here’s how in Google Docs and Slides) helps people easily see images and read text. To ensure Google is a workplace where everyone can do their best work, we’ve spent the last several years understanding how employees from different backgrounds experience Google and building internal programs that foster an inclusive work environment. Championing Diversity and Inclusion in Remote Work. The people you use in your images should represent diverse backgrounds. We’re committed to making Google a place where people of different views, backgrounds, and experiences can do their best work and show up for one another. Real-time closed captions (CC) can help participants if they are deaf or hard-of-hearing, aren’t fluent in the language being used, or are unable to adequately use audio. These tips aren’t exhaustive by any means, but a useful start to empowering people to meaningfully join in and contribute. With much of our workforce working remotely, we’re focused on helping our employees connect and finding new ways to prioritize inclusion. Beyond formal policies, managers play a critical role in ensuring employees feel supported and included, so offering additional resources for ways to create space for their teams is helpful. In this extraordinary time, people are searching for new ways to remain connected while being physically distant, including within the workplace. Embrace uniqueness – When exploring ideas and solutions, seek out the feedback and perspectives of colleagues and clients with different experiences, backgrounds, and expectations. I’ve focused my career on building initiatives and resources for minority groups within large companies. With many people working remotely, we’re sharing lessons about fostering virtual connections and creating an inclusive at-home work environment. It’s also a good idea to leave space in the meeting for those who’ve been quiet to contribute by saving time and opening up for input. Some are balancing expanded childcare responsibilities, while others who live alone may be experiencing feelings of isolation. As we navigate the impact of COVID-19 in our own workplace, it’s vital to continue building a culture of belonging. Based on early research, we see that people in underrepresented groups are likely being impacted disproportionately more, in general. Our Black Googler Network hosts recurring virtual Yoga sessions, and our Women@Google chapters across the globe have been hosting virtual sessions for connection and career development. Melonie Parker is Google’s chief diversity officer. Sign up for the Think with Google APAC newsletter today. Managers have a unique role in caring for teams to make sure their teams have everything they need to remain healthy and productive. People are searching for new ways to connect with their communities while being physically distant. Build a multigenerational workforce. Bonus: The act of writing forces people to be more succinct and clear. We’ve explored a variety of virtual formats for connecting people across Google. Based on early research, we see that people in underrepresented groups are likely being impacted disproportionately more. Design by Markup Ua. To ensure Google is a workplace where everyone can do their best work, we've spent the last several years understanding how employees from different backgrounds experience Google and building internal programs that foster an inclusive work environment. We also recommend appointing a moderator separate from the speaker, if possible, to help participants ask questions in real-time. For example, consider asking managers to work with their teams to create flexible work schedules. Manage equitably. Our Asian Google Network has aggregated resources for their community and created office hours for members to connect online. Throughout my career, I’ve always focused on building initiatives and resources for minority groups within large companies. For example, give a verbal summary of a photo, chart, or graph. Our Asian Google network has aggregated resources for their community and created office hours for members to connect online. Real-time closed captions (CC) can help participants who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, aren’t fluent in the language being used or are unable to adequately use audio. By using our services, you agree to our use of cookies. Here are some of the lessons we’ve learned. As we navigate the impact of COVID-19 in our own workplace, it’s vital to continue building a culture of belonging. Having regular conversations with employees about how their attention might be divided and which projects should be prioritized is one way to see how employees are doing and help everyone remain connected. Front-End Dissatisfaction (and Backing Off), We can’t heartly wait for Valentine’s Day, Weekly Platform News: WebKit autofill, Using Cursor Pointer, Delaying Autoplay Videos. Foster inclusion by periodically reaching out by phone, text or email to co-workers individually. A moderator lessens the onus on the speaker to pay attention to participants’ body language or their unmuting, as well as on participants to figure out when they can chime in. Everyone is adjusting to new responsibilities. Slides are a useful tool, but not everyone may be able to see them, so we also recommend providing alternatives to purely visual information. Accessibility is a core value at Google and it’s critical to our inclusion work. How to foster inclusion while working from home. Moving beyond a checklist in the hiring process, human resources or people ops leaders are advocating for environments that are welcoming and accommodating for all, including those with disabilities. It’s also a good idea to leave space in the meeting for those who’ve been quiet to contribute by saving time and opening up for input, but don’t feel like you have to “go around the room”—equal time doesn’t always mean equal contribution. An earlier version of this article appeared on the Keyword blog. While leaders may have shifted their focus to urgent strategic needs amid the pandemic, organizations can consider using this time of historic disruption and heightened discourse about injustice to advance inclusion and diversity rather than allowing these priorities to recede. No matter how well-prepared women of color are, they won’t get a seat at the table … I’ve focused my career on building initiatives and resources for minority groups within large companies. Provide a phone dial-in option for those without strong internet access. Rather than ‘diverse and included,’ organizations often end up being ‘diverse and independent’ or worse, ‘diverse and assimilated.’ There must be a better way. Finally, when it comes to images, find ways to show diversity in race, skin tone, size, cultural background, name, hair type, ability, gender, age, geography, and beyond. To ensure everyone’s voices are recognized, use multisensory cues to indicate who is speaking and who is listening. 6 Ways to Foster Belonging in the Workplace 07 We are only scratching the surface in terms of understanding how belonging affects people at work, but we see immense promise in incorporating belonging as a part of any diversity and inclusion strategy. Thanks, Elizabeth… After a couple of months of lockdown, people will have adjusted to some aspects of the ‘new normal’, while in other ways, the pressures can have built up over time. To help, we’ve explored a variety of virtual formats for connecting people across Google and many of our Employee Resource Groups have extended their efforts to help underrepresented Googlers build community during this time. We encourage employees to avoid relying only on visual cues like hand gestures because people with visual impairments, or who are temporarily distracted or have a bad internet connection, may not be able to see them. People are searching for new ways to connect with their communities while being physically distant. While it is important that we all do what we can to foster inclusion, in reality it must come from the top. Some will be juggling work alongside childcare and home-schooling, others may feel isolated and alone. Based on your location, we recommend you check out this version of the page instead: An earlier version of this article appeared on the Keyword blog. Work smarter. Everyone is adjusting to new responsibilities. Extend in-office celebrations by sending tokens to home locations. 2021. Having regular conversations with employees about how their attention might be divided and which projects should be prioritized is one way to see how they’re doing and help everyone remain connected. Elizabeth just stated the same idea, Dave. For presentations, using a large font size and high contrast (here’s how in Google Docs and Slides) helps people easily see images and read text. We know current events are impacting our employees in different ways. Make sure you recognize and label the behavior, rectify the situation and then allow the business to proceed. Ensuring a workplace where people of different views, backgrounds, and experiences can do their best work and show up for one another is key. For example, the Employee Resource Groups for our Black, LatinX, and LGBTQ+ communities have hosted a number of virtual events such as fireside chats, yoga sessions, and forums on managing productivity. Establish a sense of belonging for everyone. People are searching for new ways to connect with their communities while being physically distant. Lean into discomfort. - Stacey Browning , … The people you use in your images should represent diverse backgrounds to further support inclusion. Some are balancing expanded childcare responsibilities, while others who live alone may be experiencing feelings of isolation. While it may not be the first time you are working from home, you may be feeling even more lonely, stressed or anxious. People are searching for new ways to connect with their communities while being physically distant. It’s clear that companies must address inclusion from the top down. Think with Google APAC. I've focused my career on building initiatives and resources for minority groups within large companies. Also, consider appointing a moderator separate from the speaker, if possible, to help participants ask questions in real time. We encourage employees to avoid relying only on visual cues like hand gestures because people with visual impairments, or who are temporarily distracted, or have bad internet connection, may not be able to see them. … We know that current events are impacting employees in different ways. Provide a phone dial-in option for those without strong internet access. How to foster inclusion while working from home People are searching for new ways to connect with their communities while being physically distant. If you’re going to share your slides, documents, and other materials, remember to add alt text, or text description of the visual, to your images, graphs, and charts so people who use screen readers know what visuals are being shown. If you belong to an identity group with power and privilege, it can be easier to … Previous Next. If you’re going to share your slides, documents and other materials, remember to add alt text, or text description of the visual, to your images, graphs, and charts so people who use screen readers know what visuals are being shown. 2008 - Once you recognize inappropriate behaviors, there is no excuse for allowing them to continue. Provide a phone dial … “Setting the stage by being thoughtful and intentional about it is important because it permeates every aspect of an organization,” is Jesse’s advice for leadership. In this extraordinary time, people are searching for new ways to remain connected while being physically distant, including within the workplace. We’re excited to kick things off by sharing these 10 Tips for Fostering an Inclusive Work Environment. Recognize bias. by Unknown at 11:25 AM. A moderator lessens the onus on the speaker to pay attention to participants’ body language or their unmuting, as well as on participants to figure out when they can chime in. I’ve focused my career on building initiatives and resources for minority groups within large companies. And beyond formal policies, managers play a critical role in ensuring employees feel supported and included. The first word, diversity, describes what exists: a set of different groups. How to lead your team in a time of chaos and complexity. Here is how to stay positive while finding ways to create a … Bonus: The act of writing forces people to be more succinct and clear. Accessibility is a core value at Google and it’s critical to our inclusion work. Here are some of the lessons we’ve learned that we hope are applicable to your company, too. This makes me wonder if we are all truly listening to each other or having difficulty hearing everyone when we are on a large video call. As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, 27 percent of companies put diversity and inclusion … Remote meetings keep us connected, but video conversations can make it tougher for some participants to speak up. Accessibility is a core value at Google and it’s critical to our inclusion work. Finally, when it comes to images, find ways to show diversity in race, skin tone, size, cultural background, name, hair type, ability, gender, age, geography, and beyond. How to foster inclusion while working from home.  These tips aren’t exhaustive by any means, but they are a useful start to empowering people to meaningfully join in and contribute. Participants can also turn off their cameras to improve the connection or adjust the video quality. We want everyone to feel comfortable, empowered, and heard, because it makes them — and all of us — more successful. How to foster inclusion while working from home Help foster virtual connections. I’ve focused my career on building initiatives and resources for minority groups within large companies. Further support inclusion for the Think with Google APAC newsletter today the speaker, if possible, to help ask! To our inclusion work need to take time off to look after their children from... Them—And all of us—more successful recognized, use multi-sensory cues to indicate who’s speaking and who’s listening has flaws... 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