Hybrid working: how to promote inclusion

Do you know how your hybrid working plans are promoting diversity and inclusion?

 

Social movements have a disproportionate impact on how we promote inclusivity. In the charity sector, Show the Salary and Charity So White focus our attention on how we treat people in and outside of the workplace. They have shown that we can all do more to ensure our workplaces embrace inclusive and diversity.

 

In this article, we take a look at how to make inclusion an integral part of hybrid working arrangements, and how to promote it across your charity.

 

 

Charity managers should lead by example

 

Promoting inclusion means making time for everyone on the team. Hays acknowledges that creating an inclusive hybrid environment is largely the responsibility of managers. It’s their job to make sure that the policies around work and communication are implemented fairly.

 

To start, flexibility in the work day is key. Managers carrying out hybrid working styles need to take the time to design meetings which include those working from elsewhere and in the office. They should also create opportunities for every staff member to have their own voice regardless of where they are based.

 

For meetings, managers should offer people alternative ways to participate. Videoconferencing, phone dial-ins, and recordings are digital ways to keep staff engaged. The key is to touch base with everyone regardless of where they are. Managers should also encourage ways that staff can catch-up when meetings are missed.

 

 

Providing communication tools for everyone

 

Buzzing around hybrid working is the term asynchronous working. It’s the idea that people work at different times during the night and day. Asynchronous working poses challenges. Scheduling and communication can be difficult when team members are separated by time and distance.

 

Making sure that hybrid working is productive means using digital communication tools to bridge the gaps.

 

 

Make use of schedulers and platforms

 

Inclusive team members make sure to let others know where and when they will be available. Office management software helps to create a seamless environment for hybrid collaboration.

 

Desk booking apps come in handy. HotDesk+ and Wiggle Desk organise digital spaces from physical offices.

 

Desk scheduling, contact tracing, cleaning schedules, and digital mapping are a few of the platforms’ features. Both offer free trials to charities.

 

Hybrid working communication tools are essential to designing inclusive digital and physical spaces. Most tools also manage asynchronous working styles by keeping records and organising messages.

 

Two platforms stand out among software providers. Microsoft Teams and Slack are popular because of features that enable hybrid working.

 

Teams offers chat, videoconferencing and ‘channels’ for charities. The platform has also recently integrated telephony, making more options for charities to get in touch.

 

Slack has similar features to Teams, and recently launched its video conferencing services.

 

Both have cloud hosting, screen sharing, app integrations, and permission tools. For many charities, Teams and Slack go beyond communication and are operational platforms.