Reflections on Inclusion during Pandemic Times
These unprecedented times during the coronavirus pandemic have led to changes for all of us, both at work and at home. As new experiences emerge, both individual and collective, the pursuit of inclusion is more important than ever.
A key aspect of Inclusion is a feeling of belonging, of being part of a community and of feeling genuinely connected to a larger group or purpose. This is especially important for work since we spend so much time with coworkers.
Currently, the ways of connecting are unfamiliar in how we try to experience belonging, with many employees working remotely. Some people are trying to balance work tasks with family care. And yet others are dealing with forced choice of physical isolation during quarantine. Empathy for both self and others is critical right now and has a larger impact in our wellbeing and relationships. It is important to acknowledge and validate that although we are all going through this pandemic at the same time, our individual experiences are unique and different.
One simple, important step we suggest is to take time to check in. Now, more than ever, it is important to lean into the personal side of life, even at work. It is especially critical to practice active listening, and spend time appreciating and hearing what is shared.
What can we do for each other?
Asking what co-workers are working on that they are excited about.
Recognize that your coworkers may be dealing with many invisible factors, such as mental health issues or worry for loved ones far away, regardless of caregiving obligations.
Asking team members “who needs more help than we might not be hearing from”?
If you are a leader, what can you do?
Asking how people are doing, if they have what they need - technology wise and at home in general.
Lead by example - Share your well-being goals and priorities with your employees
Acknowledge the need of some staff as caregivers while simultaneously fulfilling their work responsibilities, and the stress involved in doing so.
Make sure people know that when something has to give, safety and the needs of loved ones come first.
Small things add up to big impacts. Taking a moment to connect and learn from each other will increase our capacity for empathy - a foundation of inclusion.
What ideas can you share about supporting an inclusive culture at work during the coronavirus pandemic? Leave a comment below.
About the Authors:
Sarah A Scala
Sarah is a senior talent management leader and executive coach with 20+ years of experience providing organization development, change management, and leadership development solutions for diverse global and local industries. She is a collaborative consultant, coach, and educator supporting performance transformation of executives, leaders, and teams. Sarah is a methodical, results-driven leader recognized for helping clients reach their highest potential, increase revenue, reduce turnover, elevate business profitability, build competencies, and improve performance.
Guillermo Gutierrez
Guillermo has more than 20 years of professional experience in Human Resources, organizational development, talent management and diversity and inclusion. In his current role as Director of Inclusion & Diversity at Medline he leads the planning and implementation of inclusion and diversity strategies.
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