Here's How to Foster Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in a Remote-Work World

Remote work has taken the business world by storm. Now, more jobs are remote than ever before. But what impact does remote work have on your company’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) goals? There are some pros and cons I’ve seen that may inform your perspective on remote work and its impact on DEI.

As a 100 percent remote business owner, my consultancy has thrived. But it hasn’t been without challenges. So, we’ll explore why remote work can be a good (and bad) thing for DEI and strategies I use to keep DEI a focus in my remote business. 

How remote work can promote DEI 

Remote work allows your business to hire a more diverse workforce

Remote work can allow you to hire people from all walks of life. There are talented people all over the country and world who, for a myriad of reasons, can’t leave their current geographic location to work for your company in-person. 

With remote work, you can still access a large pool of applicants in any location. Remote work is especially helpful if you’re in a market where there’s not a large pool of people of color, but you value having more racial diversity in your workplace. If you're thinking of hiring remotely to increase the diversity of your workforce, there’s evidence that that’s a good idea. One study showed some companies can have up to a 35 percent increase in financial performance with a more ethnically diverse workforce. So, regardless of location, a remote-work situation can allow you to hire a diverse workforce that contributes positively to your business’s bottom line and culture. 

Remote work can help marginalized groups feel a greater sense of safety 

For some people, going to work in certain environments can make it clear that they stick out like a sore thumb. It can be uncomfortable to be a highly visible minority in the workplace. Many people of color and LGBTQ folks often have to code switch, or adjust their language, demeanor and appearance, in order to survive in the workplace. According to one study, 48 percent of college-educated Black adults under the age of 50 felt the need to code switch in order to fit in with their fellow colleagues. Working remotely can help some groups feel more comfortable, safe and authentic at work without the social dynamics and microaggressions that may come from a traditional work environment. 

How remote work can hinder DEI 

Many marginalized professionals feel invisible in the workplace if they’re remote 

On the contrary, some groups prefer to be in the workplace, so they can experience more social connection. Remote work can make some employees feel invisible and isolated. One study found that 19 percent of survey applicants felt lonely while working remotely.  Many people enjoy connecting in the employee lounge or stopping by each other’s desk in between tasks. This can have a positive impact on inclusion and support a happier social environment. 

If your company has a remote-work environment, you may have to work harder to promote high levels of connectivity and meaningful check-ins to ensure employees still feel connected.

Working remote in a clean, quiet and private environment with strong wifi is a privilege that many don’t have access to 

As we’ve seen over the past year, not everyone can work from home in a clean and quiet environment with high-speed internet. For many people of color, working from home is a struggle or downright impossible. One study found only one in five Black workers and about one in six Hispanic workers can work from home in their current profession. 

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