Brix | Brix Blog

PUBLISHED ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2023 | HR ADVICE

The current work landscape has undergone a massive transformative shift with a rise in remote working environments. It had been a growing trend in recent years but really took off during the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing people to work from home. As a result, it has become a widespread adaptation in various industry sectors.

Organizations are embracing remote and hybrid work arrangements to pave the way for more opportunities. Simultaneously, it helped promote equality and diversity in a new way. Remote work allowed job seekers from various backgrounds, genders, ethnicities, and cultures to join a company regardless of location.

Importance of Remote Work in Promoting Diversity

‍A virtual workplace forced various organizations to place emphasis on skills, experience, and results rather than their physical appearance. In a way, it succeeded in leveling the field for prospective employees.

Moreover, research studies from the McKinsey Global Institute have shown that ethnically diverse organizations had a 35% increase in performance. It also presented that gender-diverse organizations had a higher chance by 15% to gain above-average profitability. Hence, remote work has a good track record of increased productivity and efficiency.

Similarly, the Boston Consulting Group's research revealed that management teams from diverse backgrounds helped generate more revenue. Accordingly, they proved that job seekers were likely to apply to companies with diverse workplaces. Additionally, it allowed employees to curb the socioeconomic and geographical difficulties in getting a job. As a result, remote employees could maintain a healthy work-life balance at reduced costs.
Here are a few essential reasons why remote work promotes equality and diversity:

Breaking Down Barriers

‍Many talented individuals cannot uproot their lives to move to another city or country. It is common in developing countries and a few cultural societies where they cannot instantly relocate for various reasons.
As a result, remote work allowed an excellent opportunity for employers and employees to work from any location. Moreover, an employer can reach a bigger global talent pool to hire exceptional candidates with talent and experience. It also allows them to hire from other countries to increase diversity.

Supporting Special Needs

‍Millions of capable, talented individuals suffer from some form of physical or mental disabilities. However, they do not impact their ability to provide exceptional work. Commuting to work may be a regular activity for able individuals, but it is a considerable task for disabled people.
Hence, remote work opportunities allow them to work in a comfortable environment that caters to their needs. It will also invite people with the necessary qualifications to apply to your organization, which they may ignore in traditional settings.

Removing Visual Bias

‍Most people know how workers behave toward each other in a physical working environment. They can consciously or subconsciously form unnecessary bias toward a person's physical appearance based on skin color, fashion, hairstyle, or tattoos. It can affect an individual's productivity and reduce the overall efforts of an organization.
However, remote work eliminates the need for visual bias. It encourages people to do their best without caring for prying eyes. Hence, it is an attractive opportunity for people of particular race, gender, ethnicity, and sexual orientation.

Conclusion

To summarize, remote work offers excellent opportunities to hire candidates from a more extensive and diverse talent pool. It also helps increase productivity and efficiency among various organizational departments.
Additionally, you can introduce remote work settings with little to no investment and harbor a healthy work environment.