In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many companies adopted remote work as a way to keep their employees safe and productive. However, as the situation improves and vaccines become more available, some companies are pushing for a return to the office and even penalizing or firing those who prefer to work from home.

For example, Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon recently called remote work an “aberration” and said he expects all employees to return to the office by June. Similarly, Apple announced that it will require most employees to work in the office at least three days a week starting in September and warned that those who don’t comply may face “additional conversations” with their managers.

These anti-remote work stances have sparked a backlash from many employees and experts, who argue that remote work has many benefits, such as increased productivity, flexibility, work-life balance, and employee satisfaction. Moreover, they claim that forcing employees to work in the office can hurt diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) efforts and undermine the progress made during the pandemic.

Anti-Remote Work

The benefits of remote work for DEIB

According to a recent survey by Future Forum, a research consortium backed by Slack, 93% of knowledge workers want a flexible work arrangement, and 72% want a hybrid model that allows them to work both remotely and in the office. The survey also found that remote work has a positive effect on employee belonging, especially for underrepresented groups, such as women, people of color, LGBTQ+ people, and people with disabilities.

Some of the reasons why remote work can enhance DEIB are:

Remote work can reduce bias and discrimination in the workplace by minimizing the effects of physical appearance, accent, dress code, and other factors that can trigger stereotypes and prejudices. Remote work can also create a more level playing field for employees by allowing them to showcase their skills and performance rather than their proximity or visibility to managers and colleagues.
Remote work can increase access and opportunity for employees by removing the barriers of location, transportation, and relocation costs. Remote work can also enable employees to choose the environment that suits their needs and preferences, such as a quiet space, a comfortable chair, or a supportive community. Remote work can also allow employees to adjust their schedules according to their personal and family obligations, such as childcare, eldercare, or health issues.
Remote work can foster diversity and inclusion in the workplace by enabling employees to connect with and collaborate with people from different backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives. Remote work can also encourage employees to share and celebrate their identities, values, and experiences, and to learn from and grow from each other. Remote work can also create a more inclusive culture in the workplace by promoting trust, empathy, and respect among employees.

The challenges of anti-remote work policies for DEIB

Despite the benefits of remote work for DEIB, some companies are reluctant or resistant to embrace it and instead opt for a one-size-fits-all approach that favors in-office work. However, this can have several drawbacks and risks for DEIB, such as:

Anti-remote work policies can alienate and demotivate employees by ignoring their preferences, needs, and expectations. Anti-remote work policies can also erode trust and loyalty among employees by sending the message that they are not valued or respected. Anti-remote work policies can also increase turnover and attrition among employees by pushing them to look for other opportunities that offer more flexibility and autonomy.
Anti-remote work policies can hinder diversity and inclusion in the workplace by limiting the pool of talent and potential candidates. Anti-remote work policies can also reinforce bias and discrimination in the workplace by creating a two-tier system that favors those who work in the office over those who work remotely. Anti-remote work policies can also exacerbate inequality and disparity among employees by creating a digital divide that affects access to resources, information, and opportunities.
Anti-remote work policies can damage the reputation and brand of companies by attracting negative publicity and criticism from the public, the media, and the industry. Anti-remote work policies can also reduce the competitive advantage and innovation of companies by falling behind the trends and demands of the market, the customers, and society. Anti-remote work policies can also miss opportunities and growth for companies by failing to leverage the potential and diversity of their workforce.

The way forward for remote work and DEIB

Given the challenges and risks of anti-remote work policies for DEIB, it is imperative for companies to rethink and reconsider their stance on remote work and to adopt and adapt to a more flexible and hybrid model that accommodates the needs and preferences of their employees. Some of the steps that companies can take to achieve this are:

Listen and communicate with employees by conducting surveys, polls, interviews, and feedback sessions to understand their views and expectations on remote work and to address their concerns and questions.
Review and revise the policies and practices on remote work by setting clear and consistent guidelines, expectations, and metrics and by providing adequate support, training, and resources for remote workers and managers.
Monitor and measure the outcomes and impacts of remote work by collecting and analyzing data, such as productivity, performance, engagement, satisfaction, retention, and diversity, and by making adjustments and improvements as needed.
Recognize and reward the achievements and contributions of remote workers by providing regular and constructive feedback, recognition, and appreciation, and by offering fair and equitable compensation, benefits, and opportunities.
Celebrate and promote the benefits and best practices of remote work by sharing success stories, testimonials, and tips, and by showcasing the diversity and inclusion of the remote workforce.

By following these steps, companies can embrace and enhance remote work as a strategic and sustainable solution for DEIB and as a competitive and innovative advantage for their business.