REMOTE CONCEPTS BRINGING JOY TO THE WORLD AND DIVERSITY?

By: Stephanie Diana Eubank

Happy Winter Solstices and Seasons’ Greetings!  While I work towards finishing my Doctorate in Business Administration the topic of diversity in the workplace is a popular topic when discussing leadership and organizational design.  Here in my blog, I constantly sing the praises of a remote work lifestyle and how remote work helps me and my research.  However, there are other ways considering COVID and the new variants that remote is bettering both the workplace and the world.  To narrow this paper into a blog post rather than a novel the focus on how remote work is helping business and the world will focus on how remote work is helping increase diversity. 

Yes, diversity in the workplace can become a sore topic.  However, remote work helps bring more people to the table that would otherwise not would not have an ability to even show up to the table. There is a wonderful Forbes article, https://www.forbes.com/sites/sap/2021/05/12/how-hybrid-remote-work-improves-diversity-and-inclusion/?sh=55c7be44321f which lists the groups who are increasing the diversity in remote workplaces.  The article specifically cites:

• Women,
• Caregivers (who statistically are women),
• Those with physical or mental health disabilities (otherwise referred to as the differently abled community),
• Those who are economically challenged and those who have suffered housing location issues. 

To quote one of my previous articles, “There are several studies in business administration and other business science aspects on how diversity adds to team/ organizational creativity and advanced problem solving also preventing group think.  However, the Forbes article, https://www.forbes.com/sites/tendayiviki/2016/12/06/why-diverse-teams-are-more-creative/?sh=55bfe61d7262 sums it up well for easy reading”.

Women like me pre and post COVID have benefited from working remotely to balance our family’s and our careers.  However, per the PEWs research from 2020, https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/10/01/women-more-than-men-adjust-their-careers-for-family-life/ most Americans do not approve of a woman working full time while raising a family.  Although often women need to work as they are the only breadwinner while caregiving. 

The fact remote is offering opportunities for those who have it implemented in the workplace and it is increasing diversity is wonderful. However, I am also seeing how remote is changing things outside of the workplace for the better.  Specifically the example I would like to write about is the Firehouse Run here in Santa Clara, https://www.thefirehouserun.com/.  The proceeds of the race go to Santa Clara Unified School District.  Because of COVID the race is virtual this year.  Which allows for anyone to join and participate between 12/5/21 and 12/12/21.  For those like me riddled with long term injuries from running Cross Country and Track throughout my life running is physically hard for me to do anymore so it becomes a walk.  Also, my boys are too big now to push in the running stroller like we used to in this race. So, this year I can do the race from home, in my elliptical which tracks distance.  There are others who also would not traditionally be able to participate who will be able to participate and help raise more money for the school district.  This method also allows out of state or even out of country participation to help build wellness while helping the schools.

As a plug to help the school district if you would like to donate please go to https://raceroster.com/events/2021/50971/2021-the-firehouse-run/fundraising-organization/32654#event-description and donate.