{"id":43982,"date":"2023-02-22T18:01:24","date_gmt":"2023-02-23T02:01:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/?p=43982"},"modified":"2023-02-22T18:03:38","modified_gmt":"2023-02-23T02:03:38","slug":"promoting-equity-in-hybrid-environments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/gov-talk\/about-gov\/education\/promoting-equity-in-hybrid-environments\/","title":{"rendered":"Promoting Equity in Hybrid Environments"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ background_image=”https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/1-1.jpeg” custom_margin=”||91px|||” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0|0px|false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” title_text=”Happy,Businesspeople,Smiling,Cheerfully,During,A,Meeting,In,A,Creative” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”223px|0px|118px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.5″ text_font=”PT Sans||||” text_text_color=”#ffffff” text_font_size=”72″ text_line_height=”1.1em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” max_width=”620px” custom_margin=”45px||24px|-69px” custom_padding=”0px|||” hover_enabled=”0″ text_font_size_tablet=”52″ text_font_size_phone=”” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

Promoting Equity in Hybrid Environments<\/strong> <\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”-88px|||||” custom_padding=”3px|0px|24.6719px|0px||” custom_padding_tablet=”50px|0|50px|0″ custom_padding_phone=”” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ column_padding_mobile=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” max_width=”1200px” custom_padding=”0||0px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”0px|||” custom_padding_phone=”” use_custom_width=”on” custom_width_px=”1200px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/lukesmithbio.jpg” title_text=”lukesmithbio” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” disabled_on=”on|on|” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”||5px|||” animation=”off” sticky=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text disabled_on=”on|on|” _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”PT Sans|on|||” text_text_color=”#02b875″ text_font_size=”20″ text_line_height=”1.2em” header_text_color=”#000000″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”center” max_width=”140px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”20px||0px|” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

LUKE SMITH<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text disabled_on=”on|on|” _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”PT Serif||on||” text_text_color=”#363636″ text_font_size=”16″ text_line_height=”1.4em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”center” max_width=”140px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”10px||60px|” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Luke Smith is a writer and researcher turned blogger. Since finishing college he has been trying his hand at being a freelance writer. He enjoys writing on a variety of topics but technology and digital marketing topics are his favorite. When he isn’t writing you can find him traveling, hiking, or gaming.<\/p>\n

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Diversity, equity, and inclusion. These three words mean so much to employers striving for a workplace rooted in support, integrity, acceptance, and appreciation. Prioritizing DEI and creating such a workplace becomes even more challenging in a hybrid work environment.<\/p>\n

There are many reasons why. And we\u2019ll discuss some below because promoting a more equitable hybrid workplace starts with understanding what\u2019s making it hard to create one in the first place.<\/p>\n

Now, on to four equity concerns specific to hybrid work environments and how to best address them.<\/p>\n

Technology Access and Literacy Isn\u2019t the Same Across the Board<\/h4>\n

Technology fuels hybrid work environments. But as much as it can be the most significant element, it can also be why equity is lacking in this work model.<\/p>\n

For example, most businesses hiring for a hybrid position are looking for someone with high technical ability, and who is already familiar with the equipment to make remote work successful.<\/p>\n

But by doing this, they discount individuals with the talent and ability but simply who need additional support, whether that\u2019s training to improve their tech literacy or access to tools like a reliable internet service.<\/p>\n

To make hybrid work more equitable, you must understand each employee\u2019s technology literacy and access to give them what they need to improve. So, let\u2019s say an employee\u2019s tech literacy is beginner-level at best. In this case, implement training that helps them master the basics, like accessing and using your specific software, requesting e-signatures on PDFs<\/a> and other important documents, and securely storing and accessing items online.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a Difference in How DEI is Promoted in Hybrid Environments<\/h4>\n

For businesses that do take DEI seriously, there\u2019s no shortage of displaying their commitment to it. From hiring a diverse workforce to strategic training programs to conversations about improving DEI, there\u2019s so much done to support a truly fair and just workplace.<\/p>\n

But much of these efforts are facilitated in the office. Many businesses neglect to promote DEI in hybrid environments as they do in the office. There\u2019s so much to getting a hybrid work model off the ground that DEI can end up taking a backseat.<\/p>\n

And when it\u2019s finally moved to the front, you\u2019re playing catch up, trying to get your in-office DEI commitments to reflect in your hybrid environment. As a result, your efforts come off as inauthentic and an afterthought.<\/p>\n

Promoting equity in hybrid environments means introducing your DEI policies and commitments from the beginning when an employee agrees to this work model.<\/p>\n

It also means treating your in-office environment the same as your remote one. No matter where someone works, your DEI guidelines and pledges remain the same. So anything introduced in the office should be introduced to your remote team. Any DEI-related incidents should be discussed with everyone. You get the picture.<\/p>\n

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To make hybrid work more equitable, you must understand each employee\u2019s technology literacy and access to give them what they need to improve.<\/p>\n

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LUKE SMITH<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px||0px|” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”4″ column_padding_mobile=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” max_width=”1200px” custom_padding=”20px||0px|” custom_padding_tablet=”0px|||” custom_padding_phone=”” use_custom_width=”on” custom_width_px=”1200px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.5″ text_font=”PT Serif||||” text_text_color=”#363636″ text_font_size=”20″ text_line_height=”1.4em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”9px||0px|||” custom_margin_tablet=”-142px||0px|||” custom_margin_phone=”-75px||0px|||” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding=”0px|||||” hover_enabled=”0″ text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

Training and Development Opportunities Lack<\/h4>\n

Unfortunately, in many businesses, there\u2019s a noticeable difference between the training and development opportunities for employees that work solely in-office and those that work hybrid schedules.<\/p>\n

This could be because the budget for training and development is far too thin to spread across both environments. It could be because a lot of training and development happens spontaneously, and that\u2019s much more likely to occur in the office. Or it could be because there are so many different learning styles to accommodate that it\u2019s hard to support everyone equally.<\/p>\n

Even with the above reasons, training and development can\u2019t be lacking in a hybrid workplace if the goal is equity. All your employees deserve opportunities to advance regardless of where they’re working.<\/p>\n

You may not be able to present the same training opportunities as you do for in-office workers, but you can offer just as many.<\/p>\n

For example, promote training programs employees can complete entirely online. Share mentorship opportunities and make this experience hybrid as well, with a combination of in-person meetings and online education. And always notify hybrid employees of open positions.<\/p>\n

Hybrid Environments Can Inspire An Imbalanced Office Environment<\/h4>\n

Hybrid environments can make the workplace a bit unbalanced. Think about it. There are certain types of people more likely to gravitate toward hybrid work than others, like:<\/p>\n