The DEI landscape continuously changes. HR professionals must keep updated with the latest diversity, equity, and inclusion developments to ensure initiatives remain relevant and influential. With that said, here are 5 DEI trends to watch out for.

1. Remote and hybrid work setup

The pandemic and constant technological upgrades have made remote and hybrid work arrangements more prevalent today (and in the future). This means 100% offsite (for remote workers) or a combination of home and in-office working (hybrid).

According to Forbes Statistics Remote Work Statistics And Trends 2023, 12.7% of full-time employees work from home, while 28.2% work a hybrid model. 16% of companies operate fully remote; by 2025, an estimated 32.6 million Americans will work remotely.

Working from home can be better for people with disabilities because regular offices might not have the tools they need. At home, they can use their own equipment like screen readers, big screens, special keyboards, and dictation software to do their work well. Remote work is also good for new parents and those taking care of others. So, it saves time and money, which can be used to care for children or older family members.

Employers also benefit from remote work arrangements through increased productivity and retention. 35% of remote employees feel more productive when working fully remotely, while 57% of workers would look for a new job if their current company didn’t allow remote work.

Tips to arrange remote and hybrid work:

• Let employees pick if they want to work at the office, from home, or a mix of both. If they work from home, give them money to set up a home office. Also, for those doing a mix, let them decide which days they work from home and which days they come to the office. So, for example, 2 days at the office and 3 at home. For those at the office, offer perks like free lunches or comfy spaces to relax during a busy day.
• Look at the outcomes. Instead of counting the days or hours someone works, check how well they get things done. So, look at the quality of their work and what they deliver that helps the company. This way, you don’t assume that people working from home are not doing much, while those in the office are seen as more productive.
• Make a communication policy for the company that includes all the different ways people work to avoid confusion that can mess up work. So, in your policy, talk about how you will communicate, like having daily talks between those working from home and those in the office. Also, mention keeping records of communication and using both real-time and other communication tools. Create a plan that shows how things work. For this, include the rules and tools for meetings with a mix of remote and in-office team members. Also, be sure to include when meeting face-to-face or having one-on-one talks.
• Host fun events for all employees regularly. This helps everyone feel connected, whether they work in the office or from home. And also it makes the company culture stronger.

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