7 signs that a company is committed to diversity, equality and inclusion with remote work
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Remote companies use DE&I keywords on their websites and job advertisements, but that doesn't mean they're reputable. It's easier to recognize an inclusive company with these 7 clues:
What does it mean for an external company to be committed to diversity, inclusion and equality?
An inclusive company welcomes and values team members of diverse nationalities, genders, races, ages, religions, sexual orientations and abilities.
Unfortunately, it is far too easy for companies to jump on the DE&I bandwagon ( Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion ) to jump up and say that these practices are important without ever following them.
So how can you tell if a company truly values diversity, inclusion and equality?
You take out your notebook and snoop around a bit.
7 Signs You’ve Found an Inclusive Company
Look for these seven telltale signs that an external company is also an inclusive company:
#1. Job descriptions include an explicit commitment to DE&I
Those: miro.medium.com
Chances are good that your first impression of an external company will come from browsing a job advertisement. So it's the best place to start your research.
After the initial general review, you should read the text carefully again to check the language used.
Most companies that Remote work offer, add a sentence or paragraph explaining their commitment to a DE&I workforce/work environment.
But they should use unbiased language in their job descriptions to support this.
As we discussed in our recent guide to creating a more inclusive hiring practice, male-biased language is often used in job descriptions. Words like “challenge,” “leadership,” and “competitive” can discourage women from applying even though they are qualified.
Even if they use DE&I buzzwords, make sure their language supports their claims.
In addition to the position you're interested in, look at the wording in the company's other job postings to see if they also pass this test.
The description for your position may be fine. But if the language used in higher positions seems to be aimed at men or other specific groups, you may have a problem.
#2. The company website and social media channels showcase D&I
Social Media - Those: adnord.de
If the job posting seems legitimate, research the company yourself. Start with the company website and then move on to social media.
Your task: They should find out whether they actually put their statements about diversity, equality and integration into practice.
Start with the About Us page. What values are highlighted there? How do they talk about their company culture?
Next, look at the current team to see what they consider diverse and inclusive. Are different races, ages and abilities well represented?
If short team bios are not available online, you may not be able to tell whether different religions, genders, or educational levels are represented in the company.
But you should notice if each seems like a half-clone of the other.
Finally, you should take a look at the company's social media channels. What is shared, liked and used to represent the company's values on a daily basis?
These online portals help you assess the atmosphere in an external company, just as you would during an interview in a company.
#3. The company already has a diverse team - including senior management
As you browse this company's website and social media channels, pay special attention to the team and especially the management.
Are all senior leaders young white men? Or are women, people of different ages and BIPOCs represented throughout the company hierarchy?
This provides great insight into whether a company is actually as diverse and inclusive as it claims.
If you don't see diversity at all levels of the company, the keywords used in job ads may be just for show.
#4. They are actively committed to the diversity of the community
Does the company make volunteering and community service a priority? Do they specifically help underserved communities?
Even if team members don't work together remotely, they can support common causes in their neighborhood.
The company encourages employees to donate their time and resources to problems they are trying to solve.
So do you also believe in these causes?
If you don't see the company's commitment to the community, that's not a problem.
You'll find that this company simply needs new ideas about who else they can help. And that's a conversation you can certainly have once you're hired.
Speaking of which, you may not notice the last three signs that you've found an inclusive company until the interview stage.
#5. You see diversity in the interview process (and feel included)
An interview at an external company can take place in different ways. You can start with a phone interview with an HR representative or have a video call with the entire team.
Interview process - Source: totaljobs.com Each step offers another chance to look for signs of DE&I.
If you're interviewing at a small company or startup, you may only have one person to talk to. In this case, you shouldn’t be afraid to ask questions about DE&I company policy (more on that in a moment!).
However, in larger companies, you may have a conversation with three layers of team members, each one level higher. This gives you a comprehensive picture of who actually works there and is involved in hiring decisions.
Regardless of who offers you an interview, you have the right to ask about the company's DE&I policy.
#6. Actionable DE&I company policies
Does this company have corporate policies that support DE&I initiatives?
The company will use this unique set of principles and guidelines to set its short- and long-term goals for greater diversity, equality and inclusivity.
Some examples of DE&I company policies include ongoing awareness and training, inclusive hiring practices, and strict disciplinary action (including termination) for any employee who violates this agenda.
Your interviewer should have this policy or at least be able to explain it.
If this isn't the case or the company seems to be skirting the issue, you should trust your instincts and move on. This company may be all talk and no action.
The same applies here: Don’t be afraid to ask these questions in the interview.
#7. You can ask questions about DE&I (and get solid answers)
The interview is an important source of information for both you and the company. A crucial mistake that the applicant makes for one Remote work place A common mistake is that they don't interview the company to see if they're a good fit for her .
So when the interviewer asks you if you have any questions, take this opportunity to address DE&I.
Ask specific questions about their policies and initiatives. Then ask for real-world examples.
Consider using these questions in your interview:
- Can you tell us more about your company policies on diversity, equity and inclusion?
- Can you give examples of how your company puts these into practice?
- How does your company plan to expand DE&I initiatives in the future?
- Does your company offer DE&I training? If yes, how often? Is it company-wide?
- Was ist mit DE&I Community Outreach?
Now comes the really crucial part: weighing up their reactions.
Notice if the questions are avoided, the answers are vague, or seem like canned answers. All of these are warning signs that you should leave the digital world.
The company should prioritize its DE&I efforts enough that every employee (and interlocutor) can vouch for the initiatives and hope to include you in its movement for change.
So if you've found a company that meets all seven of these criteria, then congratulations! You hit the jackpot for a company. Go ahead and apply with confidence!
However, if a company you would really like to work for isn't on the shortlist, you'll need to consider your options carefully. While you can suggest DE&I initiatives when you're hired, there's no guarantee that the company will actually accept your suggestion.
Then in a few months you might be back at the beginning of your search for a remote job.
Are you looking for remote work? Find a company committed to DE&I today
Now you know how to identify companies that are truly committed to what they claim to be a diverse, inclusive, and equal work environment.
Potential employers hoping to check off as many of these points as possible are updating their website, social media channels, and job postings to reflect their efforts. With a little intuition you will know whether it is the right one Long distance company for her .
If you don't see this in practice or hear dubious answers during the interview, you should cut your losses and move on. You don't have to settle for a company that doesn't keep up with the times.
