Policies to Support Diversity and Equity in Deskless and Frontline Teams

The push for diversity and equity is becoming increasingly important in today’s society, not just in the corporate world but in every aspect of life. With the rise of remote work and virtual teams, it is now more crucial than ever to address issues of diversity and equity within deskless and frontline teams. These individuals make up a significant portion of the workforce and play a vital role in keeping our essential services running smoothly. Yet, their voices are often overlooked or excluded from conversations about diversity and inclusion. In this blog post, we will explore the importance of supporting diversity and equity in deskless and frontline teams, as well as policies that organizations can implement to promote a more inclusive workplace for all employees.

Also read: How to Recognize Frontline Employees: An Appreciation Culture

Key Policies for Diverse and Equitable Deskless/Frontline Teams

Ensuring diversity and equity within deskless and frontline teams is paramount to fostering an inclusive work environment. Let’s explore key policies that promote fairness, respect, and opportunity for all members of the organization:

1. Recruitment and Hiring

• Targeted outreach and partnerships

By involving underrepresented communities, the enterprise may develop a more diverse talent pool. This approach entails partnering with community groups, schools, and professional organizations that can connect with individuals from varied backgrounds. Additionally, fostering a culture of diversity and inclusivity not only promotes a more equitable workplace but also enhances innovation and creativity within the organization.

• Inclusive job descriptions and interview processes

Crafting job descriptions free from biased language and centered on candidates’ skills and abilities rather than demographic attributes is crucial. Eliminating exclusionary or inadvertently discouraging language can broaden the applicant pool, attracting a more diverse array of candidates.

• Blind resumes

Adopting blind resume practices, which involve removing personal information such as names or demographic details during the initial recruitment stages, can mitigate bias. This approach empowers hiring managers to assess candidates solely based on qualifications and experiences, promoting fair and objective decision-making processes.

Also read: 7 Effective Time Management Strategies for Deskless Employees

2. Training and Development

• Unconscious bias training

Unconscious bias can significantly impact decision-making and team dynamics in the workplace. By providing unconscious bias training, managers and employees can learn to recognize and challenge preconceived notions, fostering a more inclusive and equitable work environment. Increased awareness of these biases empowers teams to strive for fairness and diversity in their interactions and decision-making processes.

• Culturally competent communication training

Culturally competent communication training equips employees with the necessary skills and competencies to navigate cultural differences in communication styles, norms, and expectations. Understanding and embracing these differences are vital for building cohesive and productive teams that leverage diverse perspectives and experiences.

• Mentorship and sponsorship programs

Implementing mentorship and sponsorship programs creates valuable opportunities for connection and knowledge exchange between experienced employees and newcomers from diverse backgrounds. These programs facilitate the transfer of expertise, skill development, and networking opportunities, particularly for individuals from underrepresented communities. By fostering supportive relationships and access to career advancement opportunities, mentorship and sponsorship programs contribute to the development and retention of diverse talent within the organization.

Also read: The Role of Technology in Improving Productivity for Frontline Employees

3. Work-life Balance and Flexibility

• Offer flexible scheduling options

Enhancing work-life balance can be achieved by implementing flexible scheduling options such as nine-day fortnights or compressed workweeks, allowing personnel to adjust their regular work hours over selected days and enjoy extended weekends. Additionally, job-sharing initiatives enable two employees to split the responsibilities of a full-time position, ensuring balanced workloads while accommodating personal commitments.

• Provide childcare support

Recognizing the importance of caregiving responsibilities in maintaining an inclusive work environment, organizations should offer comprehensive childcare and eldercare support. Many deskless and frontline employees with family obligations often face challenges balancing work and family duties, potentially impacting their productivity and engagement. By providing childcare facilities or assistance programs, organizations can alleviate the burden on employees and promote a more supportive and inclusive workplace culture.

• Make leave policies inclusive

Equitable access to parental leave, sick leave, and other types of leave is essential for fostering inclusivity and equal opportunities for all employees, regardless of their circumstances. By ensuring that leave policies are inclusive and provide equal benefits to diverse individuals, organizations demonstrate their commitment to supporting the well-being and diverse needs of their workforce.

Also read: The Role of Leadership and Management in Empowering Deskless Workers for Greater Productivity

4. Compensation and Recognition

• Conduct regular pay audits

Regular pay audits are essential to ensure fairness and equity in compensation across different demographic groups within the organization. Conducting periodic audits helps verify that employees receive equal pay for the same work, regardless of gender, race, or other characteristics. By prioritizing gender and race equality in pay, organizations demonstrate their ongoing commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

• Recognize and reward diverse contributions

Acknowledging and appreciating the diverse contributions of employees are integral to fostering a cohesive and inclusive team culture. Organizations should actively celebrate the achievements of employees from various backgrounds through initiatives such as employee spotlights, awards ceremonies, and public recognition. By highlighting diverse successes, organizations not only boost employee morale but also inspire others to contribute their unique talents and perspectives.

• Offer competitive benefits

Ensuring equitable distribution of benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans based on job position, rather than background, is crucial for promoting fairness and inclusion. Additionally, performance-based incentives such as bonuses or variable pay should be awarded based on merit and individual performance, irrespective of demographic factors. Offering competitive benefits and rewards based on merit underscores the organization’s commitment to recognizing and valuing the contributions of all employees equally.

Also read: 10 Creative Ways to Recognize Frontline Workers in Your Organization

5. Creating an Inclusive Culture

• Establish clear guidelines on respectful behavior

Creating an inclusive culture is paramount for fostering effective teamwork within diverse deskless and frontline teams. To achieve this goal, companies must establish clear rules of conduct explicitly stating zero tolerance for any form of discrimination or harassment. Over the past year, 45% of the American workforce encountered instances of discrimination or harassment in their workplaces, highlighting the urgent need for robust policies and procedures. It’s imperative to outline the repercussions attached to violating this policy, ensuring a safe and respectful work environment for all employees.

• Empower employees to speak up

Empowering employees to speak up against discrimination and harassment requires providing secure platforms for reporting complaints and offering feedback. This involves implementing transparent and easily accessible reporting methods while prioritizing the confidentiality of the reporting individual. By encouraging open communication and actively addressing concerns, organizations can cultivate a culture of accountability and trust.

• Celebrate diversity through events and initiatives

It’s concerning that 47% of frontline workers express a lack of belonging within their organization. To address this issue, cultural events such as heritage celebrations and diversity days serve as invaluable platforms for fostering understanding and appreciation of each other’s customs and backgrounds. Additionally, establishing employee resource groups centered on various aspects of diversity, including ethnicity, gender, or age, cultivates a strong sense of community and support within the organization. These initiatives not only combat feelings of isolation but also promote inclusivity and belonging among all employees.

Also read: 7 Employee Recognition Programs for Frontline Workers

Implementing the Policy and Measuring Success

The following explains the implementation of the diversity and inclusion policy for frontline teams:

• The policy should be communicated to all employees through various channels, such as team meetings, emails, and employee handouts.
• Managers are responsible for translating the policy into action. Thus, organizations should provide managers with the relevant training to equip them with the knowledge and skills to implement diversity and equity policies effectively. The training should cover creating inclusive leadership, addressing unconscious biases, and establishing a workplace where everyone is appreciated and has a chance to grow.
• Set specific KPIs for measuring, monitoring, and tracking progress on inclusion initiatives. Assessing performance regularly enables the organization to determine what is performing well and where it needs to focus its attention or reform its policies.
• Surveys act as a platform for employees to open up about their experiences, raise issues, and share their perceptions. These surveys can provide data on their overall satisfaction with the workplace environment, perceptions of the diversity and inclusion policy, and the actual performance of the policies undertaken.

Also read: From Burnout to Engagement: How Recognition and Rewards Impact Frontline Worker Well-being?

Summing Up

Fostering diversity and equity in deskless and frontline teams is not just a matter of corporate responsibility; it’s a strategic imperative for organizations looking to thrive in today’s dynamic and interconnected world. By implementing comprehensive policies that address recruitment, training, career advancement, and workplace culture, businesses can unlock the full potential of their diverse workforce. Embracing diversity and equity not only enhances employee morale and productivity but also enables companies to better serve their diverse customer base, driving innovation and sustainable growth.

Also read: Boosting Morale: Peer-to-Peer Recognition for Frontline Workers

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are some challenges in achieving diversity and equity in frontline teams?

Some challenges in achieving diversity and equity in frontline teams include unconscious bias in recruitment and promotion processes, a lack of access to training and development opportunities for underrepresented groups, and entrenched stereotypes and cultural norms within the workplace.

2. How can frontline managers support diversity and equity efforts?

Frontline managers can support diversity and equity efforts by actively promoting inclusive practices within their teams, advocating for diverse hiring and promotion decisions, providing mentorship and support to employees from underrepresented groups, and addressing any instances of bias or discrimination in the workplace.

3. What are the benefits of fostering diversity and equity in deskless roles?

Fostering diversity and equity in deskless roles leads to improved employee satisfaction, higher levels of innovation and creativity, better decision-making, enhanced customer service, and ultimately, increased profitability and competitiveness for organizations.