Diversity & Inclusion within Starfish’s Remote Working Culture

As the world becomes more interconnected, it is crucial for businesses to embrace diversity in their workforce by tapping into the talents of individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures. It provides businesses with a wider or unique viewpoint on work-related issues and has several other benefits that we will mention further down the article. Before seeking to suddenly diversify a team, we need to comprehend the distinction between diversity and inclusion, what it is specifically, why it is important, and how it would specifically help the organization as a whole.

Diversity & Inclusion and the difference between the two

Regardless of the connection between diversity and inclusion, the two ideas are distinct from one another. The different groups of people representing the workplace is referred to as diversity in a workplace. Which generally implies that a diverse workforce is one that includes workers of various races, gender identities, career experiences, skill sets, ages, etc.Inclusion, on the other hand, is the degree to which the different groups of people are accepted and welcomed in an organization based on their qualifications and skills. We believe Inclusion is key for a company to achieve diversity. For instance, even though a corporation has a diverse team, it would not be inclusive if it solely values or gives priority to the opinions of one particular group based on factors such as ethnicity, social status, gender, etc. Therefore, inclusion must be established in order for the positive impact of diversity on the organization.

Significance of D&I in a workplace

The importance of having a diverse and inclusive workplace has increased over time, as individuals seek to work in a positive and respectful environment where they are valued for their skills rather than discriminated against based on factors such as race, gender, or background. As a result, it is the responsibility of management to take steps to foster inclusivity as the organization becomes more diverse. This leads to greater employee trust in the workplace, allowing for open communication and the sharing of ideas without fear of negative judgments. Moreover, a sense of belonging and respect can lead to increased employee retention, motivation, and job satisfaction. A study by Deloitte found that companies with established diversity and inclusion programs have a competitive advantage over those without. This can also be attractive to potential talents, who may prefer working for organizations that promote diversity and inclusivity. Furthermore, the diversity of perspectives brought about by a globally diverse workforce can lead to better decision-making and improved outcomes for both the company and its customers.

How we establish D&I at Starfish

We choose members of our team only based on their qualifications, work ethic and motivation. We are a non-hierarchical organization, and we want everyone to feel included, empowered, heard, respected, safe and confident to be themselves. Because we genuinely value our members and have faith in them to handle their responsibilities, our colleagues and contractors decide to proudly support us in the overall growth of our company for a long period of time. We support our members in pursuing growth and development in both their personal and professional life. Our members enjoy a great work-life balance because we all work remotely. This provides them the ability to travel and broaden their understanding of diversity, which eventually has a positive impact on the D&I practices established within Starfish. We are grateful to have a global workforce that is so talented, effective, and committed. Regardless of one’s ethnicity, race, or gender, we believe every person deserves the opportunity to pursue the career of their choice based on their qualifications, education, and dedication.

The more diversified the workforce, the more perspectives the business has on various topics.