An increasing number of companies are choosing to work remotely. This trend is not coming to an end any time soon, and that is not just because many employees prefer it. In fact, having a fully remote workforce has many benefits, to employees, managers, and the organization as a whole.

An inclusive culture encompasses equal opportunities and access for all employees. An organization's mission statement, policies, and procedures should include people with disabilities, along with other underrepresented groups. A commitment to diversity and inclusion consists of continued education on disability awareness and inclusivity for all employees, as well as both return to work policies and emergency evacuation procedures that accommodate people with disabilities.

Employee well-being and productivity go hand in hand. As part of adapting to a return to the office, leaders should review and potentially revise their benefits plans to meet new and longstanding employee needs. The COVID-19 pandemic brought widespread uncertainty and disruption, which changed how many people value benefits packages that organizations offer. Reopening and transitioning employees back to the office, or at least to a new work model, brings about more uncertainty.

Building an inclusive onboarding experience is vital to retaining an organization's top talent. Although onboarding is one of the most pivotal moments in talent management, it is too often process-driven and focused on getting new employees to start contributing work. The impact of a poor onboarding experience can manifest as hesitation in diverse employees to commit to a long-term career at the organization.

A workplace is and should be referred to as toxic when the work, people, and environment cause discrepancies, stress, and fear in an individual's life. These disruptions can adversely affect an employee's physical health, sense of autonomy, and sense of self, which can result in sleepless nights, feelings of anxiety, sweaty palms, and a racing, irregular heartbeat.

As the holidays quickly approach, it can be hard for employees to fully concentrate on daily work tasks. Who can blame them? It’s an exciting time of year! With upcoming family visits and important errands on their minds, it makes sense that it can be tough to stay focused.

Companies sometimes hire independent contractors who are not full-time employees. This work arrangement provides flexibility for employers looking to hire workers only for projects with specific start and end dates. The contractors also have flexibility to choose which projects they want to take. Independent contractors are self-employed, may work on a project-to-project basis, and may be employed by more than one company or client.