How to build a strong diversity, inclusion, and belonging (DI&B) culture with a remote team

Building a vibrant, inclusive culture within a remote or hybrid team presents both challenges and opportunities. With employees spread across different time zones and cultural backgrounds, cultivating a sense of belonging demands intentional effort and creative approaches.

The Women's Remote Culture Club, also known as the Women's RCC, is one of the several RCCs at Remote, focusing on empowering and supporting women in the workplace. It's part of Remote's broader Remote Culture Connections (RCCs) initiative, which aims to foster community and promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at the company⁠. The RCC offers a model for companies to establish strong DI&B foundations, ensuring that every voice is heard, valued, and empowered.

In this blog, you’ll read personal stories from leaders and members of the Women at Remote RCC. 

This initiative was created to empower female-identifying employees at Remote, and offer them a platform to share experiences, support each other, and drive meaningful change within the organization and beyond. 

What is the Women at Remote RCC?

Jillian Michaleski, Principal Strategic Partnerships and founding member of the Women at Remote

Jillian is a Principal of Strategic Partnerships at Remote, where she focuses on managing the company’s most critical partnerships and driving their success. A passionate advocate for women in business, Jillian is dedicated to creating an environment where women feel empowered, valued, and heard. 

RCCs are employee-driven communities formed around underrepresented groups, playing a crucial role in our efforts toward diversity, inclusion, and belonging. 

The Women at Remote RCC is all about empowering and uplifting women in the workplace. We're here to build a strong community that encourages both personal and professional growth, offers valuable resources, champions gender equality, and pushes for positive change within our company and beyond.

What I love most about Women at Remote is the opportunity to connect with incredible women from all over the world, each bringing unique perspectives that continually expand my way of thinking.

Meet Remote’s Women at Remote members

Shreya Jajodia, Sales Development Executive

Shreya is a Sales Development Representative supporting the APAC region. Shreya is passionate about connecting businesses with the right solutions and specializes in understanding customer needs, providing valuable insights, and fostering meaningful connections that lead to long-term partnerships. What does being a member of Women at Remote mean to you?

As the only employee from Nepal, "Women at Remote" feels like a global community of like-minded women. It’s not just about simply about inclusion but about genuinely supporting and celebrating women from all backgrounds. It’s about having access to resources and a global community that values and uplifts women’s voices and contributions. It’s amazing to be part of a company that ensures we have the opportunities and support to grow and lead, no matter where we’re based.

What impact did it have on you?

Being involved with "Women at Remote" has been transformative. It’s given me a strong network of support and mentorship from amazing women who I otherwise wouldn’t have had the chance to meet, especially given my location. The initiatives have boosted my confidence and helped me tackle new challenges with a lot more assurance. It’s also created a sense of belonging, knowing there are others who share similar experiences and understand my journey. It’s truly enriched my career and made work feel more balanced and fulfilling.

What would you say to someone who was considering joining an RCC?

If you’re thinking about joining an RCC or a similar group, I’d encourage you to do it! It’s a great way to connect with others, even if you’re working remotely from a different part of the world. The support and resources are invaluable, and you’ll have the chance to make a real difference while growing both professionally and personally. Jump in and take advantage of the opportunities‌ — ‌it’s a rewarding experience you won’t regret!

Annabelle Hackett, Senior Account Executive

Annabelle is a Global Employment Specialist supporting the EMEA Contractor Management team. Being a Contractor Management subject matter expert, she focuses on improving the experience to enable clients to onboard, manage, and pay freelance contractors.

What Women at Remote means to me

Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DI&B) are not just buzzwords; they are the backbone of a thriving workplace. In a remote or hybrid environment, where face-to-face interactions are limited, and async communication prioritized, building a DI&B culture is critical to maintaining engagement and overall well-being. There is still a lot of work to be done in terms of reaching equality in tech and especially in Sales, and the Women at Remote RCC provides a platform to encourage leadership and mentorship opportunities and creates a safe space for dialogue. Women supporting women is very close to my heart. What made you want to join Women at Remote?

I wanted to join Women at Remote because I was looking for a community where I could connect with my peers who could understand the unique challenges and opportunities I faced. In a dispersed workforce, it's easy to feel isolated, and I wanted to be part of a group that actively supports and uplifts each other professionally. The Women’s RCC at Remote offered exactly that‌ — ‌a safe space to share experiences, gain insights, and contribute to meaningful conversations about gender, inclusion, and belonging within our business and industry.

Whether it's by participating in events, offering mentorship, or simply being a supportive voice in conversations, I joined as a member who was eager to both learn and contribute. I wanted to engage in discussions about the realities women face in the workplace, especially in a remote environment, and help shape initiatives that promote gender equity and inclusion. I joined with the intention of being an active, engaged member.

What would you say to someone who was considering joining an RCC?

Go for it! And if your organization doesn’t yet have RCCs in place, consider setting one up. It’s one of the most rewarding decisions you can make, both professionally and personally to connect with like-minded colleagues, make your voice heard, and drive change. It’s a win-win.

Remote & Async Work —

13 min

10 inclusive workplace practices for your remote team

Decentralizing your workforce and disrupting organic in-person conversations can create new opportunities but also new obstacles related to diversity and inclusion. That is, unless you take the appropriate steps to ensure the health of your D&I initiatives in a remote-first world. 

Lessons from Remote's Women's RCC

 Here’s how the Women’s RCC sets the stage for a strong DI&B culture:

Creates safe spaces for dialogue. The Women’s RCC hosts regular meetings where women at Remote can discuss challenges, share successes, and collaborate on initiatives. This creates a safe, supportive environment where everyone feels comfortable expressing their views and ideas.

Encourages cross-cultural connections. With members from various parts of the world, the Women’s RCC fosters cross-cultural understanding and collaboration. This is essential in a remote setup, where different cultural perspectives can enrich discussions and lead to more innovative solutions.

Leadership and mentorship opportunities. The Women’s RCC provides women with opportunities to step into leadership roles, whether by leading discussions, organizing events, or mentoring others. This empowers women to take charge of their careers and supports the development of future leaders within the organization.

Amplifying diverse voices. The RCC actively works to ensure that all voices are heard, especially those from underrepresented groups. By spotlighting diverse perspectives, Remote ensures that their DI&B efforts are not just token gestures but integral to the company’s culture.

What are some strategies for building DI&B in your remote or hybrid team?

Establish Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). Like Remote’s Women’s RCC, create ERGs that cater to different demographics within your team. These groups provide safe spaces for employees to connect, share, and collaborate on initiatives that promote inclusion and belonging.

Host regular virtual events. Foster connections through regular virtual events, from cultural celebrations to panel discussions on relevant topics. These events help break down silos and build a sense of community across geographic boundaries.

Prioritize inclusive communication. Ensure all communication channels are accessible and inclusive. This means considering time zones when scheduling meetings, using inclusive language, and providing multiple platforms for feedback and discussion.

Promote continuous learning. Offer training on unconscious bias, cultural competence, and inclusive leadership. Encourage team members to continually educate themselves on DI&B issues and how they can contribute to a more inclusive workplace.

Measure and iterate. Regularly assess the effectiveness of your DI&B initiatives through surveys, feedback sessions, and other metrics. Use this data to iterate and improve your strategies, ensuring they continue to meet the needs of your remote or hybrid team.

Building a strong DI&B culture requires effort, but the rewards are immense. By taking inspiration from initiatives like Remote’s Women’s RCC and implementing thoughtful, inclusive practices, companies can create a connected, engaged, and diverse workforce that thrives‌ — ‌no matter where its members are located.

How Remote promotes a strong DI&B culture for remote teams

Prioritizing inclusivity in the workplace is essential for improving employee happiness, productivity, and engagement, while also attracting a more diverse range of candidates. 

For businesses managing a distributed workforce, extra effort may be required to ensure all team members feel included and valued. Remote’s global HR platform streamlines employee benefits, compliance, taxes, and payroll, allowing leaders to focus on fostering an inclusive environment. 

At Remote, we are committed to supporting diversity and inclusion by embracing employees from various backgrounds and identities. Our public company handbook provides insights into our inclusive policies, covering topics such as remote work, async communication, and global compensation.

Interested in hiring diverse, multi-cultural team members? Check out the world’s best job board for remote workers on Remote Talent today! 

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