Wow, Dell.
That’s a divisive decision for employees:
“For remote team members, it is important to understand the trade-offs: Career advancement, including applying to new roles in the company, will require a team member to reclassify as hybrid onsite.”
In other words, “if you work from home, you won’t be eligible for promotion.”
This is despite Dell’s earlier statements not only supporting remote working, but also claiming that they’d identified no difference in performance levels or quality between in-office and home working.
For me, it also misses a vital point on inclusion.
Inclusion is about creating safe environments where everyone can contribute, challenge and critique without fear of judgment or reprisal.
It is a challenge. Everyone is different and allowing everyone to show that diversity requires us to treat them individually, too.That’s not just about protected characteristics – designating prayer rooms, accessibility considerations etc. – it includes how and where people can best contribute.
Flexible, hybrid and fixed working is here. That genie is out of the bottle and whether we’re personally a fan or not doesn’t matter.
Prescribing a 100% return to the office disadvantages many groups – particularly mothers.Likewise, insisting on 100% remote working might also disadvantage other groups – such as extroverts, and those new to working life.
Additionally, a HBR study found that “out of sight, out of mind” cultures can develop, reducing promotion and recognition for remote workers.
If we’re genuinely serious about inclusion, understanding individual employees is paramount.It might not be possible to make realistic adjustments (bus drivers have trouble working from home).
But providing a blanket approach to working practices is the antithesis of inclusion.
This position might come back to bite Dell.
Employees have more choice and flexibility. It’s never been easier to supplement a core income with sales on eBay, Vinted or even OnlyFans.
If Dell aren’t providing flexibility and inclusion, their people are likely to look for it elsewhere…
