Inclusive workplaces

Hi @PositivePossum6

I think you have some great suggestions there! Looking forward to hearing from others. I'll tag some of our members who might have ideas.

Hanami

@NatureLover @Shaz51 @ShiningStar @AussieRecharger @Zoe7 @outlander @CrazyChick @MDT @pinklollipop15 @wellwellwellnez @Eve7 @Boo13 @Faith-and-Hope @maddison @Dimity

Hi @hanami

How are you? I hope you are doing well today and your day is positive ahead.

It is a very interesting question and I believe inclusivity can start with communication. It might also start with keeping in mind that, for example, if a workplace wants to be more inclusive they need to be mindful of the fact that not all disabilities are physical in nature. Some disabilities (like my own ASD) is an invisible disability. What this means is that while a workplace can be inclusive of someone who has a wheelchair by providing a ramp for them to access the building, then for someone with ASD the accessibility/inclusivity requirements would be more along the lines of quiet spaces to work where we can work uninterrupted and even lighting and communication adjustments. Because we are talking about my autism the way my future workplace can be inclusive of my autism is by asking me, because I am an expert on my own autism.

Hi @PositivePossum6,

You raised good and important questions. I also think you have some really good and valid points around what could be considered an inclusive workplace. I particularly like your suggestion around a candidate being given the interview questions in advance to help reduce performance anxiety. I feel this way about exams too - I had a friend that was very clever at school but whenever they had to do an exam they didn't do well because their anxiety meant they couldn't think clearly.

I feel when we are anxious we are not always able to be our true selfs - it's such a shame really as the person I am when I'm really anxious does not reflect the real me. Things like interviews and exams aren't always a good indicator of how a person can really perform.

I also prefer natural light over artificial light - its also a good point you make and not one that many people would think about unless they are affected by it.

Hope your day is good and I look forward to reading other peoples' opinion about this.

FloatingFeather

1. Inclusion even with disclosure of a disability or minority group identity.

2. Patience all round as in a truly Diverse Inclusive Community or Workplace, there will be difficulties around providing what is NEEDED to any individual, as we cannot assume which particular disability or psychosocial issue is present.

3. Rule no ! repeated, with caveat that with disclosure fair dealing is made to meet requests. Not rejection or put in the too hard basket.

@PositivePossum6 Good post.

It can be tricky as different groups have varying lobbying presence. Inclusion of one individual may not make it easy for others. Conversations with nuance are required. I self identify as aspie, as a more socially tolerated label to other MH labels. I have enough of the characteristics.

Hi @Appleblossom,

What would be an example of a minority group? Could this be ethnic background and/or religious identities? (Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, Islamist, Hindu) perhaps?

Thank you for sharing your ideas and for disclosing your autism. From one aspie to another I welcome and accept you!

Hi @FloatingFeather,

Many thanks for your contribution --- your contribution is very valued by myself.

Thank you for providing the example of your friend, because of course exams were liable to induce performance anxiety in myself as well. Because things like exams and interviews are the kinds of things that can make anyone anxious. Interviews are not very popular and widely enjoyed. But I do think many companies could make the interview more accessible and less fear-inducing by making them more inclusive.

When you said "Things like interviews and exams aren't always a good indicator of how a person can really perform." this reminded me of something I learned when I was studying history at university. Did you know that for example, in Shakespeare's time --- during the 1500s --- there was no such thing as a "mark" or a "grade". Shakespeare would never have received an "a" or even a "fail". Grades, marks and exams are a by-product of a meritocratic society, Shakespeare did not live under a meritocracy, in the 21st century we still live under a meritocracy. Meritocratic societies became more common around the time of the Enlightenment, so this is the year of 1685 – 1815 (notable names of this period are the German philosopher Immanuel Kant, and Voltaire).

My point in saying all this is to say, simply, that Shakespeare would agree with you. But Kant would not agree with you, or me for that matter. Kant would have said that, if his essay "What is the Enlightenment?" is anything to live by:

"Enlightenment is man's emergence from his self-imposed nonage. Nonage is the inability to use one's own understanding without another's guidance. This nonage is self-imposed if its cause lies not in lack of understanding but in indecision and lack of courage to use one's own mind without another's guidance. Dare to know! (Sapere aude.) "Have the courage to use your own understanding," is therefore the motto of the enlightenment"

Hi @PositivePossum6 nice to meet you.

I'm maddison.

Ooh, I like learning about nonage &

Dare to know! (Sapere aude.)

You are wonderful at explaining.

Kind of similar subject... I recently discovered Bionic Reading. Have you heard about that?

I "think' it is quite useful to me. I need to try it few more times. Unfortunately I'm mostly on my phone & I can't use plugins for Chrome on here.

I would like to see more inclusive work places too, in all forms. Being trauma informed is excellent idea.

I see change & that is wonderful. I see lots of stigma & fear too. We will get there👊

Yes @PositivePossum6 similar to those groupings.

Last night I did a Diverse Communities Consultation. There were many LGBTIQA people present, who advocated their issues. As someone who has been an organiser, I see potential difficulties in that there are probably so many different groups, eg Cerebral Palsy people, or those with Corpus Collosum issues that it is not fair to expect workplaces to anticipate everything.

It would be impossible for every conceivable group to be catered for at all times, so I see it as important to be able to disclose, to implement the limited reasonable interventions necessary, relevant to the circumstances and to allow for many more to enter the workforce.

Ha ha

Your discussion re philosophy. I dropped out first year uni and did pol sci instead, (cos we had a lousy lecturer) but always interested.

Hello @maddison ,

Many thanks for joining the conversation - welcome to you!

Thank you for telling me that I am wonderful at explaining. As I am working on a novel at this point in time I really do think being able to communicate my thoughts, feelings and ideas is very important.

I think the idea you suggest of workplaces being trauma-informed is a wonderful idea. I must admit that I have never heard of bionic reading, I did a quick google search and it sounds interesting - how exciting!

There is still lots of stigma and fear, you are correct. But you sound very optimistic (like myself), we will get there I think!