Creating Greater Inclusion in the Hybrid Workplace

Learn how to give employees flexibility while still building a connected and inclusive company culture

80% of knowledge workers say they want flexibility in where they work, 94% want flexibility in when they work, and those with less ability to set their own hours are three times more likely to look for a new job. So how can you offer employees the flexible working terms that will help them thrive while still creating a cohesive company culture with belonging and connection at its core? Karla Baratto of Autodesk shares insights and best practices learned from helping to build teams in the midst of the pandemic. She points out that they had to shift from focusing on physical proximity and instead focus on fostering emotional proximity—not so much being seen as feeling seen. By facilitating meaningful conversations, empowering teams to set their own norms, amplifying underrepresented voices, making physical offices great collaborative spaces, and finding unique ways for teams to share their non-work interests, Baratto says, we can create inclusive teams, encourage a sense of belonging, and build a culture that becomes a competitive advantage for your company by helping you attract and keep the best people.

About the speaker

Karla Baratto is the culture transformation and change director at Autodesk. Her focus is on delivering human centered solutions that advance culture transformation, talent management, employee engagement, learning and development, and the future of work. Baratto’s background is in change management, group facilitation, and learning and development. 

Related learning

Learn more about inclusion in today’s hybrid workplace with these AU sessions:  

Radical Approaches to Fostering Team Culture 

Victoria Via of Architects FORA shares tips for building a cohesive company culture in a company that was hybrid from the start. From investing in non-billable time to being transparent about salaries, they have made inclusion and belonging key to their success.  

Women in BIM: The Growth of a Global Community 

Women in BIM was founded in 2012 as a response to the lack of women in key digital roles in architecture, engineering, and construction companies around the world. Learn the group’s history and how it’s become a global force for equity.  

Bridging the Diversity Gap Through Inclusion and Belonging  

We have made progress in bringing greater diversity to the workforce. But do these new employees feel a sense of belonging? Do they feel truly included? How can we do better? A panel of industry experts weighs in.