Constructing Post-COVID-19, Resilient, Inclusive, Diverse, Community-Centered Workplaces

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased fear and uncertainty, creating an intense focus on safety, skewing the relationships between the government, organizations, and individuals. Currently, the onus to deal with the changes has been mainly on individuals. However, the pandemic creates trends and actions that add an equity lens guiding organizations, governments, and businesses. This equity lens promises a better future with more significant workplace equity. This chapter identifies four crucial areas where this is happening: 1) community and civic engagement, 2) trust and transparency, 3) increasing diversity in the communications workforce, and 4) mental health support. The challenge is to make the currently emerging new approaches and processes become part of our organizational lives and our new normal. It is the opportunity to make our positive responses to the COVID-19 pandemic permanent ones, increasing diversity, inclusion, equity, engagement, and health.