Lockdown and Inclusion: How Do We Stay Inclusive in Our Workplaces under Lockdown?

Working from home and social distancing have very quickly become part of our new reality, and it looks like they are here to stay, in some form or another, for the foreseeable future. In this new reality, we are all actively avoiding social and workplace interactions making it hard to even imagine being inclusive. Yet at the same time, with people’s routines and livelihood disrupted, it is expected that there will be a rise in the levels of loneliness, depression, domestic violence, harmful alcohol and drug use, and self-harm or suicidal behaviour. This pandemic has created a heightened level of fear, anxiety and stress across large parts of the population. With these mental and emotional challenges facing employees in organisations, it is perhaps more relevant than ever to be inclusive while under lockdown.