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Achieving Inclusivity Through Remote Work

Achieving Inclusivity Through Remote Work

As presented at DevConf 2023 in Cape Town and Pretoria

Jameson Alea

May 25, 2023
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  1. Achieving
    Inclusivity Through
    Remote Work
    Jameson Alea
    @jameybash

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  2. DevConf 2023 - @jameybash
    Who am I?
    (they/them
    or he/him)

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  3. DevConf 2023 - @jameybash

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  4. DevConf 2023 - @jameybash
    Stack Overflow Developers Survey, 2019

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  5. DevConf 2023 - @jameybash
    Stack Overflow Developers Survey, 2022
    Fully remote: 12% -> 43%
    Fully in-person: 43% -> 14%

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  6. Benefits of Remote Work
    > More flexibility
    > No commute
    > Freedom to work from anywhere
    > Better productivity / fewer
    interruptions or distractions
    > The comfort of working from a space
    you’re comfortable in
    DevConf 2023 - @jameybash

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  7. “Benefits”
    > “something that produces good or helpful
    results or effects; or that promotes
    well-being”
    - Some benefits are nice to have; they
    make your life better than it would have
    been otherwise
    - Some benefits are things you need; they
    make it possible to do something you
    wouldn’t have been able to do otherwise
    DevConf 2023 - @jameybash

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  8. Why strive for a diverse team?
    > Because it’s the right thing to do!
    > It will make your team stronger
    - Having different perspectives
    represented will make you better at
    anticipating problems and having
    empathy for users
    - You will land talented people who are
    often overlooked and will be great
    additions to your team
    DevConf 2023 - @jameybash

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  9. Diversity vs Inclusion
    > Diversity: having a
    team that doesn’t
    all look the same
    > Inclusion: making
    people who don’t
    look the same feel
    comfortable,
    welcome and
    integrated on your
    team
    DevConf 2023 - @jameybash

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  10. Chronic Illness or Disability
    > Accessibility concerns
    > Difficulties getting out of the
    house/to work
    > A tangible need for flexible
    working hours
    > Energy conservation worries
    > A desire to keep their health
    issues private
    DevConf 2023 - @jameybash

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  11. Underrepresented Minorities (URMs)
    > Energy conservation (again)
    - Code-switching
    - Microaggressions
    > Feeling like an outsider
    > Resources are often an issue
    DevConf 2023 - @jameybash

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  12. Location-based diversity
    > Not everyone has the resources to
    live in major urban areas
    - Can’t afford it
    - Family obligations
    - Visa issues
    > These are factors that may
    disproportionately affect URMs
    DevConf 2023 - @jameybash

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  13. Transitioning Remotely
    > I’m trans!
    > The number of trans people working
    in tech is growing
    > I believe the reason for that is
    because: remote work is possible in
    tech, and remote jobs can be
    attractive to trans people for unique
    reasons
    DevConf 2023 - @jameybash

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  14. > What should I wear?
    > What bathroom should I use?
    > The existential horror of being
    perceived in my physical form
    > People learning your new
    name/pronouns
    > Time off for surgeries
    Transitioning At Work Challenges
    DevConf 2023 - @jameybash

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  15. Fostering a healthy remote environment
    > It takes work!
    > It’s a skill that takes practice!
    > It’s something you have to be
    intentional about!
    DevConf 2023 - @jameybash

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  16. (Text-Based) Communication Is Key
    > Messages exist
    and you can go
    back to them in
    the future
    > More time to think
    about what you’re
    going to say
    > Tone is really hard
    to convey
    > You have to be
    more explicit
    about
    expectations
    > Give as much
    context as you can
    for your messages
    DevConf 2023 - @jameybash

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  17. Being a good advocate
    > Push for a “remote-first” culture
    - Otherwise remote people can
    miss out on opportunities
    - Which is something URMs
    already struggle with!
    > “We should include X on this…”
    > Video calls w/ everyone on separate
    videos
    DevConf 2023 - @jameybash

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  18. Avoiding (Some) Microaggressions
    > Don’t comment on people’s
    appearance on video calls
    > Allow people to keep their video off,
    at least sometimes
    > Correct others if they use the wrong
    name/pronouns for a trans coworker
    DevConf 2023 - @jameybash

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  19. The Remote Landscape
    DevConf 2023 - @jameybash
    WFH

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  20. DevConf 2023 - @jameybash
    A weird situation…
    > A LOT of people recently
    tried working remotely for
    the first time…
    > during the most stressful
    era of modern history…
    > and I’m not shocked that
    they didn’t all like it!!!

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  21. DevConf 2023 - @jameybash

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  22. And in the future…?
    DevConf 2023 - @jameybash

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  23. Recommended Watching
    > “Understanding Spoon Theory &
    Preventing Burnout”
    - https://youtu.be/rPtUR4kDXeY
    > “Things I Wish I Knew Before Going
    Remote”
    - https://youtu.be/nUQ41-vBtdg
    > “Trans Eye for the Cis Ally”
    - https://youtu.be/EtouMNnLIzM
    DevConf 2023 - @jameybash

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  24. Thank you!
    Stay safe & healthy!
    @jameybash
    jamey-alea.com

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