Redefining Inclusion for 2022 and Beyond

The gobal pandemic has transformed the way organizations approach their business and operations, cost structures, sales strategies, employee engagement models etc. - and inclusion strategies should not be an exception. In the first session for the conference, Zinnov will establish the grounds for inclusion now moreso than ever, how the meaning of inclusion needs to evolve post-pandemic, and how employers can start taking a priority-first approach to policies and decision making. How can pre-established intent can lead to longer term impact and how can we ensure systemic level change throughout an organization?

The power that employees have in framing policies and systems is thus far been grossly overlooked. However, as employee voice takes centre-stage in 2022, it becomes imperative to acknowledge the influence employees have as the fulcrum of organizations, and enforce their integral role in designing new frameworks and policies directed towards sustainable change. This session will explore how to build mutually respectful safe spaces, and ensure healthy dialogue between the leadership and the workforce. Keeping the employee's 'Why' at the core, this session will unravel how to build purpose in partnership with its largest stakeholder.

The terms 'Disability' and 'Accessibility' in India's workplace context have been restricted to physical impairments and mobility constraints till date, but expanding our interpretation of 'People with Disabilities (PWD)' being represented at the workforce in 2022 and beyond is vital. Neurodiverse employees provide companies with unique perspectives and skills that are beneficial to business goals, and it's about time we include them in the conversation. This session will focus on raising awareness on the spectrum of neurodiversity, discuss both the values and challenges of hiring neurodiverse talent, and how to build environments that are conducive, empathetic and understanding.

Over these 2 years, we've been deeply steeped into a world where human connection is limited to a window screen. Going forward in the 'new normal', this dependence on technology to faciliate interaction and engagement will only accelerate. This begs the question, are we appropriately leveraging technology to keep inclusive interactions (with employees and customers) as our top priority? Or are we letting geographical distances widen the inclusion gap in our organizations? This session will talk about striving for inclusion via the crucial balance between technology, human emotions, intellect and cognitive thinking. How can the power of technology be leveraged to not only enable but drive inclusive thoughts and actions within the workforce?

COVID-19 was instrumental in leading to the global mental health pandemic. Previously stigmatic concepts of social isolation, anxiety, depression and countless other mental health conditions were brought to the front door of every single person in the world over the last 2 years, no holds barred. It is high time this conversation is brought to the forefront, and addressed in the context of a work environment? This discussion will break down the layers of mental wellbeing, and touch upon how organizations can balance prioritizing employee mental health to deliver business success. We will learn about best practices that ensure the incorporation of mental health in organization policies consistently, and their evolution during the pandemic.

While two years of work-from-home has led to feelings of isolation and silo-ed operations, this session will understand how to bring back the essence of partnership and co-working into the inclusion agenda of organizations. In a conversation on the power of collaborations and partnered thinking, this session will explore the best way to expand impact of I&D initiatives beyond the confines of the workplace. To create real impact and empower the grassroots of diverse communities, how can we work with peers, thought partners and other enablers? Especially when it comes to inclusion, can we make collaboration the new competition?