Fostering connection in a hybrid work environment: Centre for Inclusive Design 

Centre for Inclusive Design (CfID) is a not-for-profit organisation that helps governments, educators, businesses and community organisations design and deliver policies, products, services and experiences that are accessible and usable by as many people as possible. 

The CfID team adopted a hybrid workplace and introduced flexible working arrangements during the COVID-19 pandemic. After public health restrictions lifted, it was clear flexible working arrangements were a priority for workers and so the organisation embedded the approach into how it works. However, the organisation also recognised how important it is for the team to stay connected.   

They implemented several strategies to maintain connections. Mondays are compulsory office days for all CfID staff in Sydney. And once a month, all interstate staff travel to Sydney for an 'All-in Day'. These compulsory events are an opportunity for staff to build connections, come together as a team and share an experience outside of the workplace. The days involve a variety of different experiential activities that relate to inclusive design practice.  The activities are designed to stimulate conversations and strengthen relationships within the team, mirroring CfID’s culture of openness about mental health and wellbeing.   

“Pushing boundaries and having difficult conversations about mental health in the workplace takes courage. By using activities to learn and develop as a team, we have created an environment where staff feel safe to speak up when experiencing difficulties.” Dr Manisha Amin, CEO   

In some hybrid workplaces, staff do not have opportunities to form informal connections. All-in Days are designed to break down barriers and align the team to the organisation’s priorities and purpose. These experiences can also be a great way to contextualise personal problems and build literacy around mental health and wellbeing. The All-in Days are an informal way for staff to learn and engage outside the workplace.  

“We tend to do site visits now and focus on a topic that is inclusion based. But we make it an experiential day and make room and space for informal connection and collaboration,” explains Dr Amin.  

The organisation found that having a diverse team often means that the activities resonate differently for different staff. Some prefer experiential activities while others prefer reflective, social or informative days. After each day, staff are asked to reflect on the experience, what they have learned and how it relates to their practice. This feedback, and how people engaged with the activities, informs the style and substance of subsequent days.   

All-in Days build connection and care across the CfID team, supporting resilience and an environment where people experiencing difficulties feel comfortable talking about their experiences.   

“It's a day where you get to know each other, and it’s also constructive—being in these different environments and doing various activities brings out different parts of you. It’s not common to work for an organisation that creates opportunities like our all-in days to have those types of conversations.” Claire Bryne, Marketing Executive