As more and more U.S. companies commit to supporting diversity, inclusion, and belonging in the workplace, one component that often gets left behind is the extension of those initiatives across an organization’s global offices. On the one hand, policies informed by the American cultural and political context aren’t necessarily effective when applied wholesale in other environments. At the same time, it’s essential for organizations to demonstrate a consistent commitment to their stated values, no matter where in the world they may operate. To address these challenges, the author identifies three tactical opportunities for companies to step up and ensure their inclusion policies are upheld globally: choosing international office locations that align with the company’s values, helping international teams to understand and contextualize U.S.-driven initiatives, and pursuing inclusive language policies in any foreign languages in which the company operates.
