We've been reflecting on National Inclusion Week, which was last week, and we thought it would be a great opportunity to discuss what we do here at Third Kind Games to further this year's theme “Take Action Make Impact” and why it’s an important part of our company ethos.
Why is being inclusive in the workplace so important?
Well, there are many reasons why! One of the biggest is that a diverse team offers many more unique and interesting perspectives in terms of thought and innovation - which helps create new and exciting projects.
What are effective ways of being inclusive?
One of the most effective ways of making our team and culture inclusive has been to destigmatise previously taboo subjects that should be spoken about openly. For example, our office strives to have an open and honest conversation about our mental health and what we can do to manage it in healthy ways.
I sat down and chatted with some members of the studio to get their thoughts on what made them feel part of an inclusive environment at TKG.
Arianna - Office Manager
How does TKG make you feel part of an inclusive studio environment?
I feel comfortable and in a safe place to be open and honest about my mental health at work - which I have never felt before. My colleagues are extremely understanding and still go the extra mile to do what they can to be helpful and do what they can to make accommodations for what I need. I am someone living with bipolar so having somewhere I work that allows me to be open about these things doesn’t happen often - if ever!
When I started, I discussed this with one of my colleagues and rather than avoiding the conversation, they sat down with me and we discussed what they could do to help. This led to the creation of the Mindful Corner (The Mindful Corner is a space to find presentations and useful information to support our mental health for the studio and remote employees) and other safe spaces we have in the studio, and it was great to see TKG not only do what they could to help me but anybody else who was living with similar situations!
The main point for me was that I felt I had a safe and inclusive space at work that allowed me to find my solutions and help my mental health. If I could offer advice to another studio it would be: open conversation and genuinely listening to your employees with no judgement goes a long way.
Mares - QA Manager
How did TKG make you feel part of an inclusive studio environment?
The studio itself is great at making me feel part of an inclusive community, but for myself, the main person has been my Lead! He makes me feel safe, listens to my issues and always has time for me. My manager helps me not only as a member of the team but as a human being! I mean this as in they’re not only there just to help me with my work, but also my daily personal struggles. As a team, we all know the value of someone having a good home life and how much that can help them create awesome work in a professional capacity too!
In terms of TKG as a whole, we have places and calls that allow us to speak our minds and bring to light any issues we’re having - it helps so much with making us feel included and in a safe space. I feel like I can open up, and be honest about how I feel. The office has a true feeling of comradery like we’re all in this together, and it makes it feel like I’m in an inclusive space every day for work.
Connor - PR Assistant
How did TKG make you feel part of an inclusive studio environment?
As someone with autism, working somewhere that is not only inclusive but also understanding of my everyday issues is something I have struggled with. Neuro-divergency is not something many people are familiar with, especially in many workplaces! I was so pleased when I discovered how open, understanding and willing to go the extra mile my Lead and TKG as a whole were to be accommodating and inclusive of the things I require as an autistic person!
I know the theme of this year's Inclusivity Week is “Take Action Make Impact” and I know for a fact that TKG has taken action and made an impact because they’ve allowed me to thrive and grow so much in my position just since I’ve been here!