This article is also available in: 日本語
Hello, this is Mizuki!
In the report of visiting Cisco part 1, I have introduced CDAN, Cisco’s Disabilities Awareness Network.
In part 2, I will share the working environment in Cisco.
Cisco promotes working flexible such as “Work From Home (WFH).”
Since Cisco develops many technologies that can connect people from different places, the employees are recommended to work from home or other places by using those technologies which allow employees to communicate with each other remotely.
One of Cisco’s products is WebEx (http://www.webex.com/why-webex/overview.html) which connects meeting members via chat board, audio/video call, sharing screen.
By installing WebEx into devices such as a PC, smartphone or tablet, the meeting members can be connected from everywhere.
For people with disabilities, one of the challenges is commuting to an office.
Every time I did job hunting, I always had to check the locations of offices first.
If an office is far from the station, I tend not to approach the company because it is hard for me to commute on rainy or snow days.
For some people with disabilities, they need to go to hospital regularly or be hospitalized for surgery sometimes.
Therefore, WFH system will help employees with disabilities to focus on their medical treatment or needs, at the same time, allows them to work from different places.
Cisco buildings in San Jose are well-designed and well- equipped for people with disabilities.
Each of the Cisco buildings has one automatic door that is wheelchair accessible.
Many of the Cisco buildings have a similar building design layout in regards to elevators, break rooms, bathrooms, and meeting rooms making it easier for disabled employees to navigate across multiple buildings for meetings.
Cisco also has “Workplace Resource” team which manages all buildings and provides accommodations for employees.
Chris shared his cases;
Workplace Resource team put stairs for him so that he could reach to the sink.
Also they lowered a coffee bottle to make him reach in a break room.
All employees can request those accommodations via online.
The headquarter of Cisco is huge.
You need to “drive” for 15 minutes from one end to the other.
There are many handicapped parkings.
Also employees can take light rail, which is located right next to the buildings and it is free of charge.
It is also wheelchair accessible.
I also took the light rail. The platform has ramps and no big gap between a platform and train.
I could get on and off very easily by myself.
We will help you but you got to tell us.
Everything is up to you.
This is how Cisco treats employees and expects employees to do so including people with disabilities.
To do the right job and to raise awareness of differences in the company, employees need to think and express what the employees need.
Then the company try hard to make it happen and better.
I really think that this is an ideal relationship between employees and company.
In Japan, working culture is quite different from Cisco.
The concept of working from home is not common, yet.
Doing something not related to the regular job during working time is considered as inappropriate.
However, after hearing why Cisco create and offer those opportunities, I realized everything is connected to Cisco’s business strategy.
Since the employees have more choices where they work, what they do, whom they collaborate with etc., they can balance their work life and personal life well, use abilities fully and expand their capability.
I believe that this working environment is more encouraging the employees to support and respect other employees from different background.
Awareness for diversity and inclusion are raised by people’s mind.
It takes time and is not easy.
However it’s worth putting an effort for it, because “Inclusion and Diversity” bring numerous values and perspectives that strengthen companies.
I learnt that in person from Cisco.