Why In-Office Mandates Don’t Work: Remembering the Human Factor in Inclusivity by Karen Jacobs
(8/29/2024, OH&S)
Karen Jacobs is a distinguished figure in ergonomics, currently serving as a Fellow of both the Human Factor and Ergonomics Society (HFES) and the International Ergonomics Association (IEA). Jacobs is also the founding editor of the interdisciplinary, international journal Work: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment, and Rehabilitation. She is the Associate Dean of Digital Learning and Innovation at Boston University’s Sargent College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences. In her research, she focuses on investigating the current or potential applications of digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) in health and rehabilitation sciences.
Research underscores the importance of inclusivity in team success. A Deloitte study found that inclusive teams are 17 percent more likely to report high performance, and inclusive companies are 1.7 times more likely to be innovation leaders in their markets. Despite inclusivity and diversity being promoted as high priorities for many businesses around the world, recent trends in workplace policies have raised concerns about the treatment of employees with disabilities.