Cover Story - Tablo

The Importance of Being a Team Player - Practicing Inclusion in the Workplace

By Alessandra Zappaterra, Communication and Social Media Manager, Tablo Limited

Do you remember the opening lines of ‘About a Boy’? Will Freeman, the protagonist started with “every man is an island”, which justifies his eternal status as a selfish and carefree man, as opposed to what John Donne, the English poet claimed, “No man is an island entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main”.

Everyone can make personal decisions in our own kingdom as we are solely responsible for the consequences.

However, can we still make individual decisions in the workplace?

After embarking on our career, it is safe to say we all agree no one is irreplaceable and there are no more or less important jobs than others. This illustrates the concept of a team precisely. A team is where we work together towards common goals instead of an individual. But one may wonder how to establish relationships with a new colleague.

As human beings, we have a psychological need to be part of something, to fulfil our sense of belonging; be it a family, a group of friends, a culture or a country. It is the same in the workplace - we need to have a sense of belonging in the workplace. We are more productive, motivated and engaging when we have a sense of belonging. According to research conducted by the Centre for Talent Innovation, employees who have a high sense of belonging are 3.5 times more likely to contribute to the workplace with their maximum productivity.

Let us take a look at the study conducted by EY on the importance of belonging to better understand the emotional impact caused by the sense of belonging. The research consists of the survey results of 1,000 employed American adults, which showed that over 40% of respondents felt physically and emotionally isolated in the workplace. The result proved that exclusion, which is equal to having a low sense of belonging at the workplace, is a growing problem. Therefore, it is vital for businesses to connect with their employees effectively, creating a sense of belonging in the workplace.

The survey concluded with one simple solution: create more opportunities for colleagues to engage with each other. The study stated that 39% of respondents felt a sense of belonging when they interact with each other, both personally and professionally. By reaching out to employees on a personal level, businesses and leaders can significantly improve the employee’s sense of belonging by making them feel valued and connected.

Tablo is a small, but gradually growing company - a bit like a big family. We organize brunches, table football evenings, cocktails and Sunday roasts regularly. While most of our staff are Italian, it is essential for us to include others who do not speak Italian or those who adopt different traditions and habits. Tablo engages employees in various activities, including celebrating both Christmas and the Chinese New Year. Apart from that, we are also very committed to supporting good causes as a team.

Tablo has always had a partnership with The Italian Women’s Association (IWA), a registered charity in Hong Kong that raises funds through events and donate the proceeds to various Hong Kong charities. Each month, Tablo pledges to donate 20% of its online proceeds to the association.

Apart from the IWA, Tablo supports another significant project, Missione Possibile Hong Kong. Missione Possibile is an Italian non-profit organisation in Hong Kong that supports missionary projects, aiming to protect fundamental human rights, including education, adequate medical care and freedom of thought. Tablo is proud to be the lucky draw sponsor for a charity football match in November.

It is now very common for businesses in the Bel Paese to promote corporate volunteering. For one, corporate volunteering improves the atmosphere of the workplace by enhancing employees’ satisfaction with their employer. Corporate volunteering is also important to businesses as it increases their reputation. Through volunteering, businesses show that they are socially responsible. For this very reason, we will continue to support good causes and hope more businesses will do this too.

Last but not least, while our team prepares to grow and welcome the opening of our new store, we wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Tablo supports the Italian Women’s Association (IWA) by donating 20% of our online proceedings every month