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Rethinking Thanksgiving 2021
For the past few years, we have shared some thoughts and resources on why we should rethink Thanksgiving (and how we choose to celebrate it, or not). This year, we have another opportunity to do just that: rethink what, how, and why we choose to celebrate this holiday. For many people, Thanksgiving 2021 will be the first time that they’ll have a chance to gather with family members in over a year, now that everyone has been vaccinated. For others, this is an opportunity to reclaim some sense of community and togetherness.
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How to Write a DEI Statement
While DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) efforts are increasingly becoming a part of most organizations’ plan for workplace development and culture, many struggle with how to put their commitments into words. How do you articulate your dedication to… hiring a diverse workforce? Creating and maintaining safe spaces for all employees? Investing in staff development and continuous learning? Summing up something so broad can be daunting! And while it’s important to develop a solid DEI statement, it doesn’t have to be hard. So let’s get into it. What is a DEI statement, anyway?
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The importance of investing in professional development
The first time I became a manager, I was promoted because I was good at my job. My boss was promoted, therefore I was able to move into his place based on my work performance. The second time I became a manager, our company was experiencing significant growth, so I was asked to build a team to support the influx of work. The third time I became a manager, I solved a problem early during my tenure with the company, and as the team grew, I was asked to manage people who were recently my colleagues.
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How to Support Employees with Invisible Disabilities
What is an invisible disability? Often when many of us think of someone with a disability, we typically think of someone with a clearly visible impairment such as being in a wheelchair or needing other ambulatory devices for assistance. However, the definition of someone with a disability is much broader. Disability not only includes obvious physical disabilities but non-obvious physical, cognitive, and psychological disabilities as well.
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Get to Know the Inclusion Geeks Facilitators: Rachel Sadler
We’re excited to introduce you to some of the incredible DEI training facilitators that are part of the Inclusion Geeks team. We asked them to share what sparked their passion for this work, what DEI means to them, and why they do what they do. Meet Rachel Sadler, DEI Facilitator! What does DEI mean to you?DEI means ensuring that all spaces, whether academic, corporate, leisure, or otherwise, are representative of the global population. It means that all people can see themselves as integral and valuable parts of every community of which they are members.
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Why Digital Accessibility is Critical to a Successful DEI Strategy
In honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we’re thrilled to team up with Perkins Access to learn more about digital accessibility. NDEAM is held each October to commemorate the many and varied contributions of people with disabilities to America’s workplace. As noted by the U.S.
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Five Ways to Support Your Employees Now
Many of us are experiencing a tremendous amount of emotional labor as we continue to live in uncertain times. While it may sound nice to compartmentalize the world from our work, the reality is this isn’t a realistic scenario. As colleagues, as managers, as leaders, how can we best support each other as we ask the tough questions: “How do I keep going? How can I support my team?
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9 Must-Follow DEI TikTokers
TikTok went from the “cool-kid” app for teens to a home screen mainstay for even the “cheugy” 30-somethings over the pandemic. But as we’ve learned, it’s so much more than just weird dance challenges, prank videos, and lip syncing. We may have gotten a little too into paint-mixing videos and cheered the viral success of @420doggface208 (2020 was strange, y’all), but there are some important conversations taking place there. From disability advocacy to microaggression-busting comedy, from neurodiversity chat to Gen-Zers on a mission to inform, DEI initiatives are having a legitimate moment in a new platform.
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Fourth of July and Voting Rights
Ahh, 4th of July. The day we celebrate America. Freedom. Patriotism. And this year feels like a particularly special one as many of us are vaccinated and will be able to see and hug our friends and family for the first time in 18 months or more. It’s important to remember what this day celebrates. This is the 245th anniversary of the day that the Declaration of Independence was signed. As a refresher, the Declaration of Independence was written to grant only white men who owned property (including enslaved people) the ability to vote.
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10 ways to support your employees beyond Pride month
As June 2021 comes to a close, corporate logos will lose their rainbow colors and revert back to their previous colors and branding. We will likely see a decrease in discussions around LGBTQ+ issues and community, and we will most definitely see a dramatic drop-off in last-minute requests for LGBTQ+-focused speakers for corporate events. However, if your organization is truly committed to inclusivity and supporting everything that Pride stands for beyond an optical approach, your work here isn’t ending just because June is over– it should just be hitting its stride.
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Recommended Books to Start a DEI Book Club at Your Workplace 2021
Last year we shared a list of books employees can read together if they’re thinking of starting or continuing a DEI book club at work. This year we’ve updated our list with new books that may support you and your team in discussing issues related to identity, privilege, allyship, media, and policy change. Here are 10 hand-picked DEI-related books to read in 2021: Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents By Isabel Wilkerson In this book, Wilkerson explores the ways in which society creates caste systems that impact behaviors, outcomes, and ultimately the trajectory of people’s lives.
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Seven (More) Tech Tools to Mitigate Bias in Hiring
If you have open roles at your organization, you’re likely using a variety of technology platforms and tools to assist your recruiting team. The hiring tech space continues to grow and expand year by year, and there are many different options out there for companies looking for help. We’re particularly interested in tools that bring a diversity, equity, and inclusion perspective and approach to the forefront.