nuwsletter | November 2023
Volume 11
our nuwsletter / November 2023
Quote of the month:
“Ethics and equity and the principles of justice do not change with the calendar.”
nu-education:
Companies and organizations are recognizing the vital role of diversity, equity, and inclusion in their workplaces. The benefits of embracing DEI practices have a profound impact on employees, organizational success, and overall corporate culture. They lead to improved employee well-being, reducing stress and anxiety, which, in turn, fosters increased health and peace of mind. DEI also helps to significantly lower turnover rates, creating an inclusive environment that encourages employee retention.
The first step in transforming your organization is assessing where yours stands in terms of diversity, equity, and inclusion. First, it's essential to assemble a dedicated DEI team, consisting of individuals who not only support the cause but are also willing to be champions for your short and long-term goals. The next step involves a comprehensive examination of your organization's cultural dynamics, staffing composition, compensation structures, opportunities for advancement, the inclusivity of physical spaces, and the presence of psychological safety within the workplace. Lastly, to ensure a data-driven approach, utilize DEI assessment tools, conduct staff surveys, host focus groups, and engage in exit interviews. These methods will provide valuable insights and a solid foundation upon which to build and tailor your initiatives for a more inclusive and equitable future.
With a clear understanding of your current state, you can move forward with a plan of action and begin building a more inclusive workforce. Start by establishing a diverse DEI or hire team, ensuring that your recruitment team itself embodies a variety of backgrounds and perspectives. Craft job postings with inclusive language, emphasizing skills and experience, to attract a broader candidate pool. By focusing on must-have qualifications instead of preferred attributes, you reduce unnecessary barriers to entry, promoting fairness in candidate selection. Consider posting job openings on diverse platforms and networks to reach a wider range of potential candidates. Implement blind recruitment practices, such as removing names, graduation years, and addresses from initial application reviews, to eliminate bias in the selection process. Offering remote or flexible work arrangements accommodates candidates with diverse needs and backgrounds. Standardizing interview questions ensures candidates are evaluated fairly while incorporating DEI-focused questions helps assess their commitment to diversity and inclusion. By diversifying your recruitment process, you not only enhance your organization's talent pool but also lay the foundation for a more inclusive and diverse workplace.
To ensure your DEI initiatives are effective, it's vital to continuously measure and adjust:
Keep your staff engaged: Regularly communicate your DEI goals and progress to keep your employees informed and involved.
Reassess regularly: Continuously monitor and assess your DEI initiatives on a quarterly or bi-annual basis.
Measure outcomes: Evaluate the outcomes of your goals and initiatives, and make necessary adjustments.
Adjust and move forward: Learn from your assessments and make changes to ensure your DEI practices are effective.
Keep it Going: DEI is an ongoing journey, so maintain the momentum and continue to evolve your practices to keep up with changing dynamics.
In conclusion, diversifying HR practices through DEI initiatives offers numerous benefits for organizations. By continuously assessing your current state, diversifying your recruitment process, and expanding DEI throughout your business, you can create a more inclusive and equitable workplace, resulting in a happier, more engaged workforce and ultimately contributing to the success and profitability of your organization.
nu-spotlight:
Check out some of these local events happening this month and look out for more on our social media accounts!
-
During this event, you’ll learn from industry experts and gain insights on how to create a more inclusive workplace or community. Engage in an interactive workshop and delve into the significance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in driving innovation and growth. You’ll increase your understanding of the purpose of DEI work and what it can help us achieve. Additionally, you’ll clarify what is meant by embedding DEI into work and identify strategies to help achieve this.
Wednesday, November 1, 2023
1:00 pm to 2:30 pm
Virtual
Donations encouraged
-
Fairness and equity in compensation comprises clarity of regulatory requirements, alignment to strategy, and an awareness of best practices and processes, including job analysis, job evaluation, and the development of pay structures. Participants will receive an overview of all of the above as well as a checklist to appraise their existing compensation program for fairness and appropriateness in the pursuit of DEI initiatives. This session will focus on fairness and equity in compensation and will provide participants with tools to appraise their organizations’ compensation programs in the pursuit of DEI initiatives.
Thursday, November 2, 2023
2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
Virtual
Free
-
Discussion of recent opposition to diversity, equity and inclusion, specifically to the LGBTQ+ community, and the impact on organizations.
Thursday, November 2, 2023
3:30 pm to 5:00 pm
Virtual
Free
-
During this session you will be able to develop a plan that brings structure to your marketing approach through identifying the Who, What, When, Where, and especially and how to support those whose voices need elevation.
Tuesday, November 7, 2023
10:00 am to 12:30 pm
Virtual
Free
-
This masterclass is designed to help business leaders develop an understanding of the benefits and risks associated with creating safe and brave spaces in the workplace. The session will explore how to create a culture where people feel protected from harm, yet also feel empowered to take risks and express their authentic selves. We will discuss the importance of creating boundaries while also fostering connection and inclusiveness. The facilitator will provide practical strategies for facilitating productive conversations that encourage both safety and risk-taking.
Monday, November 13, 2023
12:00 pm to 1:15 pm
Virtual
Free
-
Focused on disseminating ideas and sharing experiences on how small or big actions of being inclusive, kind, humble, compassionate, and empathetic in the work culture. These can bring positive results. Empathy and equity, for example, are key to creating health and wellbeing and a sustainable, prospering, peaceful, and harmonious climate in a diverse society/workplace.
Monday, November 13, 2023 to Friday, November 17, 2023
Virtual
Free
-
Get ready for a transformative experience as the Arts & Culture DEIA Advisory Board presents an unforgettable workshop with the brilliant Fedearia Nicolson-Sweval PH.D. This is Part Two of a series that delves into the crucial work of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, and you won’t want to miss a minute of it. With Dr. Sweval as your guide, you’ll explore the complex lens of privilege and implicit bias, and gain a deeper understanding of what it means to be authentic
and empathetic in a rapidly changing world.
Thursday, November 16, 2023
3:30 pm to 5:00 pm
Virtual
Free
-
What to expect… Understand how issues about Diversity and Inclusion affect you, recognize when they show up, and how to tackle them. Share your insights and use your voice to create positive change. Meet decision makers from various industries, and gain insights on how to advance a career in the industry and position yourself for success.
Thursday, November 30, 2023
2:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Virtual
Free
-
This free workshop will explore the various reasons why businesses use social media, the benefits, and drawbacks for utilizing social media for business use, as well as exploring current social media trends. Participants will also learn the importance of businesses protecting themselves online and the ways in which they can ensure this happens effectively.
Thursday, November 30, 2023
2:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Virtual
Free
Download a copy of the nuwsletter here
