Workforce Diversity Network

10/07/2024

While DEI work has value, DEI officers and managers are criticized for failing to demonstrate data or measurements to demonstrate impact. A recent article by Sandosham (2024) identifies the need for DEI professionals to clean up their messaging, and begin developing systems to track impact.

In short - data and communication systems yield meaningful strategies.

Are they right?
Powerful questions yield powerful results.

I suggest we all read the article and ask ourselves questions about how to communicate and track data.

https://eric-sandosham.medium.com/the-problem-with-dei-cb81d1053543

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The Problem with DEI
eric-sandosham.medium.com
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Lack of data literacy can turn a good idea bad.

10/02/2024

Generational differences are a DEI issue for developing effective work teams.

Karen Ledford identifies several strategies for 'Generational Intelligence':
· Craft Inclusive Work Environments
· Promote mentorship programs
· Stay updated on trends regarding generational differences
· Talk to colleagues from different generations, conduct
surveys, and encourage open communication.
· Foster empathy.

Read the full article:
https://www.diversitycertification.org/deia-matters-blog/generational-intelligence-the-key-to-unlocking-a-thriving-multigenerational-workforce #:~:text=By%20understanding%20the%20core%20motivations,and%20understanding%2C%20dismantling%20generational%20stereotypes.

08/26/2024

I had the chance to reconnect with a colleague, Sandy Whitmore from RIT's division of Diversity and Inclusion, when presenting at the Workforce Diversity Network.

It was a great chance to talk about how to easily bridge employee relations using diversity dialogue.

"...People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." (M. Angelou).

07/30/2024

The Workforce Diversity Network (WDN) announces
its Fall 2024 professional development series.

It includes topics such as:
-Simple Designs for Diversity Dialogue
-Transgender Issues in the Workplace
-Creating and Utilizing Effective Employee Resource Groups
-An Open Networking Post-Election Forum Focused on DEI
trends in Rochester, NY
-Examining Your Website and DEI Design

Studies show that across the county, there is growing resistance to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and education...

when the need to create productive and effective organizations has never been greater.

Membership rates and more information can be found at:

https://workforcediversitynetwork.com/become-a-member
or
https://workforcediversitynetwork.com

For over 24 years WDN has been the standard of excellence in the Rochester region providing support to businesses as they develop diversity in the workplace.

07/25/2024

The Workforce Diversity Network (WDN) announces
its Fall Programming Calendar!

Why should you care?
DEI education in the workplace has never been more Relevant.
New York state is not immune.

Across the county, there is growing national resistance to the sensitivities around DEI and education; studies show:

-Thirty states are either introducing or have already introduced
over 100 bills to restrict or regulate DEI educational initiatives in
public schools and colleges (since 2020);

-There are at the national level, declines in funding of DEI
corporate professional development & training in the US.

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The Workforce Diversity Network Fall professional development series includes topics such as:

-Simple Designs for Diversity Dialogue
-Transgender Issues in the Workplace
-Creating and Utilizing Effective Employee Resource Groups
-An Open Networking Post-Election Forum Focused on DEI
trends in Rochester, NY
-Examining Your Website and DEI Design

Membership rates and more information can be found at:

https://workforcediversitynetwork.com/become-a-member
or
https://workforcediversitynetwork.com

For over 24 years WDN has been the standard of excellence in the Rochester region providing support to businesses as they develop diversity in the workplace.

07/11/2024

The Workforce Diversity Network provides free job postings for its members.

The good news: Someone is being hired every day.

The bad news: You might miss the right job opening for you, if you don't check out the Job Postings on the WDN website:
https://workforcediversitynetwork.com/jobs

Jobs posted this month:
-RegionalHuman Resource Manager-Rochester Clinical Research
-Provost/ Vice President; Genesee Community College
-Various Adjunct Instructors: Fashion Design; Genesee Community College.
-Numerous Job Openings, Lifetime Assistance, Inc.

Check out the WDN website for:

Other Resources:
https://workforcediversitynetwork.com/resources-%26-research

The Upcoming Fall Season of Professional Development programs:
https://workforcediversitynetwork.com/

For over 24 years WDN has been the standard of excellence in the Rochester region providing support to businesses as they develop diversity in the workplace.

06/11/2024

**The Workforce Diversity Network announces its Summer Series**

The 2024 Summer Series, "Simple Designs for Diversity Dialogue", allows for a deeper dive for members, vetting the advantages and challenges of creating dialogue programs within their organization.

The series has three components:
1. Parts 1 and 3 help participants assess if and how a diversity programming series may be helpful in their respective workplaces with an emphasis on (1) a book, print, or video series and (2) respectively, creating a partnership/dialogue program within their workforce.

2. Part 2 is an extended dialogue program beginning June 25, and ending September, when participants are matched in various configurations throughout the 12-week program to discuss various assigned diversity components, and also to network.

In the past five months, other topics have included understanding the role of Restorative Circles, Returnship Programs for Women in the workforce, and Invisible Disabilities.

Special rates for the Summer and Fall seasons (listed on the WDN website) are available to organizations that believe that they can benefit from professional development with other DEI professionals.

The attached photo is from the May program’s panel, “Invisible Disabilities,” with both Ebony Burgess (Monroe County) and Jennifer Geiger (NYS Education Department) facilitating a four person panel, attended by approximately 51 members, both in-person and hybrid.

For more information, see: https://workforcediversitynetwork.com/

04/29/2024

In March, WDN offered a program regarding how to implement Restorative Circles as a proactive way of building respect among co-workers, and also addressing work issues. (Facilitated by Jazzmyn Ivery-Robinson, an Assistant Director of Community Belonging at RIT’s Center for Campus Life (see photo).)

The May program will focus on “Invisible Disabilities: The Challenges You Can’t Always See”, including the impact of conditions such as chronic pain, anxiety, depression, and ADHD in the workplace.

(Presented by Ebony Burgess, Deputy Director in the Monroe County Department of Diversity, and Jennifer Geiger, The Business Relations Representative at ACCES-VR (NYS Education Department).

Membership for professional development through WDN is on-going, and the full 2024 season is now updated on its website at https://workforcediversitynetwork.com

03/13/2024

Last February, the Workforce Diversity Network hosted a four-person panel to discuss the best practices when creating DEI internships in their organizations, and the national standards regarding hiring practices. Why?

Internships are excellent ways to expand effective labor opportunities at cost effective rates.

They infuse intergenerational skill sets and innovation into work settings.

It can be a career builder for the student, but also great professional development for managers.

It is an excellent way to build ‘grow your own programs’ as a recruitment tool for underrepresented populations.

Evaluation feedback indicated that the program increased participants’ skills and knowledgeto take back to the workplace (4.13 rating out of 5).

Pictured below are some of our in-person participants, and panelists:

Kathleen Cramer, Career Development and Internship Specialist; SUNY Brockport

Dale Leyburn, Director of Internships; Nazareth University

Maria Richart, Director of Career Services and Cooperative Education;

Karlee Robb, former intern; currently enrolled at Nazareth University.

03/07/2024

One of the most recent articles published by Forbes magazine (March 2024) reads, “Are Companies Quiet Quitting DEI?” The author, Julie Katz, begins by listing a variety of headlines from other newspaper articles:

“D.E.I. Goes Quiet” (New York Times)

“Tech Companies Like Google and Meta Made Cuts to DEI Programs in 2023 After Big Promises…” (CNBC)

“The War on DEI “(Insight into Diversity)

While DEI education and professional development may be under fire at the national and (some) states’ levels, its value should not be dismissed in the workplace. There, meaningful and effective DEI dialogue is important as it promotes positive, common-sense relationships regarding worker productivity, leader teams, marketing circles, and customer/client bases.

The Workforce Diversity Network is offering a series of presenters whose programs are designed to help promote effective and safe conversations surrounding the broad-based arena of DEI in the workplace:

-Circle Up. A Restorative Approach to Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace
-Invisible Disabilities: The Challenges You Can’t Always See
-Simple Designs for Diversity Dialogue in the Workplace,
-Part 1: From Books to Videos
-Part 2: Partner Dialogue Programs in the Workplace

Additionally, WDN is providing an opportunity for its members to participate/experience a participative DEI dialogue program through its ‘Dialogues in Diversity ‘program, beginning in June 2024. WDN programs are intended to focus on relevancy, research and respectful conversations.

Affordable membership information for WDN can be found at

For over 24 years WDN has been the standard of excellence in the Rochester region providing support to businesses as they develop diversity in the workplace.

02/13/2024

Effective goal-setting in the DEI profession is critical in a world where DEI education and professional development are routinely challenged.

At WDN’s last professional development program, participants *indicated: that

-their understanding of the topic improved from a satisfactory to very good level (from 3.40 to 4.20 rating); and

-the content could be used to advance DEI initiatives in their organization (4.00 rating.)

These results occur when networking and education are merged in a 90-minute learning experience.

For more information about WDN and these kinds of activities, a calendar of events and membership fees can be found at www.workforcediversitynetwork.com.

*Rating Scores: 5= Excellent; 3 = Satisfactory; 1 = Poor