This year’s shortlist of Worklife Awards captures these changes and more, with companies adjusting to a series of new norms across 2021, even as they sustained commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion across their teams and sought new avenues for bringing wellness into their day-to-day working culture.

The following sections highlight just some of the finalists in this year’s awards.

Expanding — and quantifying — DEI in 2021

Following the surge of attention, in 2020, to diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace have been notable programs and initiatives — all of them evidence that business leaders are working on manifesting their companies’ commitments to DE&I.

Sephora earned its spot on the Worklife shortlist for the Most Committed to Diversity and Inclusion award thanks in part to its Racial Bias in Retail study, offering the industry a first-of-its-kind large-scale report on the subject. At the same time, the company developed near a dozen task forces to further focus on inclusivity within its teams. The retailer additionally expanded the focus of its Accelerate Cohort, designed initially to cultivate female-owned brands, opening the program’s purview to include BIPOC-founded and owned brands.

From metrics to hiring practices and mentorship programs, Publicis Sapient put diversity and inclusion at the center of its story in 2021 as well. For example, among a range of activations, the organization built a calendar of events around Pride Month, including children’s story hours, film festivals and drag shows. For its efforts to create long-term cultural shifts, Publicis Sapient is on the shortlist for Most Committed to Diversity and Inclusion.

Tastemade is also on the shortlist this year for their focus on diversified hiring practices and representation in media. Working with brand partners, the company has focused on amplifying representation across crew, talent and creators. Tastemade is driving several employee- and executive-led initiatives to elevate voices of all kinds and connect individuals to mentorship opportunities within its teams.

A year with a focus on wellness at work

Hootsuite entered the award shortlist under the Most Dedicated to Employee Wellness category, which was a focus for its leadership in 2021. The company restructured its offices as creative hubs, launched a contest encouraging employees to take time off and even granted a full Wellness Week — with pay — to its entire workforce. Hootsuite is also a finalist for the Most Committed to Diversity and Inclusion award.

Another finalist for the Most Dedicated to Employee Wellness is PMG, and the company is also shortlisted for the Best Employer for Parents award. Connectivity is the theme in this set of programs, with PMG bringing its employees together for breakout lunches, employee-led yoga classes, and one-to-one matchups. Beyond that, with additional time off, …read more

Source:: Digiday

Author: Aaron