Commentary
Why It’s Important for Businesses to Empower Customer Service Reps
Power to the (customer service) people, or else we're doomed.
This article appears in print in the August 2018 issue. Click here for a free subscription. In the annals of retailer/client relationships, nothing reverberates as instructively as the bizarre story some say its fact, others say its fake of a guy in Alaska returning an automobile tire to a Nordstrom store for a refund. Rest…
What HR Needs To Do in the Wake of #MeToo
"Post #MeToo, why hasnt human resources dropped everything to respond quickly, discreetly and effectively to complaints of abuse and harassment?"
This article appears in print in the August 2018 issue. Click here for a free subscription. Good news: more women are reporting workplace harassment, and the press is paying attention. The bad news is most women, such as those at Nike, must advocate for themselves. A 2017 Harris poll found that just 20 percent of…
50+ Businesses Join Pearl Jam to Call for Shared Strategy to Fight Homelessness in Seattle Region
The Home Shows have inspired the business community to share their vision for fighting homelessness
More than 90 Seattle area businesses have joined legendary band Pearl Jam in their effort to fight against homelessness in the Seattle area. More than $11 million has already been raised, exceeding initial goals, and all kinds of special promotions and initiatives have been happening all over the city this week to help the cause….
Sonic Gloom
The NBA delays its much-anticipated announcement of the return of the Sonics
I had never seen my friend Carter so perturbed. “This is a load of crap,” he said, reflecting the views of NBA fans across the city. “I’m starting to wonder if this is ever going to happen.” Carter — who remains an avid NBA fan, unlike many other Sonics loyalists — was reacting to an announcement this week by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, who said the league would deal with expansion at some point in the season…
Habits Of Happiness
How to maintain mental health in a busy work environment
National surveys show that, in a given month, more than 77% of employees experience work-related stress, which can lead to emotional exhaustion or workplace burnout. Thankfully, mental wellness is more consistently addressed and discussed in our society at large and in our workplaces. “Employers are moving past stigmas and creating safe spaces for those with…
Pay Gap Gets Personal
The Washington State Women’s Commission unveils campaign for equal pay
It was his laugh that I remember most. I had just been offered the biggest job of my career, but the salary was not what I had expected. It was low. Shockingly low for the responsibility and public scrutiny I was about to have. So, I tried to negotiate. The president of the company laughed…
AI is here to stay. Its design shouldn’t leave kids behind
Seattle Children’s Research Institute weighs the implications of AI in pediatric care
Seattle is at the forefront of the AI revolution, and while we don’t work in the technology industry, we see the promise for our field of pediatrics. AI is already shaping a new era in medical breakthroughs and…
Erasing The Pay Gap
The essential connection between pay equity and DEIB best practices
Pay equity is a hot topic right now. For many employers, it’s a complicated and challenging issue to solve. Opportunity gaps and unclear decision-making are just a few issues employers across the region can face when tackling these complex topics. Compensation adjustments and sticking with proven diversity, equity and inclusion principles can help. The first…
Every Body is Different
How to build awareness around body and size diversity
Conversations around body-size inclusion are becoming more prevalent in the workplace, allowing us all to examine both professional and personal biases that can be deeply embedded into our workplace culture. Learning genuine ways to discuss body size to establish inclusivity, increase representation internally and externally, and refrain from harmful practices can ensure that your organization’s…
Empowering Black Seattleites in Pursuit of Homeownership
How Seattle’s lack of affordable housing is affecting its Black residents
As a Black woman and financial advisor deeply engrained in Seattle’s community, I’ve witnessed firsthand the struggles many Black individuals face in securing affordable housing…
The Battle Against Bias
How to create an inclusive, psychologically safe workplace
Creating inclusive spaces for folks with expanded gender identities can have a profound impact on both mental and physical health, and the workplace should be no exception. Employers have the unique opportunity to create a sense of belonging for individuals who might not feel inclusion in other areas of their lives. How do you create…
Second-Chance Hiring
Would your organization hire formerly incarcerated individuals?
Even though many studies show that formerly incarcerated talent has equal-to-better job performance stats when compared to peers, some organizations still have systemic bias against employees and applicants with a criminal history. If employers are truly committed to infusing DEIB into their practices, instituting intentional fair-chance hiring practices must be considered. Here are some frequently…