Hi, I’m Kate White, one of those millennials trying to retain sanity in the thick of balancing work and life as a working parent. This is the 4th edition of The New Box, a writeup meant to spark ideas surrounding the concept of a better work-life “normal” specifically for parents and progressive employers. If you’re enjoying it and know someone who’d like this sort of thing in their inbox, they can subscribe here. 👈
The New Workplace: Black Lives Matter
When I started writing The New Box, I was focused on my passion for the new, post-COVID workplace to include benefits and other considerations to make work-life better especially for parent employees. Over the past 2-3 weeks I, like many white Americans, have finally taken a deep dive to reflect on the experience of African Americans in the United States. Considering the painful moments of injustice we’ve publicly witnessed, it has felt wrong to speak out about any other topic online, much less to speak about workplace solutions that revolve largely around pain points of white collar employees.
I’m embarrassed that it has taken me this long to use my tiny platform to speak out on racial inequality, but the lightbulb finally blinked on in my mind this week: the “new workplace” that I’ve been rallying around must include considerations for everyone in the office, not just caregivers who are struggling to find balance. It’s really across-the-board equity, empathy and innovation I’m after.
Employers need to realize that the next wave of parent employees (Gen Z) are being dubbed the “Action Generation” and will be demanding equitable policies and culture in the workplace soon if they aren’t already. On a personal note, I’ve seen the youngest employees at my 100-person company in Omaha, Nebraska, act as the anti-racism banner carriers among older peers. They have inadvertently incited some awkward all-hands meeting moments in which our c-suite was caught off guard by a request for statements and policy change on the spot. I have never been more proud to be a Millennial.
I believe that the COVID19 pandemic has lurched companies a decade forward as far as acceptance of remote work and other creative solutions for workplace environment, communication and benefits. I also believe that we’ve collectively hit the tipping point of staying dumb and/or quiet about racism both in the workplace and in our Western world in general.
This week, and intentionally today on #Juneteenth, I am writing solely about race and the workplace. Going forward I will include racial equity as a characteristic in my documentation of the better, “new work” that we’re striving toward. Here’s my humble offering of concepts to spark brighter days ahead.
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Consider This: Thoughts, ideas, resources that should be on your radar
How Black Lives Matter In Corporations—This Time Can Be Different
“Mr. Floyd’s death seems to have been ‘the straw that broke the camel’s back’ in a long sequence of events that has demonstrated how Blacks are treated in America… the time for change is at hand and that society has collectively reached a tipping point. Corporate leaders can capitalize on this moment with their actions going forward.”
Why making Juneteenth a company holiday is a powerful statement
“…giving employees a day off for Juneteenth is only as meaningful as a company makes it through a broader commitment to racial justice. ‘Is it just a holiday, or is it a signifier in recognizing how systemic racism and inequity has constrained employees’ lives on all fronts?’”
Black employees say ‘performative allyship’ is an unchecked problem in the office
“Companies may invest in showing customers that they care about issues affecting black Americans, but those acts are meaningless if they don’t invest in their black employees as well. They may make a splashy announcement about a Juneteenth company holiday, but the way they treat their black employees when they return on Monday matters just as much, if not more.”
7 important books for building an anti-racist workplace
Educating yourself about privilege and the United States’ history of racism is critical in order to build explicitly anti-racist communities. Of course, developing self-awareness and finding good resources is just a first step. But productive actions spring from a willingness to learn.
With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best reading if you want to create a truly inclusive work environment.
White Parents, We Need To Do Better
“I spent years telling my friends and co-workers of color that I don’t see race/color or ‘don’t care if people are black, white, blue, purple, whatever.’ It never came from a place of malice, but in retrospect, that statement is deeply damaging. I was essentially saying ‘I don’t see you.’ I reinforced the message, to people I cared deeply about, that their history, their culture, their experience in their black and brown bodies were not relevant.”
In case you think the support of racial equity is a political stance…
Love❤️Note _ To keep your heart warm and your hands active
A 93-year-old Texas woman starts a petition to make Juneteenth a national holiday (Still accepting signatures!)
“My goal with this petition and my walk is to show the Congress and the President that I am not alone in my desire to see national recognition of a day to celebrate ‘Freedom for All’. Will you please sign my petition to let them know as well?”
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