Being a better ally at work

Our Diversity, Inclusion, Culture, and Equity (DICE) team recently held an event focused on being an ally and improving the way we interact with each other at work. Employees across our family-owned company heard from legal scholar and author Kenji Yoshino who recently published a guide that helps people talk about identity, diversity, and justice in a practical and shame-free way.

How we’re encouraging thoughtful action

These are a few key points that colleagues learned about from Yoshino during the event to be a better ally and to reduce the fear associated with interactions being misunderstood.

• Move even more toward allyship. Come together to unite in solidarity against discrimination and hate of all kinds.
• Encourage a coaching culture. Bridge the desire to be an ally with being an effective one. Yoshino empowered employees to be thoughtful with their actions, listen to the needs of those around them and grow from their encounters.
• Audit yourself and your habits. Structure your actions, shift your thinking to see others’ perspectives and work toward creating change.
• Help people as they wish to be helped. Don’t try to give back or assist someone from your perspective. See what they’re sharing or asking from their point of view.
• Be aware of how you react. If a situation evolves, remove yourself, reflect, and then re-engage at a later time.

Ongoing connection with employees

We are always looking for ways to connect with our employees and the diverse backgrounds they bring forward every day. It’s our varying perspectives and our commitment to being Upstanders that sets us apart from other companies. As a team, we aim to be respectful, speak up for others, and ignite positive change for the people and animals we serve.

Here’s what Celeste Woolfork, one of our team members who is completing a rotation with DICE, had to say about why allyship is so important at work:

“We need allies in our work lives for the same reasons we need friends in our personal lives. When circumstances are the most challenging, it always helps to feel seen, heard and supported. In fact, it’s human nature.  We are all Upstanders in our daily lives for the people we care about – that should include our work family, too.”

Celeste also shared that a good ally takes it upon themselves to be informed, consider the best way to lend support, doesn’t let fear of saying the ‘wrong thing’ prevent them from saying anything at all, and is “driven by their response to, ‘how would I feel if this were me or my loved one?’”

Our goal - and hope - is to continue to evolve while growing this level of empathy, professionalism, and acceptance at work. This is a place where everyone can collaborate across differences, be better, and do more for humanity and #ForEachOther.

Consider joining our team and growing with us too.