14 speakers shared their take on workplace culture in various keynote and breakout sessions—in both the Azalea and Magnolia rooms of The Space.
Two of the speakers AU Professor and SMR Leadership business owner Stacy Roberts (see above) and Walton Options/Hire Me GA communications executive Ann Campbell-Kelly (see below) tackled tough topics like discrimination, disabilities and inclusion in the workplace.
“If I want change let me be that change,” said Ms. Roberts.
It’s all about communication and language, but we must all be ready to have that conversation,” before we can learn from each other.
An attendee criticized a training video on race relations on the job saying that “prewritten symposiums don’t work because it doesn’t have a follow up conversation.
Another agreed saying her company has changed policy and now present messages of inclusion rather than diversity.
Ms. Roberts said a common fault of poorly done race discussion videos is that the minority feels no change later so they see it as a waste of time and Caucasians leave feeling like they are being attacked. It just comes out divisive for all concerned instead of the intent to bring people together.
“We are a big proponent in training and development,” said another attendee. “Our HR department does our training but sometimes it is better from an outside group. And the employees don’t see it as genuine.”
Ms. Roberts agreed saying, “sometimes it seems like they are just checking the box,” reaching a superficial goal by having such a meeting. “And employees certainly see that and feel that which is not productive.
“We all have to strive for transparency,” said Ms. Roberts. We must all work toward getting over our negative feelings.”
Following Roberts after lunch was Campbell-Kelly who says one in four people in the US have a disability.
She shared that disability is all about civil rights and that people with disabilities are highly educated and stay in school later.
She asked employers, “What does disability look like, what type of inclusive workspace you have and what does it look like?
Campbell-Kelly says it is easier to get around now with different technology—and adds that ease of communication and more respect is needed.
“For an interview, list the entire job description. Will they have to drive— is the workspace inside,” she said Might they have to drive, or is the job inside?”
She’s impressed with local schools like USC Aiken, Aiken Tech, and Augusta University as, they are used to working with candidates with disabilities so they are ready to go when someone applies.
“Tax benefits are available—especially for smaller businesses for hiring disabled workers or barrier movement reimbursement.”
For instance, a disabled employee might need a new desk because their wheelchair won’t fit. Need a new desk because my wheelchair won’t fit.
She reminds employers that it’s not an expense it is an investment. It’s about being flexible.
Campbell-Kelly says now there is the HireMeGa campaign is designed to show that real individuals and employers are sharing the mutual benefit and how inclusion works to create a stronger community within their company and beyond.”
To learn more about this initiative, please visit HireMeGA.com, where you can also access employment resources, professional training opportunities, guidance, community resource connections, and more.
