5 Things / Community
Last week, I spent a few days at my mastermind retreat with a group of other business owners. I enjoy my mastermind so much because, honestly, being a founder can be lonely and I need all the support I can get to achieve my BIG vision for equality. I need community.
You may need it, too. Being an ERG or HR leader and/or DEI practitioner can also get lonely, especially if you are one of the few DEI champions within your organization. When the pressure is on to increase diversity and employee engagement, yet your team is small, and others have differing priorities, the work can feel overwhelming. If you’re looking for a supportive community of peers, I highly recommend the Belonging Community led by my good friend Rhodes Perry.
Get started by checking out Rhodes’ free upcoming Belonging at Work Summit, featuring thoughtful speakers like my friends and DEI leaders LaTonya Wilkins and Jennifer Brown.
Here are the good vibes I found this week:
This week’s stories all relate to the corporate response to the decision by the US Supreme Court to eliminate the constitutional right to abortion. The majority of Americans disagreed with that decision, so there was outrage.
Some brands responded swiftly by modeling policy and communication supporting the right to choose. Many others sent comms reminding employees of how their benefits addressed reproductive care but didn’t condemn the decision.
My favorite of the responses are this week’s good vibes – and they matter because this is about personal reproductive freedom, body autonomy, equity, and so much more. Your employees are paying attention to your response, or lack thereof.
Patagonia Will Bail Out Employees Arrested in Abortion Protests
Patagonia and Live Nation will bail out employees who peacefully protest against the ban on abortion. Patagonia will even pay for training on nonviolent civil disobedience.
CEO: Duolingo Will Move Operations Should Pennsylvania Ban Abortion
Duolingo, the language learning tech company, promises to move its HQ from Pennsylvania if the state enacts a ban on abortion. The company knows a ban in PA might make it harder to attract top talent.
Retailers Rush to Cover Abortion Care, but Not All of Their Workers May Be Covered
The best of the companies (like Levi and Patagonia) ensured that hourly workers also have access to benefits. Hourly workers are the most likely to need these benefits, yet the least likely to have access.
Online Pharmacy Is Offering Steep Discounts on Birth Control and Plan B
Mark Cuban’s new online pharmacy, Cost Plus Drugs, has marked down birth control and Plan B-type bills to expand access to these products, which are in heavy demand at traditional pharmacies. They’re now available at even more extreme discounts.
Red Hatters Should Be Able to Access Healthcare No Matter Where They Live
Red Hat’s benefits provider will reimburse employees and their companions who need to access abortions (outside of a 60-mile radius) a $10,000-lifetime travel benefit. I like this one because the travel distance is lower than others, the benefit is higher, and because many companies used “women” in their communications (thought not necessarily in their benefits), forgetting that non-binary people and trans people may need abortions also.