How can a company make its internship program more diverse? Here’s how!

A growing number of companies nowadays are placing a high value on promoting employee diversity and inclusion, but a recent survey by InternMatch have found that not all of these companies actually succeed in making their internship programs as diverse as they desire them to be.

For hiring managers who are looking for ways on how to make their intership programs more diverse and inclusive, here are some tips that may help:

1. Track the number of diverse interns your company hires every year, as well as the sources for these hires.

2. Network with groups and organizations with a national reach to help you find talented minorities.

3. Invest time and resources in mentoring young students.

4. Communicate your company’s diversity initiatives and support them with concrete programs and visible actions.

5. Look beyond traditional hiring strategies to engage potential hires.

Visit diversityworking.com to read the full story.

Diversity expert speaks at University of Chicago to fight discrimination

Tim Wise, a renowned writer, educator and anti-discrimination advocate, was at the University of Chicago on May 6 to raise students’ awareness about race and gender inequality in the U.S. Wise also told students how they can become part of the solution to end racism and gender discrimination in the country. 

In his talk entitled, “Affirmative Action, a Post-Racial Society, and White Privilege,” Wise pointed out that the ignorance of dominant social groups in our society is a persistent problem, which contributes to educational disparity in the U.S. Being part of a dominant social group means “knowing that what else others of our race do, we will not have to answer for them,” he said.

Wise, who is known for his strong anti-racism stance, also touched on the subject of gender discrimination during his talk. He encouraged his listeners to widen their view and understanding about race, sexuality and gender in order to reduce the problem of discrimination in the country.

Wise also dealt with a recent instance of racial discrimination in the University of Chicago, which involved posting of offensive contents on the Internet.

“If you think it’s OK to post anonymous homophobic, racist, sexist things…. You are not qualified to attend a university in the United States of America, especially this one,” he said in reaction to the incident.

After his talk, students said they gained new understanding of the issue of race and gender.

Wise is just among the many faces that combat discrimination and promote diversity in society and in the workplace. If you’re interested to find out more about this subject, visit diversityworking.com and see how companies and other groups promote diversity

Phillips 66 reports strong Q1 earnings

Phillips 66 announced this week that the company's earnings for the first fiscal quarter have more than doubled this year amid the persistently low prices of U.S. shale oil and natural gas.

The company's first quarter earnings jumped from $636 million last year to $1.4 billion this year, according to the report. Phillips 66 Chairman and CEO Greg Garland said this strong growth resulted from favorable refining and chemical margins.

"We also are investing in the continued growth of our business. Our plans for a new natural gas liquids fractionator on the Gulf Coast reinforce our commitment to the American energy landscape and highlight our unique opportunities across the downstream value chain," Garland said.

The company has stakes in 15 refineries. It also operates other businesses including Chevron Phillips and DCP Midstream.

Phillips 66 is one of the companies that support and implement workplace diversity initiatives. As a member of DiversityWorking, Phillips 66 ensures that its employees in all its facilities enjoy equal benefits and privileges in the workplace. Find out more about what Phillips 66 is doing to tout workplace diversity and inclusion by clicking through this link.

What diversity really means

The push for workplace diversity and inclusion has been going on for decades, not just in the U.S. but all across the globe. While most people think that the concept of workplace diversity is chiefly about creating an inclusive workplace for people from different cultural backgrounds, the idea is actually bigger than the issue of race and racial discrimination.

Workplace diversity means recognizing and respecting individual differences. These differences include several dimensions such as race, age, gender, sexual preference, ethnicity, religion, social status and even political beliefs.

But diversity goes way beyond these dimensions. It also means being open to people with different experiences, personalities, communication styles, physical appearance and level of comprehension or learning.

Diversity yields significant benefits to people, businesses and communities. Among many others, diversity allows a person to explore new cultures and backgrounds, which can be essential in his or her personal development. This cultural awareness gives people a deeper level of understanding about the world. It also helps people understand themselves and enables them to relate with others more effectively.

Several factors are important in achieving diversity, not just in the workplace but even in businesses, schools and communities.

The first step to achieving diversity is knowing a person’s traits, both the visible and the invisible. We must be very careful not to pass judgment on a person based on superficial traits such as a person’s clothing or even a person’s hairstyle. Judging others based on their outward traits creates a gap that could prevent people from creating bonds, business relationships or friendships. Thus, it is important that we get to know the person deeper before passing judgment.

After knowing the person, the next step is to welcome him or her into the community. Once we get past the person’s traits, we can freely interact with that person regardless of his or her cultural background, sexual orientation or appearance.

All in all, respect and acceptance are the foundations of diversity. To know more about this topic, visit diversityworking.com and see how U.S. companies and the government work hand in hand in promoting workplace diversity across the country.

Ark. official says ConAgra to add 50 new jobs

A new Associated Press report said ConAgra Foods is expanding its workforce in Batesville, Ark., as the company plans to produce a new variety of Marie Callender’s breakfast sandwiches. This move will generate around 50 new jobs at ConAgra’s facility in the city, a city economic official said.

Larry Jones, director of Independence County (Ark.) Economic Development, said this employment expansion will bring more green to the city as it generates new jobs. This move will increase ConAgra’s workforce at its Batesville plant to 310, Jones added.

ConAgra is one of the members of DiversityWorking that advocates equality and inclusion in the workplace. ConAgra provides equal employment opportunities to everyone regardless of gender, race or ethnicity. The company's initiatives in promoting equality, diversity and inclusion in all its facilities across the U.S. have proven to be a very effective strategy towards achieving sustainable growth across the board.

Click through this link to learn more about ConAgra’s diversity initiatives.

Hobby Lobby opens new store in Wichita, Kan.

Hobby Lobby, one of the U.S.’s leading providers of home decors and craft supplies, is currently building a new store in Regency Lakes Shopping Center in Wichita, Kan. The new 55,000-square-foot store is expected to open this fall, said Vince Parker, Hobby Lobby’s spokesman.

Deal broker Brad Saville, who is the president of landmark Commercial Real Estate, said Hobby Lobby’s addition to the roster of shops and retailers in Regency Lakes will contribute greatly to the shopping center’s marketability.

“I just think that’s going to help the other businesses in the area increase traffic to the shopping center,” Saville said.

Currently, Hobby Lobby has a total of 525 facilities across the country, providing more than 65,000 home décor products and craft supplies to home and property owners in the U.S.

As a member of DiversityWorking, Hobby Lobby touts workplace diversity and inclusion in all its facilities. All over the world, companies that promote diversity have the best chances of increasing their bottomline and improving their efficiency, thus resulting in bigger profits and happier employees. 

If you’re interested to learn more about diversity, you may visit diversityworking.com and see what Hobby Lobby is doing to promote workplace diversity.

Study: Team-building activities don’t always work

Team-building activities and work social events are often used by most companies to develop rapport between their employees and create an inclusive workplace. But a new study found that these activities don’t always achieve their intended purpose.

According to the study, team-building activities may be effective in improving relationships between employees that belong in the same racial or social class, but they don’t always work in building close ties between employees from dissimilar groups.

Experts suggest that instead of focusing on creating work social programs, employers should instead focus on promoting diversity and inclusiveness in the workplace. That way, employees would be empowered to contribute to the company’s overall growth as they find their niche in the workplace.

"Sometimes you can create cohesion around the work task itself — you don’t need outside social interaction. If everyone can feel good about the work they do and celebrate the successes they achieve together, it is not necessary to find ways to connect outside of work," according to Tracy Dumas, the lead author of the study.

Read the entire report at diversityworking.com.

The importance of diversity in the workplace

Discrimination and unfair biases still exist in the workplace at present, and diversity advocates still work round the clock to push for a more inclusive job market that provides a level playing field for all people regardless of their gender, race, ethnicity, religion, age and appearance.

All over the world, companies and organizations that tout workplace diversity boast of significant growth in their bottom line after they embraced the idea of diversity. As employees become empowered and feel comfortable to work with their bosses and colleagues, they feel more motivated to contribute to the company’s well-being. Many studies have shown that increasing workplace diversity yields business success, better productivity and improved customer service.

Because of this, a growing number of companies are beginning to create diversity and inclusion programs in a bid to break cultural barriers and bridge the gap between employees.

Now, for business owners and employers who want to embrace workplace diversity, you can begin by engaging your employees to embrace diversity and work hand in hand to promote diversity. You may also implement programs and policies that give equal business and employment opportunities.

Respect and fairness are the foundations of a truly diverse workplace. See to it that your company promotes these values in all your dealings, particularly in hiring new employees and managing your workforce. In the end, your efforts and initiatives will pay off as your company achieves significant growth.

To learn more about diversity, visit diversityworking.com.