DE&I Employer Toolkit
Practical strategies to welcome an increasingly diverse workforce, create inclusive environments, and make West Michigan a leading talent region where everyone can thrive.
Becoming a national leader for talent demands organizational and talent management strategies that leave no one behind. West Michigan can only succeed if everyone can thrive here.
West Michigan employers and talent and diversity experts share these tools in recognition that diversity and inclusion strategies must be embedded in systems, processes, policies, and culture. And to accomplish this on a regional scale, employers must lead the way.
The result is a richer talent pool, better retention, stronger organizations, increased economic mobility, and greater participation in the labor force.
This toolkit is separated into 15 categories for you to easily find research, best practices, and examples from local employers of strategies that work. The tools are intended as a resource to help leaders develop and deploy solutions for their unique needs, while addressing disparities for the underemployed and underskilled populations in our region.
Policy, governance, and leadership strategies that champion DE&I.
Examining pay equity and removing bias from job descriptions.
Resources for training and insights on unconscious bias, cultural competency, and racial equity.
The importance of environmental stewardship and its role in economic growth.
Resources for engaging and networking beyond the workplace.
How does your organization measure up?
Participate in TalentFirst’s DE&I Benchmark Survey to assess organizational performance in the 14 categories above. Your individualized report displays year over year comparisons and benchmarks your score against the aggregate score. Leaders leverage this data to inform their strategic plan and areas of focus.
Contact Carly Smyly, c.smyly@talentfirst.net, to sign up and learn more about this year’s installment of the survey — scheduled to deploy in September.