During a recent conversation I had with Internal Auditor Michael Campbell, who is currently performing a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) audit at DCBS, we got to discussing management’s responsibilities and accountability to advance our agency’s DEI and Affirmative Action Plan initiatives.
The director and his executive team’s responsibilities include:
- Ensuring compliance with the agency’s affirmative action plan and promote equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants; effectively communicate on a regular basis.
- Encouraging commitment to a diverse workplace free of discrimination and harassment and discuss with division administrators their contribution to the agency’s affirmative action goals and inclusive workplace.
- Encouraging subordinates, administrators, managers, and employees to participate in and support diversity, equity, and inclusion education and celebrations, such as the statewide Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Conference, crucial conversations, multicultural education, and celebration events in which the agency promotes and participates.
DCBS managers’ and supervisors’ responsibilities include:
- Fostering and promoting to subordinate employees the importance of a diverse, respectful, and discrimination-free and harassment-free workplace.
- Evaluating how well employees demonstrate and act in concert with agency values and policies by prompt and appropriate crucial conversations in any situation, which may create a respectful workplace.
- Striving to have ethnically diverse representation of the interview panel members during interviews and have all panel members attend the diversity and inclusion training titled “Conducting an Effective and Inclusive Interview.”
Meanwhile, all employees are
responsible for conducting themselves
in accordance with the agency’s equal
opportunity and affirmative action
policies and this plan. Employees
are also responsible for creating
and promoting a work environment
free from any kind of hostility or
unwelcome behavior.
As we celebrate Pride Month,
DCBS recognizes our LGBTQ+ staff
members and community partners.
Also, this is a good
reminder to all to
visit the agency’s
gender policy.
Everyone has
a seat at
the table at
DCBS.