At beCAUSE minded, equality is one of our core values. I could probably write a 25,000 word blog on this subject (don’t worry – this isn’t that blog). Instead, I am going to focus on how we strive to create an inclusive workplace through very purposeful and practical choices.
We find that some companies focus on just one aspect of equality – diversity in hiring. While this is an important aspect of equality, it’s by no means the only metric of success. Once people are in the door, it’s important to make sure your space is a place of inclusion. A few ways we do that at beCAUSE minded are:
1. Allowing our employees to pick their own holidays
Everyone gets 10 holidays and can choose any days they fancy. We don’t allow these to be vacation days (i.e. you can’t take all 10 days off at one time), but other than that, we don’t really have any guidelines. Noraliz is proud of her Puerto Rican roots and takes 3 Kings Day as one of her holidays. I take off my birthday most years, which falls right before my kiddos’ schools start. So, we get to spend the day together doing something fun before they go back to school. Jacquelyn takes more “traditional” holidays. I love that each of us have our own take on holiday selection. Shout out to Noraliz who first brought up this diversity-celebrating idea!
2. Providing Parental Leave
We give parents 13 weeks paid leave, plus 13 weeks part-time with full-time pay. Maybe this seems more like a company perk than a statement on equality, but the truth is, many women leave the workplace because their employers don’t offer an environment that is supportive of working moms. We believe offering parental leave and flexible scheduling is a statement on gender equality.
3. Choosing Corporate Gift Suppliers
We strive to elevate the vulnerable by sourcing from businesses that provide employment to transitioning homeless, sex trafficking survivors, and people with disabilities. Our supply chain is among the most challenging around, but we believe this part of our business model is one of the most important ways we fight for equality through our work at beCAUSE minded.
4. Giving Diverse Gifts
We are big on gifts (obviously, lol!) and are careful to not exclude people who may not celebrate in the same way we do. We send out birthday, beCAUSE minded anniversary, and holiday gifts. If we don’t know which holidays the person celebrates, we go with Happy Holidays. But when we do know, we send a Happy Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or Christmas gift. We find this is warmer and can build a more inclusive culture by celebrating everyone’s unique background.
If you’re looking for unique holiday gift ideas for your team, we have several!
beZEN gift box
This box, featuring our Green, Chamomile, and Oolong teas, a honey sampler, and our best-selling Taino mug, is great for anyone who wants to warm up during the holiday season.
The purchase of this box provides employment to sex trafficking survivors, impoverished farmers in Bangladesh, and helps prevent orphanhood in Haiti.
beREADY gift box
This box is filled with beautifully practical items for your home. The set of 2 hand-loomed Pestemal bath towels and a coordinating hand towel pairs perfectly with the neutral pine soap dish, natural loofahs, and olive oil soap.
The purchase of this box provides employment to Syrian and Palestinian refugees.
beSTILL gift box
The gift of stillness is great for any holiday! The beSTILL gift box includes our warm and soft cream and gray sherpa blanket, Star Trails layflat journal, hand-crafted Alwar Teak pen, Ugandan French roast whole bean coffee, and our warm Uttar socks.
The purchase of this box provides employment to the transitioning homeless, supports orphans in India, provides clean water in developing countries, and funds education for girls.
Want to see more? Check out more gift ideas for employees here.
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