Berkeley College and North Jersey Chamber of Commerce Discuss Strategies for Diversity in the Workplace
Monday, November 9, 2020
BERKELEY COLLEGE AND NORTH JERSEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
ADDRESS STRATEGIES FOR DIVERSITY IN THE WORKPLACE
Share the News: @BerkeleyCollege @NorthNJChamber #NewsBerkeley
Berkeley College and the North Jersey Chamber of Commerce shared proactive strategies and resources to promote diversity in the workplace, during “Diversity for Small Businesses,” a free webinar on November 6, 2020.
“Whether your business is large or small, do not get left behind in these critical times,” said Moya Bansile, Esq., Professor, Legal Studies, School of Professional Studies. “It is important that you forge ahead and recognize the paradigm shift in diversity, equity and inclusion.”
As Co-Chair of the Berkeley College Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force (DEITF), Bansile shared best practices for businesses, including diversity training for management and staff, website accessibility, revisiting mission and vision statements, and conducting a climate survey. “Business entities cannot remedy what they are not aware of,” Bansile said.
Patricia Greer, JD, Chair, Legal Studies, Berkeley College School of Professional Studies, said diversity begins with hiring practices and human resources policies, which should be revisited annually. Job descriptions should reach all possible candidates, and companies should beware of gendered words, she said.
“What are your policies beyond the law?” Greer asked, discussing guidelines for maternity and paternity leave and observing company holidays. “Are they fair and equitable? What are you doing in your business to make people feel that you are including everyone?” She added that Berkeley College will observe Juneteenth as an official college holiday, beginning in 2021, after a recommendation from the DEITF.
The speakers emphasized that candidates are becoming more discerning when selecting the companies for which they would like to work.
“Studies have shown that the more diverse your team is, the more successful your team is,” Bansile said. “Companies that are not embracing the changing landscape of diversity are going to find themselves very poor in terms of human resources.”
The speakers also shared resources available to businesses to support diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
“There are many different sources of funding available on both the state and federal levels, and also in the private sector,” Bansile said. “See what is available, see if you qualify, and by all means, apply.”
“Both presenters provided valuable key points supporting the continued awareness of changing policies and attitudes toward diversity, as well as resources available through grants and funding opportunities for their businesses,” said Michelle Vernuccio, President of the North Jersey Chamber of Commerce. “The discussion of meaningful topics, such as diversity and inclusion, is our number one focus as a business organization serving northern New Jersey.”
Photo Caption (L to R): Moya Bansile, Esq., Professor, Legal Studies, Berkeley College School of Professional Studies and Co-Chair of the College’s Diversity Equity and Inclusion Task Force, and Patricia Greer, JD, Chair, Legal Studies, School of Professional Studies, presented “Diversity for Small Businesses,” a free webinar hosted by the North Jersey Chamber of Commerce on November 6, 2020.
About Berkeley College
Berkeley College, founded in 1931, is a career-focused institution accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education that offers students Master’s, Bachelor’s, and Associate’s degree and Certificate programs in more than 20 career fields. The College also offers continuing education programs to enhance career credentials.
Berkeley College has campuses in Midtown Manhattan and White Plains, NY, as well as in Newark, Paramus, Woodbridge and Woodland Park, NJ, with more than 4,900 students enrolled. In addition, Berkeley College Online® serves a global population. U.S. News & World Report has named Berkeley College among the Best Colleges for Online Bachelor’s Programs and among the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans, for seven consecutive years. The website address is www.BerkeleyCollege.edu
The mission of Berkeley College is to empower students to achieve lifelong success in dynamic careers.
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