Littler Diversity & Inclusion Podcast

Affinity groups have been receiving mixed reviews from many of late. These groups have been lauded for improving the business, bolstering employee loyalty, and fostering a sense of community. However, these groups have also been criticized for creating employee silos, encouraging distrust and division, and functioning as mere “gripe sessions.” Littler Principal Cindy-Ann Thomas and her guests Patty Olsen, Chief Human Resources Officer of Huron, and Dr. Isaac Dixon, Associate Vice-President of Portland State University, examine both the pitfalls and opportunities associated with affinity groups. They explore the following questions, among many others: - Fifty years later, are affinity groups still really necessary? Or are such groups actually more necessary than ever right now, in light of our evolving socio-political climate? - What are the reasons behind any increase in cynicism associated with affinity groups and how can they be addressed? - When and under what conditions can these groups be successful

Cindy-Ann Thomas and her guests Littler Shareholder Allan King, and author and historian Carroll “C.R.” Gibbs provide a multi-faceted examination of the label “People of Color.” In this podcast, Cindy-Ann, Allan, and C.R. address the following, head-on: - What are the historical underpinnings for the “People of Color” label? - Does or should any particular one racial group “own” this label? - What are the social and legal challenges associated with this designation? - What are the shortcomings and advantages for an organization that applies this term to categorize its D&I initiatives? - Is it time to update this term? Or is “People of Color” an expression that is here to stay for the foreseeable future? Listen to this podcast to hear an in-depth discussion and analysis of the answers to these questions and more. People sometimes struggle with identity labels, in a genuine effort not to offend. We can help organizations in their D&I training efforts on complex topics like these. Check out this and other “co

For those organizations that don’t have a dedicated Diversity & Inclusion Officer, many continue to experiment with where to house their D&I efforts. HR? Legal? Operations? Which departments are driving diversity in most U.S. organizations today, and what are the opportunities and challenges associated with those choices? Littler Principal Cindy-Ann Thomas and her guest, Debra Plousha-Moore, System Chief of Staff of Carolinas Healthcare System, explore the relationship between the success of an organization’s diversity initiative and the office or department that champions it.

After more than half a century of corporate diversity efforts - and notwithstanding the best of intentions - companies are still grappling with the ability to promote and retain females and people of color in their leadership ranks. In this podcast, Cindy-Ann Thomas and Gavin Appleby discuss the following: - The increasing use of "diversity bonuses" as an incentive that organizations are using to bolster diversity - Potential landmines to avoid - Ways to maximize the effectiveness of these techniques This is a recruitment tool that is gaining traction. Cindy-Ann and Gavin get to the heart of the issue in this dynamic podcast.

Women today still face considerable challenges working in the legal profession. This podcast explores: - The reality that women consistently assume more at-home responsibilities even though they have similar work demands as men - The impact of taking maternity and family-related leaves of absence - The truth about the “likability factor” - Unique guidelines for effective self-promotion and networking practices - The value of establishing personal rules and rituals - The critical role that business leaders have to play in attracting and retaining female legal talent So what are the keys to achieving well-rounded and meaningful success when managing a career in law? Cindy Ann Thomas addresses these topics and more with her guests: Erin Webber, Shareholder at Littler; Frances Barbieri, Assistant Vice President and Senior Corporate Counsel of U.S. Bank; and Mary Kaczmarek, Attorney Coach, Law Firm Consultant and Author.

Cindy-Ann Thomas, Littler Principal and Co-chair of the firm’s EEO and Diversity Practice Group, and Dr. Thomas Robertson, Chief Psychologist at Jackson Behavioral Health Hospital, discuss how the transgender patient population in healthcare is one of the most highly victimized groups. They discuss a joint study undertaken by the National Center for Transgender Equality and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force entitled: Injustice at Every Turn. Data from the major study showed that transgender and gender non-conforming people disproportionately experience discrimination, harassment, and even violence with respect to accessing healthcare. Listen to this podcast to hear a discussion and analysis of eight specific and startling statistics.

Littler’s Cindy-Ann Thomas and Gene Ryu are joined by client-guest Enidio Magel to discuss the first days of the Trump administration. The three address the effects of the fiery and divisive debates that made their way into workplaces across the country during our most recent election season, and explore the arising diversity challenges.

In this inaugural post to the Diversity & Inclusion podcast series, we discuss the importance of diversity and inclusion today for the organizations we counsel and how we help our clients with their diversity and inclusion efforts. Join Cindy-Ann Thomas, Littler Principal and Co-chair of the firm’s EEO and Diversity Practice Group, and Kevin Kraham, Shareholder in our D.C. office and a member of our Diversity and Inclusion Council, as they share what diversity and inclusion means to Littler and our clients, discuss the shifting philosophies and interests about the diversity and inclusion space, and explain how and when to keep up with the trends.