As the saying goes, the news never stops. In this weekly news roundup, we’ll cover the top news stories impacting American workplaces and communities.
1. Juneteenth: A Day to Remember, Learn and Promote Equality
On Monday, June 19, the United States will celebrate Juneteenth, commemorating the end of slavery in the country. It became a federal holiday in 2021 and is also known as Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Juneteenth Independence Day and Black Independence Day.
Use this Fair360 article as a cultural competency tool to educate your workforce on the origins of Juneteenth, how it became a national holiday, the first Juneteenth celebrations and more.
2. Wells Fargo Research Highlights Economic Impact of LGBTQ+ Representation
Research conducted by Wells Fargo (No. 32 on the Fair360 2023 Top 50 Companies for Diversity list) shows a positive correlation between LGBTQ+ representation and gross state product growth rates.
Fifty states, including the District of Columbia, were analyzed in the research. While many factors determine growth rates other than LGBTQ+ representation, states with over-representation of the LGBTQ+ community experienced more substantial economic growth rates from 2010 to 2019, while states with under-representation had weaker growth rates.
3. PwC’s Chris Reeve’s Story of Social Mobility and Success
Chris Reeve, London Regional Market Leader and Partner at PwC (a Fair360 Hall of Fame company) shared his journey from a council house in Middlesbrough, a town in North Yorkshire, England, to a successful career.
Reeve’s brothers encouraged him to pursue a trainee tax accountant role in London. Despite feeling different from others during the assessment day, his uniqueness made him memorable, and he secured the job.
“Don’t set yourself limitations in life, and be confident in the value you bring – people connect with authenticity,” Reeve said in a PwC UK LinkedIn post.
4. Accenture to Invest $3 Billion in Data & AI Practice
Accenture (a Fair360 Hall of Fame Company) has announced a $3 billion investment in its Data & AI practice to help clients across industries leverage AI for growth and efficiency.
The investment includes expanding AI talent, launching the AI Navigator for Enterprise platform, creating industry-specific models and advancing generative AI capabilities.
Accenture aims to assist clients in adopting AI responsibly and achieving new performance levels. The investment builds on the company’s AI expertise and commitment to delivering value to clients through innovative AI solutions and responsible practices.
5. How Employers Can Reduce Mental Health Challenges in the Workplace
U.S. employees are facing increasing mental health challenges tied to their jobs. Research suggests employers can reduce these challenges by implementing human resources approaches like task redistribution and job flexibility.
To lessen the toll work takes on mental health, the research recommends revising job descriptions, proactively training staff on positive behaviors, helping employees build resilience and not assuming employees will speak up.
