Community Engagement, Public Policy and Philanthropy

It’s important to take stands and have hard conversations, but truly centering dignity means connecting with local communities and responding to urgencies that affect workers. When what’s presented externally and what employees experience internally are misaligned, trust breaks down and dignity is harmed.

Why community engagement and philanthropic decision-making are connected to workplace dignity

Taking stands that show awareness (in social media, public statements, rethinking advertising, or political spending), and having hard conversations (such as in the context of external crises) are important. However, really driving change and centering dignity comes through sustained action that connects with and supports local communities, and responds to urgencies that affect the lives of workers, while critically thinking about the systems that directly affect a workforce, especially when the rights of employees and communities in which organizations operate are under threat. Where there is misalignment between what’s presented externally and what employees feel internally, trust breaks and dignity suffers.

“Every time we turn our heads the other way when we see the law flouted, when we tolerate what we know to be wrong, when we close our eyes and ears to the corrupt because we are too busy or too frightened, when we fail to speak up and speak out, we strike a blow against freedom and decency and justice.” - Robert F Kennedy

The key organizational functions that play a role

  • Operations

  • Events

  • Community affairs/foundation/philanthropy

  • Communications teams

  • Policy/legal

  • Executive/senior leadership teams

  • Inclusion and diversity teams

What the organization can do: Actions

1. Deepen dignity intention around community, public policy, and social justice issues.

2. Approach philanthropic decision-making and engagement with a workplace dignity focus

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