V.O.I.C.E. COUNCIL CONTINUES TO FOSTER A CULTURE OF CHANGE.
ERC’S V.O.I.C.E Council is proud to celebrate its first anniversary. The V.O.I.C.E. Council’s goal is to lead better discussions, decisions and outcomes for employeees.
The team is comprised of ten ERC employees and one executive sponsor, Kim Howell, SVP of Employee Services. The vision of the V.O.I.C.E. Council is to cultivate and embrace an environment of compassion and acceptance through persistent engagement of the community and ERC’s workforce.
“We are constantly looking at areas or our business where we can make improvements,” said Howell. “We believe this council brings a fresh perspective.”
ERC looked to the V.O.I.C.E. Council to help the organization implement a new hiring process. This program ensures greater inclusion in hiring decisions by identifying unconscious bias and creating action plans to heighten decision-making awareness, while driving upward mobility for internal candidates of varied backgrounds and life circumstances. This training program is a system of eLearning simulations and courses, custom interview design and analytics, enhanced reporting, and custom coaching plans. The council completed and implemented a stand-alone Diversity and Inclusion Policy in ERC’s Employee Handbook.
The council also meets regularly with ERC’s corporate communications team to encourage more transparent communication. The council’s focus in year two is on empowering and mentoring under represented individuals to excel within ERC.
“Our vision for the future is to change the way we look at diversity,” said Al Teel, Employee Support Manager, who leads ERC’s V.O.I.C.E. Council.
ONE YEAR AGO, THE V.O.I.C.E COUNCIL DECIDED TO TAKE AN EVEN STRONGER STANCE ON CONTINUING TO ENCOURAGE EXPANSIVE ACCEPTANCE, GROWTH, AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR EMPLOYEES REGARDLESS OF RACE, GENDER, RELIGION, AGE, SEXUAL IDENTITY, AND ALL OTHER UNIQUE IDENTIFIERS BY ESTABLISHING A DIVERSITY & INCLUSION COUNCIL. THEIR IMPACT HAS BEEN SUBSTANTIAL ACROSS ERC.
DESPITE THE PANDEMIC THEY HOSTED NUMEROUS EVENTS, LIKE THEIR FIRST BOOTH AT ERC’S BODY MIND LIFE EXPO. THE GROUP SUPPORTED JACKSONVILLE BASED AND BLACK OWNED BUSINESS, SOUL FOOD EXPRESS, WITH A V.O.I.C.E. LUNCHEON. THEY PARTNERED WITH BLACK FEMALE OWNED BUSINESS SUGAR KRYSTAL’S, IN WAYCROSS, GEORGIA FOR A DISCOUNTED RATE TO ENHANCE OUR EMPLOYEE PERKS.
Beyond locations where ERC has sites, they provided fifty meals to LGBTQ Youth experiencing homelessness in Denver. During the holiday season they provided meals and toys to internal employees in need.
The council also went above and beyond leading up to the election, successfully supporting the “Get Out and Vote Campaign” amongst ERC employees.
