Tuesday, October 13: 9:00am-10:30am
It's not easy, but you can get there: How to have impactful conversations about race in the workplace
- Valerie Oswalt (Executive Vice President and President, Campbell Snacks)
- Elizabeth A. Campbell (Director of Inclusion and Diversity, Campbell Snacks)
- Lisa Cristantiello (Vice President of Human Resources, Campbell Snacks)
There's a saying in academia that inclusive classrooms support the abilities and recognize the possibilities in all students. That sentiment and reality extends to the workplace and corporate America. However, having truly inviting, honest, and productive conversations about race and unconscious bias is challenging. Creating an inclusive culture that harnesses everyone's unique differences to improve business performance sounds great in theory, but is difficult to implement in practice. Building an environment where people are comfortable being their true selves and where everyone can have their voices heard and make an impact requires effort, but, when done right, is worth the investment. This interactive session will showcase the process that the leaders of the Charlotte-based Campbell Snacks used to examine their actions, business practices, and organization to create a roadmap for establishing a more inclusive workplace. The panel will share lessons learned regarding how to create a safe space for people to share their concerns and will share techniques for how to have honest, tough, and productive conversations about race and the workplace. Attendees will learn how to help bring about positive change that will impact their organizations and society and will help create conditions where we all can win.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand how to create a safe, inclusive environment for all employees to voice their opinions, learn, and have open, honest conversations around racial injustice and unconscious bias in the workplace.
- Develop communication skills for participating in difficult conversations around racial injustice and unconscious bias.
- Understand how to break down barriers that perpetuate systemic racism in the workplace.
- Examine strategies for harnessing employees' unique differences to drive strategy and improve business performance.
Wednesday, October 14: 9:00am-10:30am
Surviving and Thriving in the New Normal: The Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health and What We Can Do About It
- Dr. JP Jameson (Professor, Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, Appalachian State University)
The COVID-19 pandemic has ushered in a sea change in the ways we work, play, and live. Though this adversity has revealed great flexibility and resilience in the ways we have adapted our lives to this new reality, it has also exacted a tremendous toll on our collective mental health. Isolation, stress, and a reduced ability to maintain traditional boundaries between our professional lives and our work lives have led to spikes in anxiety, depression, and burnout. In this discussion, we will examine data related to the mental health impact of COVID-19. Additionally, we will discuss strategies for improving self-care, engaging and helping others who might be struggling, and resources that are easy to access and can help with both. Emphasis will be placed on strategies and resources that can be utilized in today's virtual workplace environment.
Learning Objectives
- Critically examine data related to the mental health impact of COVID-19.
- Understand strategies to help improve self-care, engaging and helping others who might be struggling, and what resources are available to help us.
- Identify resources and strategies that can be utilized in today's virtual workplace environment.
Thursday, October 15: 9:00am-10:30am
Misunderstanding and Misinformation: Why is it happening and how to combat it
- Dr. Shawn Bergman (Distinguished Professor, IOHRM faculty; Director of Research, Vela Institute)
- Annie Jankura (Learning Consultant, KeyBank)
There is an overwhelming amount of information cascading online and through the media each day. Unfortunately, it can be hard to distinguish fact from fiction. In organization, misinformation can include rumors regarding hirings, promotions, firings, bonuses, or location openings/closings. Because of this, HR professionals may find themselves in a position where they need to correct misinformation or offer managers guidance on how to correct misinformation. Unfortunately, we can unintentionally reinforce or even spread misinformation while trying to correct it. Given the importance of decisions that need to be made in this time, we need to know how to spot useful information and learn how to open conversations with people who deny, ignore, or outright reject data and science. The session will explore reasons people discount (willfully or unwillingly) facts that conflict with their opinions or points of view, provide tactics HR professionals can use to critically evaluate information, and provide tools that can be used to correct misinformation effectively.
Learning Objectives
- Understand how to distinguish information that is factual from fiction
- Know how to identify information that is useful, valuable, and pertinent
- Apply strategies and techniques for having productive and informative conversations
Friday, October 16: 9:00am-10:30am
The "Workplace" post COVID-19? Exploring the New Normal in Organizations
- Evea Kaldas Stuart (Senior Organizational Development Analyst, HD Supply)
- Stephanie Jeffer (Organizational Development Specialist, Mansfield Energy)
- Jennifer Cline (Head of Workplace Strategy and Execution, TIAA)
- Elma Lloyd (Chief of Staff for the Life and Employee Benefits, Equitable Life Insurance)
- Cynthia Miller (Vice President of Human Resources, Carolina West Wireless)
- Stacey Hussey (Human Resources Manager, Buckeye Fire Equipment Company)
Companies of all sizes, in all industries, and across the globe have been impacted in various capacities by the global pandemic, COVID-19. This panel session will engage attendees in a discussion with professionals from a variety of organizations, working to explore what comes next as we move to a post-COVID world. From examining how recruiting and hiring has been impacted, to what world-place cultural shifts and operating procedures may look like, to identifying where we should focus future skill and competency work, this interactive panel will allow us as HR professionals to process the magnanimous impact of COVID-19 together.
Learning Objectives:
- Develop a greater understanding of the major long-term changes within the business environment due to the COVID-19 pandemic
- Consolidate best practices from multiple organizations and HR professionals for topics such as recruiting, culture, and training in a post COVID-world
- Discover new techniques for approaching revolutionary change within your organization