Project Report - Covenant House California
Introduction: Ciarra Jones Consulting, LLC, a distinguished consulting firm specializing in creating inclusive workplaces, conducted a transformative workshop titled "Grief and Workplace Inclusion" for Covenant House California. This workshop aimed to address the ongoing impact of various external and systemic factors on employee well-being and inclusion.
Workshop Details:
Objective: To explore and navigate the ongoing grief arising from events such as COVID-19, Israel/Palestine, and global unrest, and to guide workplaces in considering these factors for fostering employee inclusion.
Target Audience: Covenant House California staff and leadership.
Participants: About 30 attendees.
Feedback: Seven employees filled out the feedback form and all respondees rated this talk a 5/5. The organizer noted that this workshop inspired and sparked new conversations that enabled Covenant House to shape its ongoing DEI work.
Notable Feedback
At Covenant House we do heart-opening, transformational work…sometimes that work can be heartbreaking too…Usually those hard seasons center around loss, the loss of a beloved young person, a cherished staff member and even targeted hate towards the special and unique folks we serve that are experiencing homelessness in our communities. Ciarra’s training around grief and loss was what our leadership really needed and might not have known that they needed. She created a safe space, where our staff were able to be vulnerable, share personal experiences where our practices or policies around bereavement left them ‘out’ or left out aspects that might have supported their journey move inclusively. Out of her training, we adopted a new, more inclusive bereavement policy and re-prioritized looking at all of our employee policies and handbook. Ciarra always speaks truth and shines a bright light into any space she is facilitating an opportunity for growth and folks to come together! - Ami Rowland, CEO Chief Program Officer
Content Highlights:
Understanding Ongoing Grief:
Addressed the nuanced and prolonged impact of grief stemming from global events, such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical conflicts like Israel/Palestine, global unrest and more.
Systemic Impact on Inclusion:
Explored how external and systemic factors, including those beyond the workplace, can significantly influence employee well-being and inclusion.
Encouraged participants to consider the broader socio-political context and its impact on individual and collective grief experiences.
Grief as an Equity Lens:
Invited organizations to view grief through an equity lens, recognizing that certain groups may be disproportionately affected by external events.
Emphasized the importance of acknowledging diverse grief experiences and fostering a supportive environment for all employees.
Expanding Organizational Policies:
Urged organizations to consider expanding organizational policies, particularly in areas like bereavement, to address the unique challenges presented by ongoing and collective grief.
Provided insights into developing policies that are responsive to the evolving needs of employees during challenging times.
Implementation Approach:
Safe and Inclusive Space: Created a safe and inclusive space for participants to share their experiences and perspectives on grief.
Interactive Discussions: Facilitated interactive discussions, case studies, and practical exercises to encourage active engagement and learning.
Equity-Centered Approach: Incorporated an equity-centered approach to foster a deeper understanding of the intersectionality of grief and its impact on workplace inclusion.
Outcomes:
Increased Awareness: Participants gained a heightened awareness of the ongoing grief stemming from global events and its potential impact on workplace dynamics.
Equity Considerations: Organizations were encouraged to view grief through an equity lens, fostering a more inclusive and empathetic workplace.
Policy Recommendations: Insights provided prompted discussions around expanding organizational policies, particularly in areas related to bereavement, to better support employees during challenging times.
Conclusion: Ciarra Jones Consulting, LLC's "Grief and Workplace Inclusion" workshop for Covenant House California successfully addressed the ongoing grief associated with global events, offering valuable insights and practical considerations for organizations to enhance employee inclusion and well-being. The workshop's emphasis on an equity lens and policy recommendations reflects a commitment to creating workplaces that prioritize compassion and understanding in times of collective grief.
