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Social Impact
Social Impact
Meet the Drones that Clean Waters of Plastic Debris
What is happening? To keep plastic from making its way into the ocean, Dutch company RanMarine operates aquatic drones called WasteSharks that capture plastic in the water and bring it back to land.
Why is this important? Each drone can hold hold 160 litres of trash before retuning to shore.
How will this be important? Once the plastic hits the ocean it breaks into pieces and ultimately microplastics, which are incredible difficult to remove from the ocean
Euronews.green | These drones are swallowing tonnes of plastic waste before it reaches the ocean
Legislating Right to Work from Home
What is happening? The Netherlands is making the right to work from home a legal right.
Why is this important? remote work flexibility has been shown to increase employee morale and productivity.
How will this be important? As more governments codify the importance of remote work flexibility
Funding Challenges of California’s Health Equity and Racial Justice Fund
What is happening? For the 2d year, the California Governor has not included funding for the Health Equity and Racial Justice Fund.
Why is this important? The Health Equity and Racial Justice Fund supports community-based groups, clinics and tribal organizations offering services and programs to address health disparities. The House and Senate agreed on $75 million annually. More than 240 cities, counties, states and health-related associations and departments support the funding.
How will this be important? Critics say it shows the Governor does want to tackle racial issues.
Los Angeles Times | Community groups criticize Newsom for omitting health equity funds
What happens when a company goes from open employee communication to closed?
What is happening? Netflix had a policy that allowed all employees to pose questions to the Chief Executives and to receive open and honest answers. The days of brutal honesty are over after the Dave Chappelle comedy special which became a political and societal lightening rod for appropriate and inappropriate humor.
Why is this important? The issue has been framed as ” where does Netflix draw the line between commentary and hate speech?”
How will this be important? The management philosophy at Netflix had been ” laying out their management philosophy: lead with context, not control; don’t hire brilliant jerks; and, most crucially, always be honest.” Then a pivot to include artistic freedom and ““If you’d find it hard to support our content breadth, Netflix may not be the best place for you.”” More so, what are business headlines saying about Netflix and its growth? Is there a correlation?
California to make Insulin
What is happening? California Governor issued an executive order to have the state producing pharmaceuticals, including insulin.
Why is this important? The state sees this as a way to cut costs, calling the cost of pharmaceuticals a market failure.
How will this be important? Will more states follow suit.
Compostable Mushroom Packaging
What is happening? First mushroom based “leather” and now Ikea will begin using packaging materials made from fungi.
Why is this important? The fungi based packaging materials can break down in your garden within weeks.
How will this be important? Key step to limiting the amount of packaging materials that end up in landfills.
Sustainable Delivery
What is happening? As we see more adoption of EV and drone delivery service, we see UPS double down with four-wheel electric “cargo bikes” that could help in congested cities.
Why is this important? The “trucks ” do not “rumble down the street, emit toxic fumes, or block any traffic. “
How will this be important? The cargo electric bikes are being tested in NYC and European cities. The company calls it a full circle moment since it began as a big messenger.
3rd Annual Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Insights survey
What is happening? The results are in from the 3rd annual CSR survey show that “CSR teams do not have the staff and budget to meet the rising demands and expectations “
Why is this important? let’s check out some key metrics:
- 80% indicated company leadership demands of the CSR function have increased since 2021, representing a continued trend.
- Only 20% believe they have sufficient staff
- Only 25% believe they have sufficient budget
- In greatest demand are more integration with ESG (44%), more data on impact (39%), and more integration with DEI (36%).
- Only 33% consider their leadership’s understanding of CSR strategy to be high
How will this be important? Meeting leadership and stakeholder expectations will require funding. 50% identified a need for greater alignment between business and social goals, 42% seek enhanced ESG expertise on their teams, and 40% seek greater leadership support and buy-in for their work on behalf of the company.
Hawaii: Free Period Products
What is happening? Hawaii Governor signed SB2821 (2022 | HI) that requires all public schools to provide free period products.
Why is this important? “It’s simple. No child should be forced to miss class because they can’t afford period products and need to stay home. Thanks to all who helped make this bill a reality for our kids.”
How will this be important? As some states try to remove taxes on period products, others are offering period products for free.
Is there a reason women are blowing the whistle on bad actors in tech?
What is happening? Women appear to be blowing the whistle on bad practices in Tech at a higher rate than they are employed by tech.
Why is this important? Delving into root causes, the women all reveal corporate practices that “thwart the public interest.” Others point to women being more altruistic, less inclined to accept bribes, are more ethical, and women have been shown to be less corrupt.
How will this be important? Others say its the nature of women being marginalized. “Marginalized people often lack a sense of belonging and inclusion in organizations. The silver lining to this exclusion is that those people may feel less obligated to toe the line when they see wrongdoing.”
What is a plastics credit system?
What is happening? TonToTon has a plastic credit system that “allows companies to take responsibility of the orphan plastics surrounding their products. While companies increase the amount of recycled plastic into their products, they can also take care of the non-recyclable plastics. Once the plastic is collected, we send the waste to be co-processed at cement factories.”
Why is this important? The “cleanest and safest method to get rid of harmful plastic waste in huge quantities“
How will this be important? TonToTon’s “…community waste pickers are trained, have personal protective equipment, access to healthcare, and competitive wages.”
World Economic Forum | How businesses can help address non-recyclable plastic pollution
New Paper: Socially Responsible Divestment
What is happening? A new paper from the Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance discusses socially responsible divestment
Why is this important? In 2006 the UN established its Principles for Responsible Investment and at the time was supported by the signatures of 63 investors managing a total of $6.5 trillion. In 2021 this is now 4,375 investors, representing $121 trillion.
How will this be important? The paper talks bout tilting when an industry that is viewed as irresponsible takes accretive action.
Socially Responsible Divestment | Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance
Meet Sumbittable
What is happening? Submittable just received $47 million in Series C funding funding for its software that helps thousands of organizations worldwide launch, manage, and measure social impact programs
Why is this important? In 2020, 68% of companies increased spending on community investment and 93% allocated more resources for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).
How will this be important? Foundations and the government are also entering the social impact realm. Funding by independent foundations more than doubled to $4.7 billion and the U.S. government funding passed $5.3 trillion in stimulus aid.
Pulse 2.0 | Social Impact Platform Company Submittable Raises $47 Million
Sustainable Supply Chains
What is happening? Sodexo won the Social Impact & Diversity award for its work to end modern day slavery in its supply chains. The award is part of the 2022 Footprint Awards for sustainability excellence.
Why is this important? Sodexo began tackling exploitation in its supply chain in early 2021.
How will this be important? Sodexo simultaneously began working on “Food waste is a key element of Sodexo’s net zero road map and in late 2021 it launched Appetite for Action, a campaign which has provided a powerful platform for it to engage with government and wider stakeholder bodies, while educating audiences on the link between food waste and carbon emissions.”
Looking for Social Impact Higher Education?
What’s happening? Meet the The Center for Social Impact Strategy at the University of Pennsylvania. The School seeks to be accessible and affordable with a mission to make tools and resources for social impact available to anyone, anywhere.
Why is this important? It is a research and action center based in the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Policy & Practice
How will this be important? The programs range from on campus, executive programs, and virtual.
1st U.S. Hotel Captures More Carbon than It Uses
What is happening? Meet Urban Villages, the company that is building, Populous, the first U.S. carbon-positive hotel in Denver, CO.
Why is this important? The builders are using low carbon concrete and investing in reforesting more than 5,000 acres of land to offset the 4,397 metric tons of CO2 the construction will produce.The hotel also eschews parking lots.
How will this be important? Sustainable building that reduce carbon are no longer just for Milan’s living buildings but are being seen as a way to address climate change.
Peak Return to Office Passed
What is happening? Executives calling for complete return to work are abating their calls.
Why is this important? Let’s look at what the chief executive of Intuit, Sasan Goodarzi, said, ““Being prescriptive creates all kind of bureaucracy, because then you have to get management layers involved and it just becomes very rule-based.” Employees aren’t preschoolers.
How will this be important? Companies are adapting like Goldman Sachs that adopted unlimited vacation days. The question is has work culture changed enough in the US that people will use vacation days?
New York Times | A Full Return to the Office? Does ‘Never’ Work for You?
Food for Thought: Taxing Guns
What is happening? Mass shootings are tragic. The tragic loss of life and emotional strife is coupled with economic losses.
Why is this important? This has led some to say we should tax the guns that cause the financial losses, which boils down to military style weapons sold to civilians.
How will this be important? Supporters say our tax system has many examples of taxing the entity that causes the problem- like taxing polluters.
Governing | Why and How States Should Tax Weapons That Massacre Civilians
Election Misinformation Experts
What is happening? Misinformation is a powerful tool. Connecticut is hiring a full-time election misinformation expert to support the state’s election security efforts.
Why is this important? Connecticut hired an election misinformation consultant before the 2020 election and was able to get Twitter to take down a post that claimed a tractor was hauling ballots around.
How will this be important? Misinformation is dominating discussions and is seen as an effective tool by some campaign types.
Governing | Connecticut Plans to Hire Misinformation Election Expert
+1 City Pay Parity Rules
What is happening? Add Albany to the list of governmental entities requiring pay parity disclosures.
Why is this important? Disclosing pay is shown to reduce disparity in pay.
How will this be important? Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) data shows that full-time working women earned just 83 percent of what men made in 2021
Governing | Albany Considers Transparency Law to Help Pay Equity
Let’s Talk About ESG in O&G
What is happening? “Any business looking to expand operations and grow revenue must invest in a robust and complete ESG strategy.” Investors, Consumers, Lenders, Insurers all ask about ESG.
Why is this important? “80 percent of investors now report that ESG considerations are a significant influence in their investment decisions” according to Price Waterhouse Cooper
How will this be important? “ESG programs are helping oil and gas companies retain or grow profits and increase overall demand.” Oil and gas benefits from data, especially unified data model, that creates a holistic ESG view. Think of the BP and Shell calling for less carbon and new partnerships in Harris County that bring oil and gas into carbon storage.
Houston Chronicle | ESG in oil and gas and the economics of data
Company’s Building Workers Houses
What is happening? In what sounds like mid 1900s, company town images, companies in 2022 are building homes for workers when housing supplies are in short supply.
Why is this important? The Wall Street Journal tells us a story of a women in Cactus Texas looking for housing in her price range per her employer. She can’t find anything. So her employer, JBS, stops in. JBS has a program that helps workers build new homes. Disney and medical-devices maker Cook Group are doing the same.
How will this be important? Companies want to attract and retain talent. Helping their employees get into housing of their choice near their work is a win-win.
Impact of Pay Transparency
What is happening? Studies tell us that salary transparency with laws prohibiting companies from asking an applicant about their current or previous pay can narrow the pay gap.
Why is this important? Women and BIPOC persons most often receive low ball offers. Critics say pay transparency lowers men’s salaries and others say the laws encourage less hiring.
How will this be important? 17 states have pay transparency rules. More states are considering pay transparency requirements, and some cities like New York City.
Route Fifty | Pay Transparency Laws Raise Women’s Salaries (and Slightly Lower Men’s)
Resume Gaps are an Opportunity
What is happening? Before we careen off the rails and assume this program is targeted at stay at home moms or dads, let’s realize there are many reasons for resume gaps- long term illnesses, mid career education breaks, moves, etc… Utah is tackling this issue with Return Utah, a state program to attract people with glaring resume gaps.
Why is this important? This is modeled after the private sector. Since 2008 Goldman Sachs has had a return ship program. The Governor of Utah, with insight from Goldman Sachs as Utah built its return to work program, issued Executive Order 2021-8
How will this be important? New Mexico and Washington are watching Utah which has found the program a way to fill state jobs too.
Route Fifty | A State Tries to Attract Public Workers Who Have Resume Gaps
Meet the New C-Suite Officer: CHO
What is happening? Companies are adding a Chief Happiness Officer to keep their employees happy, content, and productive. CHOs are naturally positive people. “The late Zappos Chief Executive Tony Hsieh was famously committed to a fun working environment, and his book, “Delivering Happiness,” prompted other business leaders to give priority to workers’ emotional well-being.”
Why is this important? A CHO listens to employees explain what makes them unhappy, plans events, deals with questions about benefits and payroll but isn’t the HR officer.
How will this be important? The Great Resignation is most a result of employees being unhappy with their employer/employment. If you want to retain employees, you want happy employees.
Composting Changes Lives & Neighborhoods
What is happening? A city kid from the Bronx who didn’t like vegetables turned into an urban farmer and composter extraordinaire. He brought composting and urban gardens to Public Housing in New York City. He called his initiative “Compost Power,” and gave it the slogan “Making Composting Cool.”
Why is this important? In his words…. “For many years, compost has been that evil, stinky upper class thing that white people do,” Mr. Morales said. “But it’s really a great introduction to sustainability as a whole.”
How will this be important? “Composting is the only form of recycling you can do from start to finish and watch your work be put to good use,” Mr. Morales said.
New York Times | The Unlikely Ascent of New York’s Compost Champion
Business: Sports Bar for Women’s Sports
What’s happening? The Sports Bra in Portland, OR is a sports bar that features only women’s sports.
Why is this important? “Ultimately, my mission is to expose as many people as possible to women’s sports, give people access,” the pub’s owner, Jenny Nguyen
How will this be important? Customers tell the pub owner that they “prefer watching women’s sports because female athletes “give 110% all the time.”’
Effect of Leaked Roe v Wade Overturn Opinion
What is happening? California Governor is proposing $75 million in state funding to support abortion services.
Why is this important? Included in this funding will be reproductive health care for persons without private insurance but not Medicaid qualified, public eduction campaigns, creating a website that lists abortion services across the state, & research into “unmet needs.”
How will this be important? States are positioning themselves to be safe havens for people who want reproductive healthcare.
AP | California governor backs plan to pay for some abortions
New App will Address Unsolicited Dick Pics
What is happening? A partnership in Sweden will help enforcement actions against people who send unsolicited dick pics.
Why is this important? The start up behind it includes lawyers, sociologists, PR professionals and more.
How will this be important? The app may just be the missing link between laws against unsolicited pics and enforcement.
Should transit agency boards reflect the population?
What is happening? A recent study of transit agencies across 11 cities found that transit boards do not reflect people who ride bus, subway or rail. “Too often members are old, white and male and don’t use transit much or at all.”
Why is this important? “In New York, 88 percent of riders live in the city but only 18 percent of board seats go to their representatives. In Philadelphia, 71 percent of riders are urban residents but they only get 13 percent of board seats.”
How will this be important? AS doe Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: ” Of the 11 cities covered, nonwhite residents comprised 63 percent of ridership but only 36 percent of boardmembers. Women were just 30 percent of boardmembership while making up a little over half of ridership.”
Governing | There’s a Big Difference Between Transit Boards and Riders
Diversity in Home Ownership
What is happening? In 2020, the number of home owners increased. Overall homeownership rose in 2020 to 65.5% but fell to 43% for Black home owners
Why is this important? 2020 was the largest annual increase on record
How will this be important? In 2010 Black home ownership was 44%. In contrast current home ownership rates are white (72.1%), Asian (61.7%) and Hispanic (51.1%) To address this racial homeownership gap, National Association of Realtors, the NAACP, the National Urban League, and other are working with the Black Homeownership Collaborative to improve home ownership diversity
Route Fifty | Black Homeownership Declines as Overall Rate Rises
New Nashville Library Card: I Read Banned Books
What is happening? Nashville Public Library’s Freedom to Read campaign includes allowing Nashvillians to turn in their library cards for library cards that read: “I read banned books.”
Why is this important? The Library acted in direct response to a member of the Tennessee Legislature suggesting that banned books should be burned.
How will this be important? As a gut check- there are books about what happens when you ban books. But burning books act the stake…. uh, what?
1st US Pizza Company Set ESG Standards for Incentive Pay
What is happening? Pappa Johns is the 1st US pizza company to require that corporate incentive bonus plan now includes an ESG metrics
Why is this important? For Pappa Johns that means “enhance diversity, equity and inclusion, assess environmental impacts and opportunities and further Papa John’s commitment to Better Ingredients. Better Pizza.”
How will this be important? Environmental impacts include donating surplus meals and limiting waste.
Environment + Energy Leader | Papa John’s Announces ESG Metric for Incentive Compensation
GM Asks Suppliers to Sign ESG Pledge
What is happening? GM is asking its global suppliers to sign an ESG pledge. This pledge is an expansion of GM’s goal “to establish a collaborative supply chain that endeavors to minimize environmental impact and enhance long-term sustainability. “
Why is this important? Gm has 3 goals for suppliers. (1) to commit to carbon neutrality (2) the development of social responsibility programs (3) implementation of sustainable procurement practices
How will this be important? For checks and balances, Gm will utilize a 3rd party assessor, EcoVadis. Eco Vadis evaluates how well a company integrates the principles of sustainability and corporate social responsibility into their business and management system.
Energy + Environment Leader | General Motors Asks Suppliers to Sign ESG Pledge
When Legislators Get Parental Leave
What is happening? Colorado may be the 1st state to grant its legislators parental leave. SB22-184 (2022 | CO) has no fiscal impact.
Why is this important? Colorado legislators describe their state as pioneering. IN 2020 a statewide initiative passed for medical and family leave in Colorado but did not apply to legislators.
How will this be important? It is said as Legislatures gain younger members and more women, these types of proposals will become more common. The Center for American Women and Politics says that as women make up 30% of elected officials. State Houses are seen as unwelcoming to women and people from marginalized communities.
COVID Downturn Hit Women Owned Business More.
What is happening? A working paper from academics in France, Los Angeles, Canada and the Brookings Institute shows that women owned business were more adversely impacted by the pandemic with losses of more than 3% and closing for 17% longer.
Why is this important? Researchers say that containment policies skewed and increased women’s family responsibilities more than they did for men.
How will this be important? Takeaway for policy makers is to aim to improve economic recovery with special attention to the needs of women enterprises
Route Fifty | Women-owned Businesses More Adversely Impacted By Pandemic
States Most Accepting of LGBTQ+ Residents
What is happening? Money.co.uk ranked U.S. states on LGBTQ+ acceptance by looking at “how difficult it is to change the gender marker on a birth certificate and driving license, the level of state support for LGBTQ+ adults who have started or wish to start a family, work safety records, the percentage of adults age18 or older who identify as LGBTQ+ and the percentage of LGBTQ+ adults over 25 years old raising children.”
Why is this important? The Top 10 states are Hawaii, Maine, Vermont, California, Minnesota, Oregon, New Mexico, Colorado and New York. The Top 5 cities are San Francisco, Boston, Seattle, Los Angeles and Chicago.
How will this be important? There’s a strong geographical marker in that most of the Top 20 states are coastal.
1 in 7 Bosses Are Abusive
What is happening? Employee surveys show the 1 in 7 say their boss is hostile. This abuse/hostility ranges from lying or not giving credit for work to insults or ridicule.
Why is this important? Managers who blame employees for poor outcomes are statically more likely to be abusive. It is estimated that this causes losses of up to $24 billion a year in lost productivity.
How will this be important? Researchers found that perceptual errors on part of the managers are the problem. The more perceptual errors a manager makes abut an employee, the more hostile and abusive they are.
Saks Goes ESG
What is happening? Saks, the department store chain, announced its first senior vice president of environmental, social, and governance- Cara Chacon.
Why is this important? Chacon says ““Within the fashion industry, there remains a greater opportunity for Saks to play a role in making a positive environmental and social impact.”
How will this be important? As a bigger picture, the Saks CEO says ““Bolstering our ESG efforts will enable us to make an even more positive impact on our industry and communities. “
Fashion United | Saks appoints first senior vice president of ESG
How much waste can be diverted at a stadium?
What is happening? Austin’s MLS Stadium, Q2, diverted 71% of its waste during the stadiums first year.
Why is this important? Sustainability is part of the ethos in Austin.
How will this be important? It is important to talk about sustainability efforts. Be proud of your work.
Happy Employees Don’t Follow Do as I say, Not as I do Bosses
What’s happening? Turns out those bosses wanting people back in the office 5 days a week, well, the bosses aren’t showing up 5 days a week.
Why is this important? Employees are noticing and it is not sitting well.
How will this be important? Employees not happy with their lack of flexibility are 3 times more likely to look for another job.
Bubbly. Carbon Neutral Bubbly.
What is happening? Champagne Drappier became the first Champagne estate to be carbon neutral.
Why is this important? To Michel Drappier, ““Going natural, ecological, organic, was the only way to keep our planet a good place to live,”
How will this be important? On the family champagne estate, it is all about saving the grapes, and this they believe is their part to save the grapes
Barrons | Good Company: Champagne Drappier, France’s Carbon Neutral Pioneer
Workplace Wellness. No Meeting Days.
What’s happening? Adam Grant, Wharton School, professor focusing on organizational psychology, tells us companies are reserving 1 day a week where no meetings can take place
Why is this important? 76 companies tested it & saw satisfaction and productivity increase. Communication and cooperation improved.
How will this be important? Happy employees are loyal and productive thereby leading to increased earnings.
Numbers Behind Corporate Giving & CSR
What is happening? companies with a good CSR rating have returns 19% higher
Why is this important? 59% of consumers say businesses have a responsibility to social good.
How will this be important? 52% of UK Business Owners say that it adds value to their business. 47% see financial performance improve 33% see a positive business reputation improvement & 27% say they see operational savings
Fintech & Finance News | The Power of Giving Back: Why Corporate Social Responsibility matters
COVID EFFECT. Gallup Poll. Employee Wellness & Hybrid Working
What is happening? 42% of employees have a hybrid schedule. 39% worked exclusively from home. As for their long term work goals, 53% expect a hybrid arrangement and 24% expect to work exclusively remotely.
Why is this important? 54% will look for other jobs if they don’t have a remote work option.
How will this be important? Workers reported the following reasons for supporting the hybrid work model:
- Avoiding commutes
- Better overall wellbeing
- Flexibility to balance other obligations
- Still have the option to work in-person with co-workers
- Allows for feeling both more productive and still connected to organization
Rute Fifty | Easing the Transition to a Long-term Hybrid Workplace
Vetoes: Transgender Sports Bill
What’s happening? IN, UT and now KY Governors have vetoed their state’s transgender sports ban legislation.
Why is this important? In KY, the Republican legislature passed the bill and the Democrat Governor vetoed it because the bill does not treat all student athletes equally for equal protection purposes.
How will this be important? IN 2021, LA, ND and KS Governors also vetoed the legislation.
COVID EFFECT. Research: ESG out performs with lower costs
What’s happening? European Securities and Markets Authority research shows that “were overall cheaper than non-ESG peers, while their performance reflected the strong performance of specific sectors since the Covid-19 crisis.”
Why is this important? Because old adage be damned… this isn’t true: investors must sacrifice profits for purpose
How will this be important? Dig down and find… ” impact funds performed better than other ESG strategies and funds with sustainable investment as [an] objective performed better in net terms… than those promoting environmental or social characteristics despite slightly higher costs,”
Music Industry Diversity Inclusion Oopsy Daisy
What is happening? A study by USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative has Rolling Stone calling the music industry a “sausage fest”
Why is this important? In 2021, 23.3% of artists, 4.4%of songwriters, and just 3.9% of producers for the biggest tracks were women. “On average for the decade, 12.7 percent of songwriters, 2.8 percent of producers, and 21.8 percent of artists behind the year-end Hot 100 were women.”
How will this be important? While gender equity has not increased, racial equity has improved. ” 57% of artists on the 2021 Hot 100 year-end chart coming from underrepresented racial groups compared to just more than 38 % in 2012.”
Rollingstone | The Music Industry Is a Sausage Fest, and This Study Proves It
New NFL Diversity Hiring Committee
What is happening? The NFL has created a committee to review its diversity hiring practices.
Why is this important? The NFL determined there is a lack of diversity, or the lack of diversity was brought to the NFL’s attention. Tomato/to-mah-to Either way the NFL has a committee. People know about the committee and its report will be public. The committee members include business leaders, academics, and former Houston Texans GM Rick Smith.
How will this be important? In addition to improving diversity, equity and inclusion, teams will now be required to hire a minority coach as an offensive assistant. The 32 teams signed a letter agreeing to diverse ownership too.
Body Composting
What is happening? In 2021, Colorado legalized human body composting. It is a green alternative to burial.
Why is this important? The natural funeral involved 6 months of preparation in a wooden box with wood chips, alfalfa and straw. The first Natural Funeral in Colorado involved then mixing in wildflower seeds and scattering the human compost and seeds.
How will this be important? in 2019, Washington State passed a law supporting human composting.
9 News | Remains of first person in Colorado to undergo body composting laid out
Faster Medical Care by Drone
What is happening? Sweden is deploying drones to offer fast medical care before ambulances can arrive. For example, a drone quickly delivered a defibrillator and walked through how to use it on a patient in need. It has been saving lives.
Why is this important? Sweden was the first country in the world to deploy drones when ambulances are called. Drones are dispatched in 60 seconds and don’t get stuck in traffic.
How will this be important? The only thing a bystander has to do is attach pads to the patient, and the remote operator gauges response, heart rate and necessary defibrillation.
GoodGoodGood | In Sweden, Drones are Beating Ambulances to the Scene — and Saving Lives
Move Over Mushroom Leather. Meet Apple Leather
What is happening? Vegan leather, mushroom leather, and now apple leather. Apple leather is made from repurposing the cores and skins.
Why is this important? Vegan leather is 100% polyurethane & requires fossil fuels
How will this be important? Apple leather cuts the plastic to 40-50% & can eliminate food waste as the cores and skins come from the juice making process.
Hot fact: “Ninety-nine percent of real leather is made from byproducts of the food industry. It’s a symbiotic relationship,”
Fast Company | Why apple leather is the latest vegan trend in luxury bags and shoes
Women Executives Save $1.43 M per 1000 employees
What is happening? The Great Resignation isn’t happening as intently in companies with women leaders it seems. Because women leaders tend to build happier and more engaged teams.
Why is this important? According to the Potential Project, women lead with compassionate wisdom.
How will this be important? This is showing up in governments too. Look at the pandemic. Countries led by women had the quickest and most effective health responses.
Fast Company | The secret to women’s leadership that can drive such a positive impact
Study: ESG Impact on Brands
What is happening? a study from NAVEX, the risk and compliance management software company, found that 83% of executives say they strongly or somewhat agree their brand’s reputation is affected by ESG efforts.
Why is this important? 51% will increase their ESG spending in 2022
How will this be important? ESG investing had increased to $649 billion worldwide in 2021, up from $542 billion in 2020 and $285 billion in 2019.
Environment + Energy Leader | ESG Reporting, Investing Remain Significant Priorities for Businesses
Prioritizing Social Responsibility
What is happening? A survey by PNC Institutional Asset Management revealed that 94% of corporate and non-profit executives say social responsibility is here to stay
Why is this important? 92% of corporate and nonprofit executives prioritize social responsibility. 91% are optimistic that the growth in ESG investing can have a positive influence on corporate behavior.
How will this be important? ESG investing as increasingly important and it is “critical that these investment opportunities are fully vetted and indeed aligned with their own values”
What does the wage gap look like cross states?
What is happening? The US Census Bureau released a report on the gender pay gap in the US
Why is this important? Wyoming has the highest wage gap at $21,676; and Vermont has the lowest at $4,600. Texas gender wage gap is $10,552.
The other big gap states:
- Utah—$17,303
- Washington D.C. (state equivalent)—$16,032
- Louisiana—$14,926
- North Dakota—$13,950
- New Jersey—$13,434
- Oklahoma—$13,302
- Massachusetts—$13,217
- Illinois—$12,997
- Alabama—$12,738
The smaller gender wage gap states:
- Nevada—$6,013
- Hawaii—$7,022
- California—$7,162
- Florida—$7,705
- Maryland—$7,594
- North Carolina—$8,247
- Arizona—$8,452
- Rhode Island—$8,473
- New York—$8,821
How will this be important? Gender wage gap discrepancies remain.
Route Fifty | The States With the Highest and Lowest Wage Gaps
Licensing Benefits Women and Minorities
What is happening? States are pushing to downgrade professional licensing requirements.
Why is this important? The license narrows the gender-driven wage gap
How will this be important? The Alliance for Responsible Professional Licensing says that licensing increases wages by 6.5%. Women and minorities in job fields requiring advanced education and training benefit from licensing. More than 70% believe we need to regulate professionals in accounting, engineering, architecture, landscape architecture and related fields with high impact on the public’s health, safety and welfare
Governing | The Dangerous Push to Downgrade Professional Licensing
COVID & BLM Effect. 30% Increase in Black Owned Businesses
What is happening? Pandemic and Black Lives Matter are both seen as fostering the growth of Black owned businesses which are up 30% since before the pandemic.
Why is this important? Most of the growth in Black owned businesses is driven by Black women.
How will this be important? Black businesses grew because owners banded together to share information about grants, PPP loans, and means of pivoting to address consumer needs.
NPR | Black business ownership is higher than pre-pandemic. Women are driving that growth
Fresh Pay Equity Data in California
What is happening? A few years ago, California created the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing. SB973. This bill requires companies with more than 100 employees to report pay data.
Why is this important? California is the first state to collect this data. The first year of data collection revealed:
- 36% of top earners are women
- 64% of top earners are men
- 55% of the lowest wages are paid to women
- 45% of the lowest wages are paid to men
- In the Bay Area, 2/3 of top earners were men
- In the Bay Area women made up 1/3 of top earners
- Hispanic, Latino people, and Black people were overly represented at the lowest pay levels
How will this be important? Women are more likely to be in a job that is administrative, sales, and service; while men are more likely to be executives.
Governing | Gender and Racial Pay Gaps Persist Among California Companies
Bonjour Kind Travel
What is happening? Travel company, Kind Travel, a woman and veteran owned travel company, surveyed travelers and found 96% want their travel dollars to make a positive impact in the places that they visit.
Why is this important? 48% said “the greatest challenge in trying to travel sustainably is finding accommodations that are both “sustainable and socially conscious.” 37% of travelers say the biggest challenge is to reduce of eliminate their carbon footprint.
How will this be important? “As of 2022, Kind Traveler works with hotels and tourism boards in 22 countries and 100-plus charities worldwide.”
NFL Shows Us Why DEI Needs Data and Accountability
What is happening? The NFL has the Rooney Rule, which may be seen as well intentioned, required the interviewing of candidates of color for open NFL positions. There’s now a lawsuit.
Why is this important? Other groups also followed suits with their own, potentially well intentioned rules, about interviewing diverse candidates. According to Harvard Business Review, there is statistically no chance of a diverse hire if only 1 person of color or 1 woman is interviews. However, statistics increase if people of color or women are interviewed for the same position.
How will this be important? The odds of a diverse hire didn’t increase a little if people of color or 2 women were hired- the odds went up like this: ” the odds of hiring a woman were 79.14 times greater, and the odds of hiring a person of color were 193.72 times greater.”
Harvard Business Review | DEI Initiatives Are Futile Without Accountability
COVID Effect. Land O’Lakes Broadband Rollout
What is happening? Land O’Lakes, the dairy company, supports free, public Wi-Fi at 3,000 locations in 49 states, and funded the American Connection Corps that works with communities to bridge the digital divide.
Why is this important? The wifi program began as a project during the pandemic to help rural people work from home.
How will this be important? Bringing wifi access to rural America took on new importance during the pandemic and with this program looks to be here to stay.
Fast Company | The 10 most innovative companies in corporate social responsibility of 2022
University Housing Homeless in Park
What is happening? UC Berkeley began a program to house the unsheltered of People’s Park. The Univeristy is partnering with the City of Berkeley and nonprofit collaborators to operate a converted motel and offer meals and social services
Why is this important? The program will allow the University to build needed student housing on part of the park land while maintaining 60% of the 2,8 acre park. The city will pay the costs of the lease and nonprofit services for 12 months with a $4.7-million state grant. UC Berkeley has committed $2.2 million to cover the last six months.
How will this be important? UC Berkeley is encouraging other universities to do something similar.
Russia Effect. More EU Countries Moving Renewable Policies Forward
What’s happening? EU Countries are avoiding Russian oil like vampires avoid garlic, wooden stakes and Holy water.
Why is this important? An energy analyst is referring to this as “the biggest stimulus to the rollout of renewables that the continent has ever had”
How will this be important? In 2021, Russia account for 45% of gas imports into Europe. Hence the move to renewables as EU countries move away from Russia.
2nd State Bans Declawing
What is happening? Maryland is the 2nd state to prohibit the declawing of cats
Why is this important? IN 019 New York passed a statewide bans. Other bans on declaring are local and have been passed in Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, San Francisco and Denver.
How will this be important? Welcome to the cat lobby.
Got a List. Checking It Twice.
What’s happening? Companies are ceasing operations and business with Russia over its invasion of the Ukraine.
Why is this important? Let’s find a list of companies ceasing business with Russia:
- Volkswagen
- Ikea
- Spotify
- H&M
- SAP
- Oracle
- Apple
- Netflix paused productions and acquisitions
- FIFA stopped Russian teams from competition
- Honda
- Google removed the apps for RT and Sputnik
- Dell Exxon Mobile
- Boeing
- Roku
- Nike
- Ford
- Snap
- BMW
- Mercedes Benz
- Meta executives said Tuesday posts from Russian state media are no longer being recommended
- DirecTV no longer offering of RT America
- Maersk
- Adidas
- YouTube on Tuesday blocked channels operated by Russian-state-funded outlets Russia Today and Sputnik News
- Mastercard blocks a number of Russian financial institutions targeted by sanctions from their networks
- Visa blocks a number of Russian financial institutions targeted by sanctions from their networks
- Walt Disney Company pauses theatrical releases in Russia
- Shell divesting from Gazprom
- Twitter will label tweets that share information from Russian state media accounts
- AirBnB free, short-term housing for 100,000 refugees
- Etsy canceling all balances owed to the company by sellers in Ukraine
- BP divested a stake in Russian oil company Rosneft
- Verizon waived residential and mobile call fees to and from Ukraine
- McKinsey will no longer serve any government entity in Russia
How will this be important? First time I can recall a global call for divestment from a country.
No DEI = Repeating Bad Mistakes
What’s happening? RStreet Institute tweeted “A homogenous workforce is also more susceptible to groupthink.”
Why is this important? They point to an MIT study that says not only do groups that all look alike make bad decisions, they replicate bad decisions.
How will this be important? The question boils down to- do you have DEI and outperform or do you shirk DEI and make bad decisions….
DEI = Financial Outperformance
What’s happening? Numbers from McKinsey say if 30% of a business’ executives are women has a 48% likelihood to outperform. If your business is in the top 25% for diversity, outperformance likelihood is 36%. The big picture: DEI leads to better investment returns, improved business strategies and stronger organizations as a whole.
Why is this important? Businesses with low diversity numbers are are more likely to underperform their national industry median in profitability, at 40%
How will this be important? Let’s watch these 3 industries that they say have the highest levels of executive-team diversity: financial services, technology, and healthcare.
Route Fifty | Making DEI the Cornerstone of the Public Finance Workforce |
Improving Diversity Equity and Inclusion
What is happening? Everyday a new entity names a new high-level position for diversity equity and inclusion. They all have big tasks ahead of them. So, how do they get to it?
Why is this important? To advance DEI, we need to get comfortable with being uncomfortable so that people can share their experiences freely. Second, we need representation in CSuites and on corporate boards that reflect diversity, equity and inclusion. Finally, we need to build personal relationships with employees and stakeholders.
How will this be important? 2021 saw the most diverse S&P 500 Board class. 47% of all new board members were from historically excluded racial or ethnic groups.
World Economic Forum | 3 ways to advance corporate diversity, equity and inclusion
Study: Men and Women See ESG Differently
What is happening? A study by the Danske Invest sought to determine how men and women feel about ESG investments.
Why is this important? 23% of men thought ESG had a negative impact on investments. 10% of women held the same opinion.
How will this be important? According to Danske Bank, “Investing in ESG shouldn’t entail choosing between sustainability and returns”
Bloomberg Equality | Male Investors More Skeptical of ESG Than Women in New Study
Kraft Heinz Reducing Virgin Plastic
What’s happening? After “shareholder pressure” Kraft Heinz will be setting goals to reduce its virgin plastic use.
Why is this important? Kraft Heinz says sustainable packaging has been in the company’s ESG plan for the past 2 years.
How will this be important? As You Sow is working with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme to reduce the use of plastic packaging.
Plastics News | Kraft Heinz agrees to cut virgin plastic use in packaging
COVID Effect. 4.8% Productivity Boost for WFH
What is happening? Researchers say working from home (WFH) at least 1 days a week increases productivity by at least 4.8%
Why is this important? Not only is it work flexibility, but a reduction in commuting time, a metric not previously considered by economists.
How will this be important? Researchers say the increase in productivity is expected to be long lived.
COVID Effect. Employee Retention.
What is happening? 52% of employees who left their jobs say management could have done something to retain them
Why is this important? A Gallup report says managers could do 5 things to retain employees:
- Connect With Employees
- Be an Empathetic, Reliable Resource
- Empower Managers to Empower Employees
- Provide Recognition and Encouragement
- Offer Career Opportunities
How will this be important? Weed out the narcissistic bullies fast.
Gallup | 5 Ways Managers Can Stop Employee Turnover
Route Fifty | How Managers Can Significantly Reduce Employee Turnover
Carbon Labeled Products
What is happening? Tesco has begun labeling its product with carbon footprint and gave up in 2012. But technology emerged to make calculation of carbon foot print easier.
Why is this important? 75% of millennial alter their buying habits based on climate issues
How will this be important? A study in the EU shows that a carbon label increase purchase probability. A US study showed that consumers are willing to pay a premium for a smaller carbon footprint for fruits.
Sustainable Brands | Will Carbon-Labeled Products Sell More? Here’s What We Know
First Mushroom Leather, Now Dandelion Rubber. Sustainability Future.
What is happening? Cole Haan released a shoe with a sole made from at least 25% dandelion based rubber, 21% recycled content vegan microfiber suede, felt from 85% recycled plastic bottles, and laces made from 100% recycled plastic bottles
Why is this important? It is the company;s first sustainable shoe
How will this be important? Wait and see how the company adds to its sustainable products to meet the modern economy
Outdoor Retailers Boycott Expo in Utah
What is happening? Retailers REI, Patagonia, Timberland, North Face, and Public Lands are boycotting the Outdoor Retailer Tradeshow if it is moved to Utah because of Utah’s attacks on public lands.
Why is this important? It is a response to the reduction of the size of national monuments like Bears Ears under the Trump Administration. Those federal protections have been restored but the state continues an attack on public lands.
How will this be important? Outdoor Retailer Senior VP: “Our chief goal is to host a vibrant event that not only reflects today’s new normal, but also presents an engaging event that draws as many as possible into this community in ways that are authentic and affordable.”
Retail Dive | Patagonia, REI, Public Lands threaten to boycott Outdoor Retailer trade show
Meet the Anthem Awards
What is happening? The Anthem Awards were created to honor individuals and organizations for their social impact work.
Why is this important? Award recipients can be brands, organizations and individuals. Jessica Lauretti, managing director of the Anthem Awards said, “We launched this platform to show the world that all corners of our culture, from sports and entertainment, to business leaders and celebrities, are all standing up to say, it is time for systemic change and that social good is what we value as a society.”
How will this be important? We can see a full list of award recipients here: https://www.anthemawards.com/winners/
Variety | ‘Insecure’ Star Jay Ellis to Host Inaugural Anthem Awards for Social Impact (EXCLUSIVE)
The Crows Have Cigarette Butts
What is happening?The Keep Sweden Tidy Foundation says that more than 1 billion cigarette butts left on Sweden’s streets each year. That’s 62% of all litter. Södertälje spends 20m Swedish kronor (£1.6m) on street cleaning.
Why is this important? Corvid Cleaning has trained crows to pick up and collect cigarette butts, potentially saving 75% cost of litter clean up.
How will this be important? The crows have the potential to pick up other tasks as they are said to the have the brain function of 7 year old humans.
The Guardian | Swedish firm deploys crows to pick up cigarette butts
Identifying Inequity and the Supermarket
What’s happening? Researchers focused on nutrition epidemiology ponder the responsibility of markets to market equitably. For instance a market resplendent in fresh vegetables and ethically sources meat and dairy is a stark contrast to a market that bombards customers at eye level immediately with processed food choices.
Why is this important? “There’s a lot of racism, to be honest, I think, behind these decisions, whether it’s unconscious or implicit,” said Andrea Richardson, a policy researcher focused on nutrition epidemiology at the Rand Corp. and professor at the Pardee Rand Graduate School.
How will this be important? Non-profit programs, like Fresh Connect, have emerged that allow medical professionals to prescribe fresh fruits and vegetables with a stipend card.
Route Fifty | What Does It Say About Your Neighborhood If the Supermarket Isn’t So Super?
Education Agency Division of School Desegregation
What is happening? New Jersey legislature is considering SB 820 (2022 | NJ) that would create the Division of School Desegregation
Why is this important? The goal will be to “identify instances in which students are functionally, though not legally, segregated along racial and socioeconomic lines, and “to ensure better integration and a more diverse enrollment in public schools,”
How will this be important? The division will accumulate and analyze student data to identify better integration.
PBS | N.J. lawmakers (again) push bills to study reparations, school desegregation
How to avoid the Great Resignation
What’s happening? President and special counsel to the CEO of Comcast on diversity, equity, and inclusion, Steve White advises if you want to avoid the great resignation in your company, pay people fairly.
Why is this important? He also stresses to focus on on the end result but on exceptional work, and having a company purpose that gives employees energy and purpose. Pay attention to his words here: “If your company needs special programs to promote diversity and inclusion, you’re already in bad shape. Those programs are needed because someone identified that the leadership team is not doing the essential things to make a team feel wanted.”
How will this be important? This isn’t ok, we’re fair. We don’t have to do more. In today’s information exchange, people are always watching.
Forbes | The real key to avoiding the Great Resignation is paying people fairly, expert says
+ Belgium to No AfterHours Work
What’s happening? Federal workers in Belgium can no longer be required to answer work related emails or phone calls after hours.
Why is this important? Countries like Portugal and Belgium and some corporate entities are supporting a “right to disconnect”
How will this be important? There are exceptions for exceptional and unforeseen circumstances
Fiduciary Duty to Donors?
What’s happening? A philanthropic thought experiment, should donor relations professionals have a fiduciary duty of loyalty and care to the original donor or donors.
Why is this important? The same is said for grant awards, in that the foundation awarding a grant should be ware if any of their staff also serves on the boards of grant recipients
How will this be important? Some say philanthropic foundations should follow the same rules that financial advisors have to comply with.
Route Fifty | Should Philanthropic Advisors Have a Version of Fiduciary Duty to Donors?
Brandy & Broccoli. Change Package Store Rules?
What is happening? Colorado is c considering SB33 (2022 | CO) that would permit liquor stores to sell more fresh (minimally processed) foods.
Why is this important? The bill’s goal is to lessen the impact of food deserts, areas where fresh food is not readily available or is inaccessibly priced. Leading to this article’s amazing quote: “pick up both brandy and broccoli, whiskey and watermelon, and scotch and salmon. “
How will this be important? if it works, this is genius.
Colorado Sun | Could liquor stores be a solution to Colorado’s food deserts?
+1 4 Day Work Week Pilot
What is happening? 30 companies in the UK are going to embark on a 6month journey into a 4 day work week.
Why is this important? Staff will work 32 hours per week while leaving their compensation and benefits unchanged.
How will this be important? Similar programs are set to start in the U.S. and Ireland, with more planned for Canada, Australia and New Zealand. It is said that the work during the 4 day work week is more productive which is good for the business and good for the employee.
Paid Family Leave (for men too)
What is happening? Growing support for Paid Family Leave for men with the support of Alexis Ohanian.
Why is this important? “#PaidFamilyLeave (especially when men are capable of taking it) will change lives. It’s good for families, good for business, and good for society.”
How will this be important? According to Ohanian more and more “wildly successful” Dads are talking about paid family leave.
COVID Effect. Impact of WFH. Is it like the internet was in 1997?
What’s happening? In 1997 no one knew what to expect of the internet. So goes the analogy in this article comparing the pandemic effects to the effects the internet would have. For now these people agree that working from home will remain the course.
Why is this important? WFH, remote work impacts:
- where workers live: maybe not the same state or city as their employer
- greater worker ratification is reported
- greater work-life balance
- 30% of workers applying for jobs on LinkedIn are applying for remote work
- an economist says: “benefit smaller metropolitan areas that have sufficient housing for remote workers and don’t have as many large companies with big office footprint”
How will this be important? As more business feel that productivity and work product is not harmed, and may be helped, by working from home, the future is being formed today.
Oregon Live via Governing | In Oregon, Remote Workers Come and Go as Pandemic Continues
For the Gourmands: Sustainable Turbot
What is happening? We now have the world’s first sustainable turbot farm with certification from Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) Flatfish Standard
Why is this important? Certification requires “limiting environmental impacts such as minimising chemical use and maintaining high water quality, as well as acting in a socially responsible way by providing workers with a safe and fair working environment, and treating neighbours and local communities with respect.”
How will this be important? when there is one, there are sure to be more to follow
Fish Farmer | Dutch turbot farmer is first to achieve flatfish certification
Public Private Fund for Equity in Cannabis
What is happening? The Governor of New York is creating a $200 million public-private fund to support social equity in the state’s upcoming marijuana market. Including “goal of issuing at least 50 percent of cannabis business licenses to social equity applicants, including people from communities disproportionately impacted by criminalization, distressed farmers and women- and veterans-owned companies. Hochul says the newly announced fund will help New York achieve that goal.”
Why is this important? Much talk about the big companies keeping the little companies out of marijuana markets in other states because of high licensing fees and banking challenges.
How will this be important? Overcoming inequities in participants is a talking point for every industry.
How to write a COVID Sports Event Cancellation
What’s happening? The International Ice Hockey Federation canceled/postponed its U18 ice hockey tournament.
Why is this important? The IIHF statement concerning the cancellation included a statement disavowing accusations that the IIHF supports mens hockey more than women hockey. The IIHF denies this and vowed to host events to ensure the continuation of the women hockey program.
How will this be important? We will see more of these statements.
State Fashion Sustainability Laws
What’s happening? NY is considering AB8352 (2022 | NY), the Fashion sustainability and social accountability act. According to the BBC, “the fashion industry accounts for about 10% of global carbon emissions and nearly 20% of wastewater.”
Why is this important? N Y would become the first state to require all fashion brands to disclose their climate and social impact. It would apply to any brand that has more than $100 million in revenues and does business in New York.
How will this be important? In addition to wage reporting it would require transparency for fashion supply chains.
Route Fifty | One State’s ‘Moral Responsibility’ to Make Apparel More Sustainable
COVID Effect. WFH impact on Diversity.
What’s happening? Some business minds say, but don’t put numbers to that I’ve seen, that the employees who prefer to work from home are women and those in minority groups.
Why is this important? These same minds say because these workers are more likely to work from home on a hybrid schedule their 1950s minded bosses won’t promote them. I propose that these minority groups prefer out of the office work because they know they are treated differently so why subject themselves to it. Pot and kettle and all.
How will this be important? The numbers say employees want hybrid work. Consumers and Investors want diversity. To quote Letterkenny- Figure it out.
COVID Effect. Cost of Living Stipends for Artists.
What is happening? Ireland is considering cost of living stipends for artists.
Why is this important? The policy goal is to ensure that art (music, film, stage, visual, painters, sculptures, etc…) will continue to be produced through the pandemic.
How will this be important? The art sector of the Irish economy has been hit 5 times harder, but has provided art that has helped the country endure the pandemic.
Closing Wage Gap with Local Ordinances.
What is happening? NYC is considering requiring all job postings to list salary ranges in an effort to close the wage gap.
Why is this important? It comes from a female Councilmember who in the 1980s learned of the salary of a male colleague in the same position of hers who was making roughly $12,000 more than she was. He told his employer he had a family to take care of, and was paid more.
How will this be important? This mindset continues today.
Open Patents.
What is happening? Back int he day when Swedish automaker Volvo developed the 3 point seat belt, Volvo intentionally allowed anyone to use the patent for free.
Why is this important? The company ‘s position is that it had more value in saving lives than the company’s profits.
How will this be important? Volvo made this decision in 1959 and the company still exists.
Economists: Workers Work More When They Work Remotely
What is happening? Economists with the University of Oregon say data shows that remote workers worked more weekend and after hours time than pre-pandemic.
Why is this important? The shift may signal slightly longer work weeks, but in reality it likely reflects using daylight hours for outdoor activities or errands, and shifting work to the evening.
How will this be important? There is a new normal and this is part of it. 5 days a week in an office is antiquated.
San Francisco Chronicle via Governing | Data Reveals How the Pandemic Has Changed Work Schedules
Would a Different Board Change Thernos?
What is happening? Time is proposing that Thernos could have had a different story had the board of directors not been white men of a certain age. The thinking is that younger and more diverse board would have been more willing to call out concerning practices before it rose to the level of perceived fraud.
Why is this important? A New York Times article this week says 6 in 10 board members are still white men because most board recruiters use recommendations from executives which is a circle of white men of a certain age and their friends who are also white men of a certain age.
How will this be important? Diversity could have changed the Thernos storyline
Time | One Lesson From the Theranos Scandal: We Need Age Diversity on Corporate Boards
NY Times | Board Diversity Increased in 2021. Some Ask What Took So Long.
Green Washing Risk
What is happening? Research at the Univeristy of Delaware shows that companies that engage in greenwashing, making themselves look like good corporate citizens when they are not, are at a great risk for being hacked.
Why is this important? Actions matter. people are watching. Charitable donations or recycling isn’t enough.
How will this be important? Companies with core values that include diversity, eco-friendly products, and examples of socially responsible practices are flying in clearer skies. This includes keeping your employees happy.
Insurance Journal | Corporations That Fake Social Responsibility at Greater Risk of Cyber Attacks
COVID Effect on Employment
What is happening? Portugal has a new law that prevents employers from contacting employees during their time off
Why is this important? The goal of the legislation is to protect the work life balance and improve the mental health of employees. Companies can be fined for violations and companies are prohibited from monitoring employees who are working from home.
How will this be important? We see the same in US headlines and business news. Work place cues are being set by employees. Under the new law in Portugal employees can work from home at anytime without notice. As I read over the break- employment isn’t about managing people it is about managing work product. Let people make their own responsible decisions.
Commerical Food Donation Legislation
What’s happening? In 2016 California passed SB 1383 (2016 | CA) that will require grocery stores to donate eligible foods to food rescue organizations and food banks.
Why is this important? The goal of the California legislation is to reduce methane emissions from landfills.
How will this be important? This is an excellent example of nonlinear solutions whereby donations to food banks are increased and emissions reduced.
CBS8 | New law expected to bring increase in San Diego food donations
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