City of Cambridge Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: A Workforce Plan for Recruitment, Hiring, and Promotion (RHP) Project
The City of Cambridge selected Working IDEAL to conduct an independent and external multi-method assessment of recruitment, hiring and promotion in the City of Cambridge through a diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) lens. This report on our assessment is one of the major deliverables that represents many months of work. We are working with the City to take this trend analysis report – and particularly our recommendations – to develop a written work plan for strengthening DEI efforts across the City workforce. The City’s goal through the assessment report and work plan is to identify and implement innovative ideas on recruiting, hiring, developing, and promoting a diverse workforce – one that mirrors the people who live and do business in the City of Cambridge.
The project, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: A Workforce Plan for Recruitment, Hiring, and Promotion (RHP) Project, is one of several DEI initiatives that the City is undertaking. According to the City’s Equity and Inclusion program, all Cambridge DEI initiatives are intended to “support the growth, skill-building and development of all City employees, to cultivate an environment which reflects the values of equity and inclusion.” These various initiatives also support the City Council goal that aims to eliminate bias in the City workplace.
Working IDEAL began the RHP Project in a very different environment, and we recognize the challenge inherent in releasing our findings and recommendations now, in the context of the current COVID-19 health crisis. The City and the residents of Cambridge are experiencing unprecedented economic and personal challenges in keeping the community and all of its residents safe. Yet, during a time where so many have lost jobs or are worried about economic security, ensuring that opportunities to work at the City are available to all is more important than ever.
The employment impacts of COVID-19, like the health impacts, fall most heavily on people of color, older workers, and people with disabilities, many of whom are women. Particularly in the context of the pandemic response, we urge the City to move as quickly as possible to implement our recommendations in a sequence and framework that is responsive to the community’s needs. This urgency is magnified by the rising calls for greater racial justice in the City and across the nation, and the need to address systemic biases and barriers in the workplace and the community. Our report identifies ways the City is already engaged in this work and the further work to be done. We hope this can serve as a model to other local governments in this critical time.
The IDEAL Workplace
Working IDEAL provides trusted, effective and innovative advice on inclusive workplaces, diverse talent and fair pay to large and small companies, universities, non-profits, unions and other organizations across the nation.
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