#Inclusive hiring practices

[verysaladobservation]

Unlocking Success: The Benefits of Outsourcing HR Recruitment for Healthcare Firms

In the rapidly evolving healthcare industry, where acquiring top talent is crucial for organizational prosperity, companies increasingly rely on HR outsourcing to streamline recruitment procedures and secure a competitive advantage. By partnering with recruitment firms, healthcare organizations can leverage expertise, resources, and strategic insights to build robust teams that drive innovation, improve patient care, and foster a culture of excellence. In this article, we delve into why businesses in the healthcare sector should consider outsourcing HR recruitment and how it can lead to sustainable growth and success.

1. Access to Specialized Expertise

Acquiring top-tier talent within the healthcare sector demands a comprehensive grasp of its distinctive challenges, regulations, and skill prerequisites. Healthcare entities can harness expertise and insight by entrusting HR recruitment to specialized firms with domain proficiency. These recruitment agencies boast dedicated teams of professionals adept in the nuances of healthcare staffing, encompassing the sourcing of qualified candidates and navigating credentialing protocols and compliance standards.

2. Strategic Hiring and Recruitment Strategy

Effective talent acquisition is more than just filling vacant positions—strategically aligning recruitment efforts with organizational goals and long-term objectives. Recruitment firms employ strategic hiring practices and develop tailored recruitment strategies designed to attract candidates who possess the requisite skills and qualifications and align with the company's mission, values, and culture.

By partnering with a recruitment agency, healthcare firms can benefit from strategic talent acquisition solutions that prioritize long-term success and organizational sustainability. From identifying emerging talent trends to implementing innovative recruitment techniques, these firms assist healthcare organizations in maintaining a competitive edge and constructing high-performing teams that propel business expansion.

3. Inclusive Hiring Practices and Diversity and Inclusion

In today's diverse and multicultural society, encouraging inclusivity and diversity in the workplace is not just a moral imperative but also essential for organizational success—it's also a strategic business imperative. Recruitment firms specializing in healthcare understand the importance of inclusive hiring practices and are dedicated to assisting organizations in constructing diverse and inclusive teams that mirror the communities they serve.

By outsourcing HR recruitment to agencies prioritizing diversity and inclusion, healthcare firms can tap into a more extensive talent pool and attract candidates from underrepresented backgrounds. These recruitment firms employ proactive strategies to mitigate bias in the hiring process, promote equal opportunities, and foster an environment of belonging where each employee feels appreciated and respected.

4. Cost Savings and Efficiency

Recruiting and hiring new employees can consume significant time and resources, especially for healthcare organizations with stringent hiring requirements and high turnover rates. By outsourcing HR recruitment, businesses can realize significant cost savings and operational efficiencies.

Recruitment firms leverage their networks, technology, and streamlined processes to source, screen, and onboard candidates more efficiently, reducing filling time and minimizing recruitment-related expenses. Additionally, by outsourcing recruitment functions, healthcare organizations can allocate internal resources more efficiently, allowing them to concentrate on core business activities like patient care and service delivery.

5. Flexibility and Scalability

Organizational staffing needs can fluctuate in the ever-changing healthcare sector based on patient demand, regulatory changes, and market trends. Outsourcing HR recruitment provides healthcare firms the flexibility and scalability to adapt to changing workforce requirements quickly.

Recruitment agencies offer scalable solutions that can be tailored to meet healthcare organizations' specific needs and budgetary constraints, whether seeking to fill a single position or ramp up hiring for a large-scale expansion project. This flexibility allows businesses to scale their recruitment efforts up or down as needed, ensuring agility and responsiveness in a competitive market landscape.

6. Enhanced Candidate Experience

A favorable candidate experience is vital for attracting and retaining top talent in the healthcare sector. Recruitment firms prioritize delivering candidates a smooth and tailored experience from initial contact to onboarding.

By outsourcing HR recruitment, healthcare organizations can ensure that candidates receive timely communication, valuable feedback, and a transparent view of the recruitment process. This enhances the employer's brand and reputation, making it more likely for top candidates to accept job offers and become long-term contributors to the organization's success.

Conclusion

In conclusion, delegating HR recruitment to specialized firms provides numerous advantages for healthcare organizations aiming to attract and retain top talent. From accessing specialized expertise and strategic hiring practices to promoting diversity and inclusion and realizing cost savings, outsourcing recruitment functions can be a game-changer for businesses looking to build high-performing teams and drive sustainable growth. By collaborating with recruitment agencies that comprehend the distinct requirements and obstacles of the healthcare sector, organizations can gain a competitive advantage and position themselves for success in an ever-changing market environment.

[constructionsafetynetwork]

Embracing Diversity and Inclusion in the Construction Field

The construction industry, historically known for its homogeneity, is increasingly recognizing the importance of diversity and inclusion in the construction field. This article explores why incorporating a diverse workforce and inclusive practices is not only a moral imperative but also a strategic advantage. We will delve into the benefits, challenges, and strategies for fostering diversity and…

[ourjobagency]

 Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace: Why it Matters

In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, the significance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace cannot be overstated. Companies worldwide are recognizing that fostering a diverse and inclusive environment isn't just a moral imperative; it's a strategic advantage. In this blog, we will delve into why diversity and inclusion matter in the workplace and how they contribute to a thriving and innovative corporate culture.

1. Fostering Innovation and Creativity:

Diverse teams bring together individuals with different perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences. This diversity of thought fuels innovation by encouraging fresh ideas and unique problem-solving approaches. When employees from various backgrounds collaborate, they can create solutions that may not have been possible in a homogenous group. This innovation can give companies a competitive edge in a constantly changing market.

2. Better Decision-Making:

A diverse workforce enhances the quality of decision-making. When diverse teams come together, they bring a broader range of insights and viewpoints to the table. This diversity helps in evaluating options more thoroughly, reducing the risk of groupthink, and arriving at more well-rounded decisions that consider various perspectives.

3. Attracting Top Talent:

A commitment to diversity and inclusion can be a powerful magnet for top talent. Prospective employees, especially the younger generation, value workplaces that reflect their values and embrace diversity. Organizations that actively promote diversity are more likely to attract a diverse pool of candidates, ensuring access to the best talent available.

4. Increased Employee Engagement:

Inclusive workplaces foster a sense of belonging among employees. When individuals feel valued and respected, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated in their work. High levels of employee engagement are linked to increased productivity and lower turnover rates.

5. Better Customer Understanding:

A diverse workforce is better equipped to understand and serve a diverse customer base. Companies that reflect the diversity of their customers can better cater to their needs, leading to improved customer satisfaction and loyalty.

6. Legal and Ethical Considerations:

There are legal and ethical obligations associated with diversity and inclusion. Many countries have enacted laws and regulations to promote equal opportunities and prevent discrimination in the workplace. Organizations that fail to prioritize diversity may face legal consequences and damage to their reputation.

7. Enhancing Reputation:

A commitment to diversity and inclusion can significantly boost an organization's reputation. Companies known for their inclusive practices tend to receive positive media coverage and public recognition. A strong reputation can attract customers, investors, and partners who want to associate with socially responsible organizations.

8. Reflecting Global Markets:

In today's globalized economy, businesses often operate in diverse markets. Having a diverse workforce that reflects the diversity of these markets can be a strategic advantage in understanding and connecting with customers and partners worldwide.

9. Driving Profitability:

Studies have shown that companies with diverse leadership teams tend to be more profitable. McKinsey's "Diversity Matters" report found that companies in the top quartile for gender and ethnic diversity were more likely to outperform their peers in terms of profitability.

In conclusion, diversity and inclusion in the workplace are not just buzzwords; they are essential components of a successful and forward-thinking organization. Embracing diversity and fostering an inclusive culture can lead to greater innovation, better decision-making, increased employee engagement, and enhanced reputation. By recognizing the value of diversity and taking concrete steps to promote inclusion, businesses can position themselves for long-term success in an increasingly diverse and interconnected world.

[kobeniliker]

Conservatives: We need more fossil fuels because we need to create more jobs!!!

Also Conservatives: We should be able to fire anyone we don't like and legalize workplace harassment.

[the-potato-beeper]

i've got an interview today! it's just to see if i'll do this job as an undergrad baby-TA again next semester, so i'm not too worried. it'll only be 15 minutes, and i've been fine with the job this semester

[sanchoyo]

interview in an hour send good vibes besties 🥺

[firstoccupier]

Examining the Truth Behind the Aviation Tragedy and Presidential Response

Recently, a tragic collision occurred near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, involving a commercial aircraft and a military helicopter. This catastrophic event led to the loss of lives, leaving American families grieving, and brought aviation safety into sharp focus. In response, President Donald J. Trump issued a memorandum addressing the incident and outlining his views on the…

[genderkoolaid]

In Los Angeles, one of the queerest cities in the United States, there are surprisingly few spaces where trans masculine individuals can find solidarity and community. For some, trying to fit into queer spaces after transitioning can be an isolating experience once they start to pass as men. “In general, people can’t necessarily look at me and know that I’m trans,” says Devyn Payne, jumping rope outside to warm up ahead of his match. It’s now different for him to enter LGBTQ+ rooms where lesbians might read him as a straight man or gay men might not recognize him as trans. “Passing as a Black man, my experience has been different in sapphic spaces ... I don’t necessarily feel welcomed [anymore].” The 27-year-old used to wrestle competitively in high school, but three years after coming out as trans he is now rediscovering his joy in the sport and reconnecting with the queer community in a different way — tonight by wrestling another trans man in a neon green jock strap under the alter ego “T-Payne.”

“Before I went to my first Trans Dudes of LA event, I had no trans men friends,” Payne says. “I can’t necessarily relate to [cisgender men]. So it’s great to have people who I can talk about the changes of being on testosterone.” [...] In this room full of transgender people, the weight of a gender binary disappears. Masculinity becomes play material, a performance to bend and break. People dressed for the part exude “Brokeback Mountain” homo-eroticism, another pair act out a construction worker role-play in a BDSM scene in which a plastic hammer is shoved in the mouth. Cal Dobbs, dressed for the part as a judge for the tournament, wears a white wig reminiscent of the founding fathers and a thong under his black robes. (“RBG, classic sex symbol,” Dobbs explained of his costume inspiration from the late Supreme Court Justice.) “Trans men and trans masculine people are redefining masculinity,” says the 27-year-old, who was the first trans person to run across the transcontinental United States. “[Wrestling] is a hyper masculine sport, [but the competitors] bring an element of humor and romance and cuteness to it that makes everyone feel really comfy and safe.” [...] In the weeks leading up to the big performance, Elías Naranjo and Arón Sánchez-Vidal had practiced their wrestling routine weekly for a month, familiarizing themselves with consent and boundaries to make sure they wouldn’t hurt each other. “I was asking them, ‘Is it OK if we kiss? Is it OK if I pick you up and grind on you?’ And he was like, ‘Yeah, I’m open to it,’ ” says Naranjo. But on the spot the two also decided to improvise as Sánchez-Vidal took his testosterone shot on the wrestling mat — a moment met with thunderous applause. The two entered the ring waving Mexican and Peruvian flags dressed as vaqueros. “EL VAQUERO... STR8 4 PAY?” read a sign that Sánchez-Vidal’s girlfriend had made to cheer on her partner. “There’s so much in being brown and trans and queer,” says Naranjo. “We want to show up and take up space ... we’re Peruvian, hot and trans.” The two won best partners, splitting a $150 cash prize at the end of the tournament. Inclusiveness was on the forefront of co-organizers Miller and Bandrowski’s minds as they planned this event. They prepped over 200 hot dogs to feed their hungry fans, a hot and heavy playlist to rally their attendees, and hired ASL interpreters to make the event accessible for deaf members of the queer community. This was their biggest event yet.

[truthdogg]

There’s clearly a lot of debate around DEI today, with Trump banning it from being a consideration in the federal government, and places like Target & McDonald’s scrapping their DEI programs. Because of how so many people are reacting to this, I’d love to see what DEI programs are like at other companies. It’s nothing like affirmative action.

At the Fortune 500 company where I work, it’s a big part of competitiveness & management training. The focus is on making the best teams with all sorts of people, & how to learn from them to serve customers better and build a competitive edge.

Our DEI courses are straightforward; they primarily teach us to examine our own biases. Those biases could be against black women, white men or people with uncontrollable hair, but the point is to get the best talent, and to get the most out of that talent by listening to them, making them welcome, and by being aware of different needs. The stance is that Diversity follows from Equity & Inclusion, and that all three create better business outcomes.

There are essentially no such thing as a “DEI hires,” so I’m always a bit confused by the use of that term. They’re just hires. We’re simply required to consider candidates equally, to follow the law, and to hire whichever candidate we think will meet the company’s needs the best.

That’s it. DEI is a responsible business practice, but it’s not much more than that.

[achilles-rage]

achilles-rage’s twelve days of christmas

day seven: santa tell me (ft. eddie diaz)

summary: bringing your best-friend-turned-fake-boyfriend eddie to your work christmas party to prove a point after a coworker says something rude to you.

word count: 3.1k

series masterlist

a/n: so sorry to all the debra’s out there, i didn’t mean it<3 i love the idea of this so much, so i hope i did it justice!! enjoy<3

warnings: alluding to body shaming from coworker, no use of y/n, fem!reader, plus size!reader, race inclusive!reader

You try to be the person at work that everyone likes. You never start arguments with anyone, you listen to everyone’s ideas, and if someone does disagree with you, you try to talk it out calmly.

All that aside, there’s one woman at work that you just can’t fucking stand.

Debra started working with you a few months ago, and despite your best efforts, she still tried to put you down every single change she got. Even her name is annoying. Debra.

Today is like most others when you’re working together, and it’s been extra infuriating because she keeps going on and on about her new hot, rich boyfriend. 

“Are you gonna be at the Christmas party on Thursday night?” Debra asks as you walk into the break room. You look between her and Matteo; another one of your coworkers, before putting on a fake smile.

“Of course. Wouldn’t miss it.” Debra nods, then directs her attention to you as you refill your coffee mug, her body now angled towards you instead of Matteo.

“I was just telling Matteo that my boyfriend is gonna be there. You’ll all finally get to meet him. He’s so excited to meet all my friends.” she beams, and you hum softly, nodding. With your back turned toward the coffee maker, you roll your eyes, but before you turn back to look at Debra and Matteo, you put your fake smile back on.

“That’s great. I’m happy for you.” you tell her, and you sort of mean it. Sure, she’s a complete nightmare, but she doesn’t deserve to be alone, you guess.

Apparently, you let your dislike for her slip, just for a moment, because after your words hit her ears, she smiles fakely. Her eyes trail down your body slowly, then dart back up to meet your gaze, and she tilts her head to the side.

“Don’t worry. You’ll find someone,” another trail down your body, “someday.”

Your smile drops from your face, and you blink slowly as you take in her words. You’re not sure what to say. You’re not even sure that she actually just fucking said that. 

You don’t dare break eye contact, and when you see the quirk of her eyebrow, you can tell that she’s begging you to react.

“Thanks, Debra. That’s sweet of you.” is all you say before you turn on your heel, walking quickly out of the breakroom and back to your desk.

Poor Matteo, he has no idea what to do. He just looks at Debra, giving her a quick smile as he excuses himself back to his desk.

You sit down at your desk with a loud huff. The fucking nerve of her, you think, and it’s not even like you can prove her wrong. You’re painfully single. 

It’s not from your lack of trying either, it’s just that apparently the men you choose to give your time to don’t care.

“And then she said, ‘you’ll find someone, someday.’” you practically yell, throwing your hands up in anger. Eddie scowls, his eyes narrowing at your words. 

You’ve been friends with Eddie for years, and he’s always the person you go to with your problems. He’s a great listener, and sometimes he actually gives you good advice. 

“Are you serious?” he says in disbelief. The furrow of his brows gets deeper when you confirm what she said, and he scoffs, rolling his eyes.

He’s not even sure what to say. You’re perfect; that’s the only word he can think of to describe you most accurately. Of course there’s other words; pretty, sweet, smart, kind, but perfect does a better job at describing just how good you are.

“And now I get to see her stupid smug face all night on Thursday when I show up without a date. Wonder if I can hire someone off craigslist.” you say with a sigh, your tone turning slightly joking. 

He’s silent for a moment, leaning back on his couch and taking a sip of his beer as he thinks it over.

“I’ll be your date.” he says after a moment, not even looking at you. He stares straight ahead of him, but he can see the way your eyes widen, and you look over at him with your jaw slack.

“What?” you say, butterflies filling your belly at the thought of him being your date. Of actually wanting to be your date. 

You’ve always thought Eddie was attractive, but when you actually got to know him, it was impossible not to fall in love with him. You’re too afraid to actually tell him that, though. He’s your best friend. How awkward would it be if he didn’t feel the same? “I’ll be your fake date; pretend we’re dating. Get her to lay off you.” he says with a shrug, finally turning his head to look at you.

You swallow, nodding after a second with a small smile.

Right, a fake date.

“You’d do that?” you ask sheepishly. Even if the idea of it being a fake date makes your heart clench in your chest, a dull pain settling in your chest as you mull it over, you figure you can still pretend he likes you back. Just for one night.

“Of course. You’re my best friend.” Another stab to the chest. 

You keep the smile on your face, nodding quickly.

“Thank you. You have no idea how much that’ll piss Debra off.” you say with a laugh, trying to numb the pain in your chest. You take a big swig of beer, then lean back further into the couch, as if wishing it would just suck you up and take away the gaping feeling in your chest.

It’s almost 7:00 when you get to Eddie’s house; it took you a while to decide on makeup and shoes, and now you’re running late.

You knock on his door hurriedly, shivering as the cool night air hits your bare legs. You take this time to look down at your outfit one more time, smoothing your hands over the dark green fabric of your dress and letting the small sparkles scrape across your skin.

Your head snaps up when the door opens in front of you, and your breath catches in your throat when you take in the sight of Eddie in his black suit. You notice that the tie he’s wearing is a similar colour to your dress, and you smile, finally realizing why he asked you what you were wearing a few days ago.

“Look at you all dressed up.” you say in a teasing tone, unable to come up with anything else. 

Eddie doesn’t respond for a second, too busy trailing his eyes down your plush figure in your dress. He can see the gentle outline of your soft tummy, and the dip in the neckline makes him struggle to fight back a groan.

“You look beautiful,” he begins, finally looking into your eyes. “Debra’s gonna eat her words.” he tries to backtrack, hoping he didn’t just completely fuck himself over and expose his feelings for you.

“Thanks, but we actually have to get there for her to do that.” you tell him, urging him out the door.

“Let me grab my keys.” he murmurs, beginning to turn, but you’re quick to stop him.

“I’m already forcing you to be my date, you don’t have to drive too.” you say with a laugh. He shakes his head, waving you off quickly.

“I’ll drive. If I know you, you’ll need a few drinks to deal with her all night, anyway.” he teases, and you laugh, shrugging in agreement.

“Yeah, you’re probably right. Thanks.”

On the way to your party, you come up with your relationship timeline, just in case Debra asks. Since he hadn’t met anyone at your work, you figure it would be better to not include that you were friends first. You don’t want to give her any sort of ammunition, and you can already hear her shrill voice in the breakroom tomorrow saying something about it taking a long time for someone to fall for you.

When you’re finally there, Eddie holds his arm out for you, and you loop your own through his, feeling butterflies in your tummy as he leads you through the front doors.

You’re surprised at how fancy the place is; surprised that your company actually bothered to spend any amount of money on a holiday party. 

You both walk over to the bar, slowing down to say a quick greeting to some of your coworkers on the way. When you get there, he orders your drinks for you while you keep an eye out for Debra, trying desperately to ignore that when you took your arm from Eddie’s, he placed his hand on the small of your back.

You still haven’t seen her over a half hour later, but Eddie’s grip on you never holds up. If his arm isn’t looped with yours, his hand is on your back, or his arm is around your waist and his hand is on your hip, squeezing every now and then as you speak to various coworkers.

Everyone seems to love Eddie, too, which you’re not surprised about, but it still warms your heart nonetheless. You can’t wait for Debra to hear your coworkers talking about your handsome, firefighter boyfriend tomorrow.

Almost an hour later, you’re back at the bar for a refill, Eddie having switched to soda after his first drink. You’re taking a sip of your drink, standing in front of Eddie and practically between his legs as he leans his back against the bar, when he suddenly pulls you closer to him by your hips and begins to gently sway you both side to side.

“She’s here.” he whispers in your ear with a smile plastered onto his face; just in case Debra looks over and sees him. 

Of course she shows up ‘fashionably late” to the party, you think, she just wants everyone to see her grand entrance.

He has no idea what Debra even looks like, but it’s not hard to realize that the woman who just walked in is definitely her. He can hear her shrill voice from his spot at the bar, and the way she looked around the crowd when she walked in made it clear to him that she was looking for everyone to notice her.

You almost choke on your drink when he pulls you to his chest, and one of your hands goes up to his shoulder, keeping yourself steady in your heels as he sways you back and forth in time with the music.

“What do I do?” you say, all the things you had thought about doing now in the wind when you actually need them.

“Just look pretty.” he whispers, then brings one hand up to the side of your neck. He leans in impossibly closer, and you feel goosebumps erupting on your skin as his hot breath hits your neck.

“She’s looking.” he says, letting out a soft chuckle to really play it up. You swallow, tilting your head back to laugh along with him, hoping she can see just how close he’s holding you.

You’re in luck, because a minute later, you hear her call your name. “You brought a date? I didn’t think you had one.” she says as you turn in Eddie’s grip and begin to walk toward her. Eddie follows you, keeping a hand firmly on your hip as he stands beside you. You give her a big, smug smile, tilting your head towards Eddie.

“Debra, this is my boyfriend. Eddie.” is all you say, looking over at him, as if making sure for one final time that he’s okay with this.

“Nice to meet you.” he says as he outstretches his hand. Debra laughs incredulously, but shakes his hand. You don’t miss how her eyes trail down his body, no doubt taking in his muscular form. Your smile widens at her clear disbelief, and the dull pain in your chest from knowing that this is completely fake fades at the satisfaction of rendering her speechless for once.

“Well, this is my boyfriend, Max. He’s a lawyer.” she finally says, grabbing the man’s arm and pulling him closer to her. 

He’s attractive, you’ll admit, but he’s nothing compared to Eddie. He’s slightly taller, but not as muscular, and Eddie is much more handsome than him.

Max shakes your hand, and then Eddie’s, and then Debra speaks again.

“And, what is it you do?” she asks Eddie.

“I’m a firefighter-paramedic with the LAFD.” he tells her with a smirk, squeezing your hip a couple times. You lean into him, tilting your head up to look at him, and with your attention temporarily on Eddie, you don’t see that Debra does not like this act of PDA.

“How…noble.” she tells him, and you scoff under your breath, looking away for a moment before you finally snap back.

“He was in the army. Got a Silver Star for saving his troop mates from a helicopter crash.” you tell her. You try to keep your tone happy and relaxed, but Eddie can sense the edge in your voice. He leans in to whisper in your ear, using two of his fingers to tilt your chin up.

“How about you get us some new drinks?” he whispers. He has absolutely no problem playing this fucked-up game with Debra, and he can tell that you need a break already.

You nod with a small smile, then excuse yourself, walking back over to the bar while trying to keep your eye on Eddie.

You know he can hold his own, but you also know Debra. She has a special way of getting on your nerves and making you see red.

When you finally get your refills, you make your way back, but when you hear the conversation between Eddie and Debra, you stop in your place, listening intently.

“What do you mean?” Eddie asks, confusion and a hint of anger in his voice.

“I’m just saying that she didn’t tell anyone she was bringing a date. When I told her about Max, she didn’t say anything about you.” Debra replies, her voice calm and nonchalant, even though her brows were narrowed accusatorily.

“She’s a pretty private person. She doesn't like flaunting her personal life at work.” he replies, matching her tone. You can see the slight downturn of his lips from your spot, and butterflies fill your tummy as you think about him actually defending you.

Debra opens her mouth to respond, but before she can say a word, Eddie begins again, his voice getting slightly louder.

“I don’t know what’s so hard to believe about this. She’s gorgeous, and smart, and sweet, and a lot nicer than you seem to be. I’m lucky to be here with her.” he says sternly, and then he turns and walks away from Debra, intent on getting the last word in and stunning her to silence. 

His eyes set on you as soon as he turns, and he closes the distance between you two, grabbing your hips quickly and pulling you against him. He rests his forehead against your chest, feeling white hot anger flooding his body at Debra’s insistence that you shouldn’t have a date. 

He inhales your scent, your mere presence helping to slow his heartbeat, and his grip on your hips helping to ground him.

You tilt your head back, letting him rest against you for a minute as he calms himself down. You desperately want to run your fingers through his hair, but your frigid fingers gripping the two chilled glasses tightly stops you from doing so.

When he finally lifts his head and looks down at you, you tilt your head to the side, your anger for Debra now completely triumphed by your appreciation for Eddie.

“Did you mean it?” you whisper, looking up at him with wide eyes.

“Mean what?” he asks, tilting his head the same way as yours. The urge to cup your cheek becomes too overwhelming for him to resist, and he raises his hand, running a thumb across your warm skin. He mustn’t have known you were listening, you think.

“All the stuff you said.” you clarify, your eyes searching his desperately.

He chuckles softly, his eyes softening at the timid way you speak.

“Of course I meant it. How could I not mean it?” he tells you, leaning his face down closer to yours.

You try to fight back the smile, but after a second, the smile erupts onto your face, brightening up your face and making your face scrunch up in joy.

He doesn’t miss the way your eyes dart down to his lips. It’s only for half of a second, but he catches it. Without thinking any further, he pushes his lips to yours, sighing into the kiss as he feels you melt into his arms.

The kiss starts off slow, like neither of you can believe this is finally happening, but it quickly becomes deeper and more passionate. 

His hands move from your hips to your back, pulling you flush against him, and then he lifts one hand up to your jaw, tilting your head up into the kiss just that little bit more.

You’re so lost in the kiss that you don’t notice Debra watching with a scowl, no doubt pissed off that she was proven wrong. You finally have to force yourself away from him when his tongue tries to slip past your lips, still having half a mind to remember where you are.

“Should we get out of here? We probably shouldn’t be doing this here; I’m still technically at work.” you say in a teasing voice, beaming up at him as he rests his forehead against yours.

“I’ve been wanting to drag you out of here all night. If it were up to me, I would’ve taken you to bed as soon as I opened my front door and saw you in that dress.” he rasps, giving your nose a soft kiss.

“Yeah, you like it?” you whisper. Truthfully, you picked it out with him in mind. You secretly hoped that he’d love it as much as he seemed to.

“You have no idea.” he tells you earnestly, then grabs the drinks from your hands and sets them on a nearby table before taking your hand and drags you out to his car. You giggle the whole way, unable to believe what’s happening.

Who knew that fake dating for your work Christmas party would end in you having a real boyfriend?

notes: likes/comments/reblogs would be much appreciated if you liked this<33

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[democracyunderground]

President Trump on Tuesday revoked a decades-old executive order that strengthened protections against workplace discrimination.

Why it matters: Trump's desire to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in the federal government's employment practices could set the tone for private companies nationwide to do the same.

Trump's executive order targeting DEI practices undid a whole host of previous orders that sought to prohibit discrimination in the workplace. Among the landmark pieces of legislation were anti-discrimination rules enacted by President Lyndon Johnson in the Civil Rights era.

What is the Equal Employment Opportunity Act?

Signed by Johnson in 1965, Executive Order 11246, mandated government contractors to give equal opportunity to people of color and women in recruitment, hiring, training and other employment practices.

It prohibited employment discrimination and called on federal contractors to take affirmative action to ensure employees are treated equally, "without regard to their race, creed, color, or national origin."

Johnson signed the act just a year after signing the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Congress later expanded on the executive order in the Equal Opportunity Employment Act of 1972, increasing the number of employees covered by the workplace protections and requiring state and local governments to follow the rules outlined.

What does Trump's executive order say?

Trump's expansive executive order states that "Executive Order 11246 of September 24, 1965 ... is hereby revoked."

The executive order claims that both the private and public sectors "have adopted and actively use dangerous, demeaning, and immoral race- and sex-based preferences," and that these DEI practices "can violate the civil-rights laws of this Nation."

It noted that federal contractors could continue complying with the act for the next 90 days.

Caveat: Trump's executive order targets the Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), which enforces Executive Order 11246.

It orders the OFCCP to "immediately cease" promoting diversity, holding federal contractors and subcontractors responsible for affirmative action practices, and "allowing or encouraging" those same entities "to engage in workforce balancing" on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, religion and nation of origin.

What's been the response?

Trump's executive order has already sparked outcry from civil rights leaders and advocacy groups.

"Diversity, equity, and inclusion are aligned with American values," National Urban League president Marc H. Morial told Axios. "They are about uniting us, not dividing us. Efforts to paint DEI as a preference program are nothing more than campaigns of smear and distortion."

Judy Conti, government affairs director of the National Employment Law Project, slammed Trump's executive order in a statement Wednesday.

"This is not a return to so-called 'meritocracy.' Rather, it's an attempt to return to the days when people of color, women, and other marginalized people lacked the tools to ensure that they were evaluated on their merits," Conti said.

[verysaladobservation]

Strategic Hiring: The Crucial Role of Recruiting Firms in Building Inclusive Cultures

In the ever-changing terrain of contemporary workplaces, where the significance of diversity and inclusion transcends mere trendy expressions, the function of a recruiting firm has transformed into a strategic alliance that surpasses traditional hiring methods. This article delves into the multifaceted ways recruiting firms contribute to companies' success by identifying candidates who possess the necessary skills and align with the organization's values, fostering a positive and inclusive workplace culture.

Understanding the Shifting Paradigm of Talent Acquisition:

The traditional approach to talent acquisition, focusing solely on qualifications and experience, is undergoing a significant shift. As organizations recognize the benefits of a diverse and inclusive workforce, there is a growing emphasis on strategic hiring practices. With their expertise in talent acquisition, recruiting firms play a pivotal role in navigating this changing paradigm, aligning their strategies with the evolving needs of companies.

Tailoring Recruitment Strategies for Diversity and Inclusion:

Recruiting firms operate as strategic partners, tailoring their recruitment strategies to address their client's unique needs and goals. In the realm of diversity and inclusion, this involves developing targeted plans that actively seek out candidates from various backgrounds. By collaborating closely with the hiring company, recruiting firms ensure that the candidate pool reflects a diversity of perspectives, fostering creativity, innovation, and overall organizational success.

Cultural Alignment: Beyond Skills and Qualifications:

While skills and qualifications are undoubtedly crucial, a more nuanced approach to hiring considers cultural alignment a key factor. A recruiting firm stands out in pinpointing candidates who have the necessary skills and resonate with the company's values, mission, and overall workplace culture. This holistic evaluation ensures that candidates contribute positively to the workplace atmosphere, reinforcing a sense of belonging and shared purpose.

Inclusive Hiring Practices for Enhanced Performance:

Inclusive hiring practices are integral to creating an environment where employees feel valued and supported. Recruiting firms actively seek candidates who not only bring diversity but also contribute to the creation of an inclusive workplace. By focusing on hiring individuals with varied perspectives, backgrounds, and skill sets, these firms help organizations build teams that are adaptable, resilient, and capable of navigating the challenges of a rapidly evolving business landscape.

Strategic Talent Mapping: A Comprehensive Approach to Hiring:

Recruiting firms employ strategic talent mapping as a proactive approach to identifying potential candidates who align with the organization's goals. This involves creating comprehensive profiles that encompass both professional qualifications and cultural fit. By presenting a detailed overview of each candidate, including their potential contributions to the organizational culture, these firms ensure that the hiring process is not merely transactional but strategic and aligned with long-term organizational goals.

Reducing Turnover Through Cultural Fit:

The strategic approach taken by recruiting firms, emphasizing cultural fit, significantly contributes to reducing turnover rates. Candidates who align with the organizational culture are more prone to remain dedicated and involved in their positions. This not only saves organizations the costs associated with frequent turnover but also contributes to the overall stability and success of the company.

Fostering Positive Company Cultures: A Shared Responsibility:

A positive company culture is a powerful asset that goes beyond the immediate benefits of employee satisfaction. Recruiting firms actively contribute to the cultivation and enhancement of this culture by aligning the hiring process with the values and goals of the company. Whether through targeted recruitment campaigns, diversity initiatives, or cultural assessments, recruiting firms play a key role in cultivating a setting where employees flourish, collaborate, and are integral to the organization's overall success.

Continuous Adaptation in a Shifting Business Landscape:

The business landscape continually evolves, and recruiting firms are crucial in helping organizations adapt to these changes. This includes staying abreast of emerging trends in diversity and inclusion, adjusting recruitment strategies accordingly, and incorporating innovative approaches to talent acquisition. As workforce dynamics transform, recruiting firms act as strategic advisors, guiding companies toward building resilient, future-ready teams.

Conclusion: Transformative Partnerships for Future Success:

In conclusion, the partnership between recruiting firms and companies is no longer confined to the transactional aspects of hiring. It has evolved into a transformative alliance where the strategic expertise of recruiting firms aligns with the long-term goals of organizations. By emphasizing diversity, cultural fit, and inclusive practices, recruiting firms create positive workplace cultures that drive success in a competitive business environment. As organizations persist in maneuvering through the complexities of an ever-evolving world, the strategic guidance provided by recruiting firms stands as a beacon, illuminating the path toward sustained growth, innovation, and inclusive excellence.

[thedialoguedilemma]

President Trump signed a memorandum today blaming the plane crash last night in Washington DC on the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion practices (DEI) of the Biden and Obama Administration’s

This comes after a report from the FAA noted that the staffing at Reagan National Airport was “not normal” and that two people were designated to man the controls for helicopters and planes but only 1 person was available.

Trump froze the hiring of federal employees—including air traffic controllers on his first day of office. Trump then fired the heads of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Coast Guard.

Trump claimed DEI was at an end in his administration even signing an Executive Order on it and still is blaming DEI.

Elon Musk also forced the Chief of the Federal Aviation Administration to resign after the FAA fined SpaceX for unsafe launch protocols. Trump didn’t appoint an acting FAA Chief until after the crash..TODAY.

When the press asked Trump if he was planning to visit the site, he responded saying “I have a plan to visit, not the site. Because you tell me, what’s the site? The water? You want me to go swimming?”

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

* * * *

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

January 22, 2025

Heather Cox Richardson

Jan 23, 2025

Marc Caputo of Axios reported today that Trump’s decision to pardon or commute the sentences of all the January 6 rioters convicted of crimes for that day’s events, including those who attacked police officers, was a spur of the moment decision by Trump apparently designed to get the issue behind him quickly. “Trump just said: ‘F*ck it: Release ‘em all,’” an advisor recalled.

Rather than putting the issue behind him, Trump’s new administration is already mired in controversy over it. NBC News profiled the men who threw Nazi salutes, posted that they intended to start a civil war, vowed “there will be blood,” and called for the lynching of Democratic lawmakers. These men, who attacked police with bear spray, flag poles, and a metal whip and choked officers with their bare hands, are now back on the streets.

That means they are also headed home to their communities. Jackson Reffitt, who reported his father Guy’s participation in the January 6 riot and was a key witness against him, told reporters he fears for his life now that his father is free. Jackson recorded his father’s threat against talking to the authorities. “If you turn me in, you’re a traitor,” his father said, “and traitors get shot.” “I’m honestly flabbergasted that we've gotten to this point," Jackson told CNN. “I’m terrified. I don’t know what I’m going to do.”

The country’s largest police union, the Fraternal Order of Police, has spoken out against the pardons, as has the International Association of Chiefs of Police. The Wall Street Journal editorial board wrote: “Law and order? Back the blue? What happened to that [Republican Party]?” “What happened [on January 6, 2021] is a stain on Mr. Trump’s legacy,” it wrote. “By setting free the cop beaters, the President adds another.”

Mark Jacob of Stop the Presses commented: “Republicans—the Jailbreak Party.”

One of the pardoned individuals is already back in prison on a gun charge, illustrating, as legal analyst Joyce White Vance said, why Trump should have evaluated “prior criminal history, behavior in prison, [and] risk of dangerousness to the community following release. Now,” she said, “we all pay the price for him using the pardon power as a political reward.” On social media, Heather Thomas wrote: “So when all was said and done, the only country that opened [its] prisons and sent crazy murderous criminals to prey upon innocent American citizens, was us.”

MSNBC’s Kyle Griffin reported that Stewart Rhodes of the Oath Keepers, who was convicted of sedition and sentenced to 18 years in prison, met with lawmakers on Capitol Hill this afternoon.

For the past two days, the new Trump administration has been demonstrating that it is far easier to break things than it is to build them.

In his determination to get rid of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) measures, Trump has shut down all federal government DEI offices and has put all federal employees working in such programs on leave, telling agencies to plan for layoffs. He reached back to the American past to root out all possible traces of DEI, calling it “illegal discrimination in the federal government.” Trump revoked a series of executive orders from various presidents designed to address inequities among American populations.

Dramatically, he reached all the way back to Executive Order 11246, signed by President Lyndon Baines Johnson in September 1965 to stop discriminatory practices in hiring in the federal government and in the businesses of those who were awarded federal contracts. Johnson put forward Executive Order 11246 shortly after Congress passed the Voting Rights Act to protect minority voting and a year after Congress passed the Civil Rights Act, both designed to level the playing field in the United States between white Americans, Black Americans and Americans of color.

In an even more dramatic reworking of American history, though, the Trump administration has frozen all civil rights cases currently being handled by the Department of Justice and has ordered Trump’s new supervisor of the civil rights division, Kathleen Wolfe, to make sure that none of the civil rights attorneys file any new complaints or other legal documents.

Congress created the Department of Justice in 1870…to prosecute civil rights cases.

Today, Erica L. Green reported for the New York Times that Trump’s team has threatened federal employees with “adverse consequences” if they refuse to turn in colleagues who “defy orders to purge diversity, equity and inclusion efforts from their agencies.” Civil rights lawyer Sherrilyn Ifill commented: “Can’t wait until these guys have to define in court a ‘DEI hire’ and ‘DEI employees.’”

Trump’s team has told the staff at Department of Health and Human Services—including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH)—to stop issuing health advisories, scientific reports, and updates to their websites and social media posts. Lena H. Sun, Dan Diamond, and Rachel Roubein of the Washington Post report that the CDC was expected this week to publish reports on the avian influenza virus, which has shut down Georgia’s poultry industry.

Trump has also set out to make his mark on the Department of Homeland Security. Trump yesterday removed the U.S. Coast Guard commandant, Admiral Linda Lee Fagan, and ordered the Coast Guard to surge cutters, aircrafts, boats and personnel to waters around Florida and borders with Mexico and to “the maritime border around Alaska, Hawai’i, the U.S. territories of Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands,” to stop migrants. The service is already covering these areas as well as it can: last August, the vice commandant of the Coast Guard, Admiral Kevin Lunday, told the Brookings Institution that the service was short of personnel and ships.

As Josh Funk reported in the Associated Press, Trump also fired the head of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), responsible for keeping the nation’s transportation systems safe. He also fired all the members of the Aviation Security Advisory Committee, mandated by Congress after the 1988 bombing of PanAm flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, to review safety in airports and airlines.

Hannah Rabinowitz, Evan Perez, and Kara Scannell of CNN reported that Trump has pushed aside senior Department of Justice lawyers in the national security division, prosecutors who work on international affairs, and lawyers in the criminal division, all divisions that were involved in the prosecutions involving Trump.

Trump has also suspended all funding disbursements for projects funded by the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, laws that invested billions of dollars in construction of clean energy manufacturing and the repair of roads, bridges, ports, and so on, primarily in Republican-dominated states.

Breaking things is easy, but it is harder to build them.

During the campaign, Trump repeatedly teased the idea that he had a secret plan to end Russia’s war against Ukraine in a day. This morning, in a social media post, he revealed it. He warned Russian president Vladimir Putin that he would “put high levels of Taxes, Tariffs, and Sanctions on anything being sold by Russia to the United States, and various other participating countries.”

In fact, President Barack Obama and then–secretary of state John Kerry hit Russia with sanctions after its 2014 invasion of Ukraine, and under President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, the U.S. and its allies have maintained biting sanctions against Russia. At the same time, Russia’s trade with the U.S. has fallen to lows that echo those of the period immediately after the fall of the Soviet Union.

“Making a ridiculous post about tariffs on Truth Social was his secret plan to end the war in 24 hours?” wrote editor Ron Filipkowski of MeidasNews. “What a ridiculous clown show. Idiocracy.”

Yesterday, Trump held an event with chief executive officer Sam Altman of OpenAI, chairman and chief technology officer Larry Ellison of Oracle, and chief executive officer Masayoshi Son of SoftBank to roll out a $500 billion investment in artificial intelligence, although Ja’han Jones of MSNBC explained that it’s not clear how much of that investment was already in place. In any case, Trump’s sidekick Elon Musk promptly threw water on the announcement, posting on X, “They don’t actually have the money.” He added “SoftBank has well under $10B secured. I have that on good authority.”

Musk has his own plan for developing AI tools and is in a legal battle with OpenAI. Altman retorted: “this is great for the country. i realize what is great for the country isn’t always what’s optimal for your companies, but in your new role i hope you’ll mostly put [America] first.” As Jones noted, the fight took the shine off Trump’s big announcement.

As for turning his orders into reality, Trump has turned that responsibility over to others.

Mark Berman and Jeremy Roebuck of the Washington Post noted today that Trump’s executive orders covered a wide range of topics and then simply told the incoming attorney general to handle them. A key theme of Trump’s campaign was his accusations that Biden was using the Justice Department against Trump and his loyalists; Berman and Roebuck point out that Trump “appears to want the Justice Department to act as both investigator and enforcer of his personal and policy wishes.”

This morning, Meryl Kornfield and Patrick Svitek of the Washington Post, with the help of researcher Alec Dent, reported on Trump’s first meeting with House speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and Senate majority leader John Thune (R-SD). Trump frequently repeated, “promises made, promises kept,” but offered no guidance for how he foresees getting his agenda through Congress, where the Republicans have tiny margins. Both Johnson and Thune pointed out that it will be difficult to get majorities behind some of his plans.

According to Kornfield and Svitek, Trump stressed “that he doesn’t care how his agenda becomes law, just that it must.”

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

HEATHER COX RICHARDSON

[chuplayswithfire]

Modern AU Stede is incredibly funny because he is incredibly cringe and obtuse in a well-meaning but embarrassing way. Like, you can translate his introduction to Spanish Jackie's bar and his approach to piracy in so many ways:

He's the guy who opens up a tattoo parlor and has all of the tattoo machines and ink and the designs and then decides well, guess I should learn how to tattoo!

He's the guy who opens a gay bar because he's always wanted to be part of an inclusive community and buys all of the liquors and mixers and gets the permits and hires the staff and then thinks to himself, well I guess it's time to learn how to mix drinks!

He's the guy who gets himself a table in artist's alley at San Diego Comic Con and then decides well it's time to learn how to draw!

He spends all the money and procures items needed to succeed first and acquires the practical skill dead last. He introduces himself in flamboyant and quite frankly embarrassing ways, never fits in, is always doing his own thing, and it's embarrassing as hell, but it's also utterly endearing.

He's not the guy who comes in and demands that people change their behavior or conform to standard, but he is the guy who utterly fails to understand the social norms of the room he's burst into.

[askagamedev]

Hi! I’m a Brazilian fan of your work, and I want to thank you for all the content you share. I often see heated discussions about the role of consulting companies in game development, and I’d love to hear your perspective. In practice, how much influence do these consultancies have on making changes to a game? Do you think they have the power to shape development in a meaningful way? Thanks for your time!

Consultants have as much power as the studio or publisher gives them. When Nintendo hires a consultant to act as the team's executive producer/director (e.g. Masahiro Sakurai via Sora Ltd.), then that consultant will have as much power as a director of the project, granting him broad authority to do what he wants. When the Tony Hawk Shred team hired a physics professor to consult on the physics of skateboarding, they tasked him with coming up with a control scheme that felt like actual skateboarding. He didn't have any more power or responsibility than that. In my experience, companies hire consultants to ask them questions about their specific area of expertise and then they can choose whether they want to listen.

I suspect your question is primarily about a particular consulting company about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. These folks aren't any different from the WWII consultants that were hired by the Call of Duty team to make sure the games felt real. Consultants are usually there to provide advice and answer our questions. It is up to the company's leadership above them to decide whether to make the choice. A company like Sweet Baby Inc. is generally brought on to answer questions about the representation of people within the game they're consulting on, since that is their field of expertise. Whether the devs doing the narrative design, quest design, cinematic design, character design, item design, etc. take their suggestions is dependent on the decisions of the team leadership.

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