It’s July and if you’re like me, I’m exhausted from still having to speak about the pandemic and its impact on so many things, including employee benefits. It pains me to have to explain to our clients that their medical renewal includes a COVID-19 factor, but the evidence is real and showcased in their claims experience, But that’s a topic for another day. Today I want to share a positive trend stemming from the pandemic, but also from recent disturbing events, that appears to be creating true and meaningful change – the growing focus by employers to foster diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).

If you are just embarking upon your DEI journey, it’s important to understand what these three words together mean. I thought I’d share simple, but impactful, definitions coined by Dr. Robert Sellers, Chief Diversity Officer at the University of Michigan, which he likened to attending a dance:

“Diversity is where everyone is invited to the party,

Equity means that everyone gets to contribute to the playlist, and Inclusion means that everyone has the opportunity to dance”