Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I)

Hein’s DE&I Committee meets monthly to establish goals, determine initiatives, and implement action items that help to foster a welcoming, respectful, and inclusive environment within our office, as well as in our interactions with our customers, business partners, and community. From diversifying our recruitment efforts to building out comprehensive and transparent onboarding procedures, from establishing company-wide DE&I training efforts to planning outreach events, this group helps ensure that we are fulfilling each part of our company’s mission statement in both our words and actions.

The culture at the Hein Company is one that we are intentionally striving to create. It is founded on the premise of teamwork and collaboration. When people work together we are able to be more innovative and agile as a company. Getting to a point of true teamwork and collaboration requires each person to have the right level of support and to feel a sense of belonging. Our culture starts from the example set by our senior leaders. When a situation occurs that goes against our desired culture, it is discussed and a better path forward is set for the future. We also regularly check in on the employees’ perception of our culture through feedback forms and periodic surveys. Culture will be a discussed as a regular standing agenda item amongst the managers to ensure we are upholding our DE&I values of teamwork and collaboration.

To actively target sources where diverse candidates congregate so we can achieve employment levels that represent our Western New York community. We will work towards building internship opportunities and enhancing recruitment procedures, while developing a brand that welcomes diverse candidates. Networking at events promoting diversity and reaching out to local community partners and diverse media outlets will allow us to establish opportunities for a broader range of candidates.

Our employee onboarding process offers a streamlined approach for increased retention, productivity, and job satisfaction. Our initiatives include providing the employee with all relevant information prior to arriving their first day, as well as a description and schedule for what to expect their first week. In addition, weekly and monthly meetings are to be held with both Human Resources and the employee’s manager to check-in with the employee and how they are doing. For increased awareness, a brochure is available to employees, which details committees they can join, company events throughout the year, and additional benefits such as the fitness center and cafeteria.

The Hein Company endeavors to make DE&I training and education a priority. Our management team is committed to undergoing the necessary training to become leaders on diversity in the workplace. We will review and select a DE&I certification for top management and human resources to obtain. As new employees are brought into the company, they will be provided training on DE&I as part of our onboarding program. During the course of an employee’s career at Hein, we will provide them with opportunities throughout the year for DE&I training. Employees will have access to a library of resources including topics on DE&I that the company will continue to expand upon.

The Hein Company engages with local organizations in order to create an ongoing dialogue to welcome those of diverse backgrounds and their stories. By extending our resources and connections our communities’ diversity is brought to light strengthening empathy and understanding. The DE&I committee will partner with local community action programs and organizations to support individuals, so they can have equitable experiences and pursue their self-directed life goals.

We recognize that the methods of communication we choose can help uplift others and break down barriers. We are taking several steps towards using equitable and inclusive language and communication. First and foremost, we strive to adapt our communication to address a wide range of needs; this includes using Google Translate and utilizing transcriptions on webinars. We endeavor to focus on the humanity of each individual and to avoid objectification in all of our company communications. Our goal is to communicate in an accessible way that instills a sense of belonging for all.