Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I)
At William S. Hein & Co., Inc. we are committed to continually working towards developing an environment where diversity, equity, and inclusion are all embedded in our culture and how we do business. We want each person to feel like they belong here and that there is space for them to be their whole and unique self. When people experience that environment, great things can happen. This journey together can have an immensely positive impact and we will work every day to make that our reality.
Company Goals
Diversity
Recruiting and obtaining a level of diversity representative to that of our community within all levels of our organization. Diversity can be measured by reviewing recruitment, hiring, and headcount statistics.
Equity
Providing each person with the necessary tools and support so they can have an equal opportunity to participate and succeed as an achieving member of the company and community.
Inclusion
Creating an environment where every person acknowledges and actively accepts each other for who they are. Regular review of retention statistics and survey results will infer an improved sense of belonging.
What We've Done and What We're Doing
Our company has initiated the following to support our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) efforts:
Internal Actions
- We regularly seek employee feedback to better understand and strengthen their sense of belonging within the organization.
- We periodically match employee donations to local non-profit organizations.
- We continuously improve the onboarding process for new employees to foster a greater sense of belonging.
- We enhance our company newsletter on an ongoing basis to strengthen communication and employee relationships.
- We provide employees with flexible holidays to support religious and cultural inclusion.
- We celebrate various global holidays throughout the year with specially crafted cuisine and festivities.
- We routinely review our digital product through a DE&I lens to ensure it uses inclusive language and is accessible to its users.
- We regularly review our recruitment efforts to ensure that all applicants are given equal opportunity and are evaluated based on fair and consistent criteria.
Community Support
- We host an annual food drive and support the Buffalo Community Fridges and FeedMore WNY through that initiative.
- We volunteer annually at the Teacher’s Desk.
- Each year, we collaborate with a local organization to donate gifts to families in need. Some organizations we have worked with include Child & Family Services, Compeer, P.U.N.T., and Community Services for Every1.
- We partnered with TechBuffalo to provide employment opportunities for younger people.
- We offer a perpetually free Social Justice Suite, which includes five topical databases designed to support historical and scholarly research on critical issues such as slavery in America, civil rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and more.
COMPANY INITIATIVES
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 is welcoming to all 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.
We have been highly intentional in building a comprehensive onboarding experience that ensures every new team member feels welcomed, supported, and set up for success from day one. Each new hire receives a thoughtfully structured plan designed to help them gradually acclimate to their role, connect meaningfully with coworkers, and build a strong relationship with their manager and Human Resources. Our goal is to foster a genuine sense of belonging early in the employee journey—an approach that contributes to higher retention, improved productivity, and greater overall job satisfaction.
We actively invest in creating a workplace where diversity, equity, and inclusion are woven into the fabric of our culture. Our efforts focus on increasing awareness and appreciation of different cultures, perspectives, and lived experiences. We offer periodic training sessions and host engaging Lunch & Learns that encourage meaningful dialogue on DE&I topics. Additionally, we organize events throughout the year that celebrate and spotlight a variety of cultural traditions, helping to foster greater understanding and connection among our team members.
We are committed to supporting our local community through a variety of outreach efforts, including volunteering, donations, and partnerships with impactful organizations. These initiatives allow us to engage with and uplift individuals from diverse backgrounds, fostering empathy and inclusion beyond the workplace. Our goal is to create equitable opportunities and meaningful connections that help individuals pursue their personal and professional 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.
Together at the Hein Company
We encourage individuals from all backgrounds, experiences, and identities to apply and contribute to our diverse and inclusive workplace.