Though hiring and retaining a diverse workforce has been proven to increase profitability, the value of diversity and inclusion goes well beyond the bottom line. Fostering a work environment where employees from a variety of backgrounds are supported and empowered helps employee retention, morale, and productivity.
Staff at Meetup and Grubhub share how they approach this complex issue to support employees from all walks of life. From creating self-governed employee resource groups to partnering with external organizations, check out the following ways to support diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
1. Create self-directed Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)
One of the best methods for supporting employees is to set up employee resource groups (ERGs). Employee Resource Groups are employee-led collectives that foster cross-company learning and engagement. These groups often have a leadership team with a budget planning workplace programming.
At Grubhub, developing employee resource groups, known internally as GrubConnect groups, has been a boon to the company culture. The groups not only support employees from diverse backgrounds but also educate allies across the organization.
“In the last 18 months, Grubhub has grown its support network from zero GrubConnect groups to seven, which, for a company of our size, is incredible. All of our GrubConnect groups are employee-led, with support from executive sponsors, and backed by a company budget. On a high level, our groups are focused primarily on three areas: community-building, retaining and growing our own people—providing mentorship and professional development opportunities, and recruiting new talent.” — Becky Altman, Sr. Manager, Culture & Community
Some of the GrubConnect groups are for supporting employees from underrepresented backgrounds. One such group is BEACON, Black Employee Affinity Culture Organizational Network, a group that builds community for Black employees, creates opportunities for professional development, attracts diverse talent, gives back to the community, and fosters awareness at the workplace. Another group is GRUBPRIDE, a group for LGBTQIA+ employees to feel safe and celebrated through social and community outreach events, equitable recruiting practices, and professional development opportunities.
Other employee resource groups are for employees undergoing similar life experiences, such as becoming a parent. As one Grubhub staff member shares, meeting colleagues with similar experiences is a lifeline at work.
“The working parents’ group has been a tremendous help for me as a new dad. I enjoy connecting with them and learning from their successes and struggles to raise kids, and learn what it means to be a working dad.” — Jeffy Joseph, Manager, Logistics
By creating a venue for self-directed programming, employee resource groups allow employees to spend time during work hours to educate each other, strengthen communication, and find support.
2. Find external partners to support diversity and inclusion
Workplace diversity and inclusion are multifaceted issues that touch on all aspects of office life. Collaborating with individuals and organizations from outside your workplace is a way to get specialized support for your company’s D&I efforts.
In May 2021, Grubhub hosted a virtual field trip with Code Nation, a nonprofit based in Chicago and New York that works with high schoolers from backgrounds that are underrepresented in the tech industry. During an event they called a “Virtual 404 Party,” small groups of students partnered with Grubhub volunteers to use HTML, CSS, and JS to plan and build an alternative 404 page for Grubhub’s website.
Another meaningful partnership is Grubhub’s Reconnect Returnship Program, a 16-week paid returnship for experienced professionals returning to the workforce after taking time off for caregiving. The program, led by Path Forward, is designed to help people re-enter the workforce after spending time as a caregiver. Opportunities are open to individuals who have at least five years of professional experience and have been out of the paid workforce for at least two years to focus on caring for a child or other dependent.
“I’m a mother of two, and I have friends who left the workforce to take care of their young kids, who are now exploring their options to return. It’s been really challenging for them because of how employers perceive the gap in their resumes. This Reconnect program gives women an easier transition. It gives everybody a fair chance.” —Gargi Gupta, Software Engineer II
Grubhub also works with Recruit Military, an organization devoted to aiding the veteran community and their spouses by improving their economic and overall wellbeing. By providing a clear path and training for people to re-enter the workforce, Grubhub is diversifying the workforce.
And for the past two years, Grubhub has been partnering with Lesbians Who Tech, an organization that promotes LGBTQ+ women, trans individuals, and nonbinary people who work in tech spaces. Grubhub has presented at their annual conference and hosted panel discussions with members. Partnering with Lesbians Who Tech is a natural extension of Grubhub’s commitment to embracing and celebrating people from diverse backgrounds.
Meetup partnered with Flatiron School’s John Stanley Ford Fellowship program, which supports the advancement of Black tech professionals. The two engineering fellows contributed such extraordinary work during their three-month fellowships with Meetup; both fellows received full-time employment offers to stay at the company.
3. Focus on communication and collaboration
Allowing for candid feedback throughout the year is another way that employers can make employees of all backgrounds feel more supported. Sharing short surveys on different company events and initiatives allows employees to share their viewpoints. Encouraging managers to discuss new company policies and get feedback from direct reports creates a sense of employee buy-in at a company.
“At Meetup, we encourage managers to be open to listening and learning from other’s lived experiences. It’s important to include diverse voices not just in conversations, but in decision making,” explains Eliza Mejia, Meetup’s Director of People.
Sometimes, the best way to achieve results is to work across teams. At Grubhub, employee resource groups will often work together for an intersectional approach to supporting staff. For example, to celebrate Black History Month in February, Grubhub’s BEACON members collaborated with the Working Parents Connect ERG to plan a panel on how to talk to children about race.
“This emphasis on cross-collaboration is really about recognizing the intersectionality of our employees. We aren’t just “one” of something and our GrubConnect groups are really focused on recognizing that, as people, we fall into many buckets of identity.” — Becky Altman, Sr. Manager, Culture & Community at Grubhub
4. Follow your company’s guiding principles
It’s common for companies to have stated pillars and values to guide decision-making. At Meetup, these core principles influence how employees are supported at work.
“Two of the values we live at Meetup come up again and again when we focus on inclusivity at work: Trust in Transparency, which is about fostering open and honest communication, and Elevate People, a pillar that reminds us to celebrate our differences and support each other.”
“We ask that our employees bring their whole selves to work. They don’t have to check their outside lives at the door. We model this across the company. Many of our meetings, especially during the pandemic, open with a check-in, which can be personal or professional.” —Eliza Mejia, Meetup’s Director of People.
Creating an inclusive workplace requires time, attention, and deliberate action. Most importantly, it requires effort and input from a diverse group of people. By pursuing a variety of methods to foster a culture of inclusion and support, your workplace will be well-suited to attracting and retaining its talented employees.
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About Grubhub
Grubhub is part of Just Eat Takeaway.com, a leading global online food delivery marketplace. Dedicated to connecting more than 33 million diners with the food they love from their favorite local restaurants, Grubhub elevates food ordering through innovative restaurant technology, easy-to-use platforms, and an improved delivery experience. Grubhub features over 300,000 restaurants and is proud to partner with over 280,000 of these restaurants in over 4,000 U.S. cities.
Grubhub is always looking for talented professionals from a wide variety of backgrounds. Learn more about open positions.
Last modified on June 29, 2021
