The coronavirus continues to lay bare systemic inequalities in the US workforce and economy. Now, in the wake of the pandemic, and nationwide Black Lives Matter protests, more companies are being forced to reckon with their own practices and employee policies.
A report by the Economic Policy Institute based on federal labor data shows that a disproportionately high share of Black and Hispanic workers can't telecommute for their jobs, putting them at higher risk of contracting the coronavirus, or being laid off as businesses continue to close.
Indeed, Black and brown workers, specifically Hispanic workers, are more likely to be laid off or have their pay cut because of the pandemic, an April Pew report shows. Some 61% of Hispanic workers were negatively impacted by the pandemic, compared to 44% of Black workers and 38% of white workers.
Black women have it particularly difficult. A survey from Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg's nonprofit Lean In showed that Black women were twice as likely as white men to say that they were laid off or furloughed during the global outbreak.
The pandemic also showed how lack of childcare impacts women, who take on more household work than men. And research shows about one third of all daycare centers may not reopen after the pandemic, forcing more women out of the workforce.
In dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, how can businesses respond in a way that promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion?
One business organization, B Lab, shared an action plan with Business Insider that any company can follow. B Lab administers B Corp ratings to for-profit companies that meet high social and environmental, public transparency, and legal standards. The program is championed by progressive companies including clothing company Patagonia, food company Danone, and ice-cream favorite Ben & Jerry's.
Here are four slides from the action plan that you need to see.