"We are both a laboratory of ideas, because we professionalize our member companies on the major issues we address, and also an operator of field programs for underrepresented job seekers in fragile territories,” explains Alice Chanson.
These missions address several challenges for companies. First, there are legal and risk management issues, meaning being supported to ensure that environments are inclusive and non-discriminatory, to avoid problems with alerts, feelings of injustice, and inequity.
Next, there are ethical and social responsibility issues. “It’s about how I want my company to be, what image I want it to have, and how I want to evolve it?,” specifies Alice Chanson.
Additionally, there are challenges related to talent attraction, retention, effectiveness, and collective performance. Not to mention managerial and organizational issues, which question the dysfunctions within an organization as well as managerial skills.
Les Entreprises pour la Cité therefore conducts awareness-raising work to try to deconstruct stereotypes and raise awareness that diversity and inclusion ultimately concern everyone.
“85% of disabilities occur during one’s lifetime. Potentially, I could find myself disabled one day and face discrimination in employment, in my professional development, or otherwise. One can be discriminated against as they age. A young person is an old person in the making. So potentially, these are issues that concern everyone.”
“That’s why it’s important to raise awareness and say that these are cross-cutting issues of psychological safety, well-being, quality of life at work, and even quality of life in society. Living together, working together, concerns everyone,” concludes Alice Chanson.
