Race, COVID, and Egg Bread (Mike’s Biweekly Missive)

This week, I’m sharing four resources:

• Conversations about Race in Society and the Workplace
• Avoiding Disparate Impact in the Use of Criminal History Information
• Please Take the Texas Return to Work Initiative Survey
• Recipe: Egg Bread (Gluten Free!)

But first, welcome to the summer of 2020… when we aren’t talking about COVID, we’re talking about race.

Since George Floyd’s killing on May 25th, I’ve struggled with what to share publicly.

So many of the corporate public responses seemed, well… contrived, pandering, dilute, or self-serving.

Chances are, in trying to make my own statement, I risk repeating those errors.

I’ve come to the realization that what I say matters precious little in comparison to what I do.

So I’m doing.

For the most part, I’m doing things I’ve always done—explored ideas, engaged in conversations, and tried to leverage any small influence I have toward justice.

Hopefully, I’ve been more intentional about it over the last few months.

Conversations about Race in Society and the Workplace

I’m a big believer in the power of personal stories—they are the greatest lever we have to effect change.

This Thursday, I’ve partnered with Texas SHRM to present a panel discussion entitled Personal Experiences of Race in Society and the Workplace.

I’ve invited three friends and Texas HR leaders to discuss their experiences as people of color, both in society at large and in the workplace. 

Then, next week, I’m hosting a similar panel discussion with the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, this time with local business leaders of color.

Both online events are free and open to the public. I hope you’ll find time to engage with the experiences the panelists will share.

Avoiding Disparate Impact in the Use of Criminal History Information

Criminal history information is only useful in the employment context if employers are thoughtful and nuanced in how the information is used.

Minorities in the US are arrested, prosecuted, and convicted at a higher rate than the white population, meaning use of criminal history may more significantly impact minority applicants.

Most employers understand this and attempt to evaluate individual’s criminal history on a case-by-case basis. Indeed, that is generally the advice provided by the EEOC.

For years, I’ve shared a framework to guide these “case-by-case” considerations in order to ensure individual manager’s unrecognized biases don’t unnecessarily cost applicants job opportunities and employers access to qualified talent.

Over a decade ago, I put together a set of tools to help employers create such a framework for evaluating criminal history before ever encountering the applicant with a history. 

I’ve summarized the tools in my webinar, How to Fairly and Legally Evaluate Applicants’ Criminal History Information. The slides and notes are available for download, as well.

If you have questions about that info, feel free to reach out to me!

Please Take the Texas Return to Work Initiative Survey

The Texas Association of Business (the state chamber of commerce) has partnered with a number of other organizations to create the Return to Work Initiative.

We’ve created a useful resource guide that links to government and private resources for businesses returning to work during the pandemic.

Also, if you’re a Texas business, please complete our quick 40-question survey, which will be critical in helping local and state policy makers as they address issues affecting employers during the pandemic.

Ingredients:

• 7 large eggs
• 8 tbsp melted butter (1/2 cup)
• 2 tbsp coconut oil (1 oz)
• 2 cups almond flour (7 oz)
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp xanthan gum
• 1 tsp salt

Optional:

• 1.5 cups monkfruit sweetener
• 2 tsp vanilla extract

Steps:

1. Preheat the oven to 355 F.
2. Separate the eggs and whip the egg whites until stiff.
3. Combine the egg yolks, melted butter, coconut oil, and, optionally, the vanilla extract and beat until smooth.
4. Add the almond flour, baking powder, xanthan gum, salt, and, optionally, monkfruit sweetener and beat until combined and thick.
5. Fold in the egg whites and mix until even.
6. Scrape into an 8-inch X 4-inch loaf pan lined with baking paper.
7. Bake for 55 minutes or until a knife comes out of the middle clean.
8. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days or up to 1 month in the freezer.

Be well and keep your chin up!

Thanks!
—COFFEY