workplace inclusion Archives

Achieving workplace diversity requires long-term commitment, an alignment of company values, and an investment in the right partners. The Ticket to Work program is led by the Social Security Administration (SSA), but it’s through the help of industry leaders like DoverStaffing that the principles are being instilled in today’s workforce.

What is the Ticket to Work Program?

The Ticket to Work program launched in 2002 and has since seen more than 1.5 million participants. However, while the SSA administers the program, they rely on partners such as DoverStaffing to offer the associated training, counseling, referrals, and supporting services.

The two types of providers that partner with the SSA for the Ticket to Work program include employment networks and vocational rehabilitation agencies. DoverStaffing falls into the employment category, helping the SSA to achieve the program’s goals of:

Helping people with disabilities return to the workforce.
Supporting financial independence amongst individuals.
Providing ongoing training to prepare participants for their desired roles.
Offering career advice, workplace support, and job placements to participants.

Who Should Join The Ticket to Work Program?

Participation in the Ticket to Work program is not required just because an individual has a disability and is seeking employment. Rather, the Ticket to Work program is a free and voluntary opportunity for people with disabilities who wish to position themselves for a fulfilling career.

The SSA has minimal eligibility requirements for the Ticket to Work program. To participate, an individual must be:

Between the ages of 18 and 64.
Receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Many individuals who participate in the Ticket to Work program can even keep receiving their healthcare and disability benefits as they complete training and work on transitioning into a new position.

The Benefits of The Ticket to Work Program

Designing an inclusive workplace means leveraging the unique skills of every individual, which is why the Ticket to Work program is so valuable. “Unlocking fulfilling work opportunities for people with disabilities is one of the greatest commitments of DoverStaffing and the employers we partner with,” says Sanquinetta Dover, the founder of Dover Solutions.

One of the primary benefits of the Ticket to Work program offered by DoverStaffing is that our services extend beyond the training program. With our other verticals, such as DoverStaffing, we’re able to train people with disabilities and help them network with potential employers, find job placements, and ultimately achieve the perfect workplace match.

Likewise, through DoverStaffing, we work with companies seeking to fill positions. We can look at our Ticket to Work participants and other trainees to discover the best-matched talent for a given role. Simultaneously, we can support diversity and inclusion (D&I) goals while also giving employers exclusive access to talent that may not yet be searching for positions on their own.

As a result, both participants and employers benefit significantly from the Ticket to Work program because it:

Helps people with disabilities find their talents and passions so they can leverage their skills and enter into a fulfilling career while giving them the chance to work towards financial independence.
Supports workplace D&I initiatives by allowing employers to tap into a network of qualified individuals yearning for a position at their company.
Improves placement success for both employee and employer through ongoing workplace support and training. This can reduce training costs and help employers build their teams for the long term.

Participants can stay in the Ticket to Work program for up to seven years, and DoverStaffing is committed to long-term support for employees and employers alike. Together, we can help your company grow its team with great talent while we work to create a more inclusive and diverse workforce.

Leading The Way with New D&I Initiatives

Ultimately, the Ticket to Work program from DoverStaffing represents a win-win scenario for people with disabilities hoping to achieve greater independence and for the employers who are fortunate enough to realize their value in the workforce. The question is, whom do you partner with?

At DoverStaffing, we are committed to closing the skills gap in the workforce while helping to create a diverse talent pool by providing training and resources to passionate individuals regardless of physical/mental ability, race, age, or work history.

Likewise, we are enthusiastic about supporting employers working diligently to ensure that they have an inclusive workplace and build a culture around the diverse individuals who help them grow. With these verticals combined, we strive to be the best resource for trainees, employers, and the industry at large as our nation progresses on the path to inclusivity.

Are you interested in learning more about the Ticket to Work program and the role of DoverStaffing in helping employers achieve their diversity and inclusion goals? Reach out to our team today.

Workplace diversity has become the standard for excellence for companies nationwide. And as ethnic, racial, socio-economic, and gender demographics continue to shift in the U.S., it’s more important than ever for companies to implement diversity protocols in hiring staff and management. However, for many employers, the phrase “workplace diversity” can lead to confusion as businesses grapple with its implications and relevance in their industries. Businesses eager to thrive and embrace workplace diversity may be unclear about what it actually entails, how it relates to workplace inclusion, and how to create a company culture that embraces both.

In this article, we’ll explore the all-important questions of what workplace diversity is, how it affects your business, and how you can create a genuinely diverse, inclusive workplace.

Defining Workplace Diversity

The U.S. government’s Non-Discrimination Statement and Policy makes this clear and powerful statement: “The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.” This covers much ground, and leaves little room for misinterpretation in doing so. In this way, the statement captures the heart of diversity: A group of people who reflect the whole of the society where they live and work.

As is clear from this definition, diversity and inclusivity aren’t just about markers such as race, ethnicity, and gender. They also involve gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, military status or service, socio-economic background, marital status, political affiliations, levels of ability/disability, and other factors that can lead to discrimination.

While real strides have been made to create greater workplace diversity in recent years, studies show that it’s still not enough. A recent report from accountant firm PricewaterhouseCoopers showed that, while 87 percent of organizations participating in their survey believed that inclusion and diversity were top priorities, only 10 percent of them had met company goals in this area.

Are Diversity and Inclusion the Same Thing?

The terms “diversity” and “inclusion” are sometimes, and erroneously, used interchangeably. While the terms go hand-in-hand, each has its own distinct and vital place in the workforce. And for diversity and inclusion to reach their greatest potential, employers must understand how these words are different and why companies should focus on both.

Essentially, the word “diversity” indicates the workforce makeup, while “inclusion” refers to the steps and actions being taken to ensure that diversity grows and prospers within the workplace. Inclusion is the result when diversity is successfully implemented and optimized. When diversity exists without inclusion, this can produce a workplace where people from various ethnicities, genders, backgrounds, and abilities are employed, but may not be granted promotions or equal opportunities to work to their full potential in the company. In a truly diverse working environment that encourages inclusion, everyone’s contribution is enabled, utilized, and valued equally.

Creating an Inclusive Workplace

Here are several hiring strategies that can help you create a genuinely inclusive workplace:

Use software tools that test job candidate skills anonymously.

A number of software tools, including Vervoe and Toggle Hire, allow you to appraise a candidate’s skills and eligibility without identifying their name, age, race, or ethnicity. Other tools like Predictive Index help reveal diversity gaps within your company and fill these gaps with qualified individuals.

Create job descriptions with inclusive language.

Your job descriptions should make it crystal clear that everyone will be equally evaluated and, if hired, will be given equal opportunities within the role.

Include minority groups in your marketing and advertising.

Target your hiring ads so they’ll reach people in minority groups. In addition, you can seek out culturally diverse candidates through sites like LinkedIn.

Get advice from minority organizations.

Partner with minority organizations in your community and regularly consult with them on how to make your workplace not only more diverse but more inclusive as well.

A Diverse Workplace Makes for a Successful Business

The advantages of greater workplace diversity and inclusion are already well-documented. A recent report from tech talent provider Built In indicates that 48 percent of the Generation Z population identifies as a racial or ethnic minority. For companies to stay relevant and competitive, it’s essential to fulfill workplace diversity standards to attract and retain vital new talent. The report also highlights that employers who implement diversity protocols in staff and management typically see a 2.3 greater cash flow per employee. Likewise, a study from the Harvard Business Review shows that these businesses generally see a 19 percent increase in revenues.

“Diversity is a wide umbrella, “says Dover Solutions founder Sanquinetta Maria Dover, “and the more we recognize the breadth and scope of what a truly diverse workplace is, the greater the advantage to our businesses and our communities.” As a proponent of diversity and inclusion, Ms. Dover leads her organization in helping employers embrace inclusive hiring practices, and employees advance their skills to connect with greater opportunities.

Contact DoverSolutions to learn more about our innovative human capital management consultation services, staffing services, and training opportunities. And be sure to read our next article in this series, where we’ll talk about the many ways employers can benefit by hiring and retaining a diverse workforce.

Tag Archive for: workplace inclusion

Diversity in the Workplace: More Than Meets the Eye

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