Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1346891
V O L . X X V I I N O. V § 2 M A R C H 8 , 2 0 2 1 26 D I V E R S I T Y / E Q U I T Y / I N C L U S I O N F O C U S want to sit next to a black person? ese are uncomfortable questions but they need to be explored," says Rhoda McVeigh, director of con- sulting services at KMA Human Resources LLC. Not everyone is going to be on board with new initiatives on diver- sity requirements to share and discuss uncomfortable topics. But companies need to explain the law, the benefits of diverse ideas and people and then hold firm on their demands, human resources experts says. "When you roll out policies and procedures to do DEI, all of the staff has to be aware of the changes and hear it in language they understand. People will weed themselves out. And if someone can't be on board with these expectations, companies will weed them out, too," Levine says. "You sometimes need one-on-one coaching sessions with an employee. And at times, you need to make tough decisions about what people you want working for your company," McVeigh says. "It can't just be an HR strategy. It has to be important to the boss and then on down the line." Maine's diversity advocates admit there's work to be done, but there's also hope. "Maine is more than 90% white. at means it's difficult, but it doesn't mean it's impossible," says Giovani Twigge, IDEXX's chief human resources officer. "e 'Maine factor' is an issue, but we are tackling that." J e s s i c a H a l l , a w r i t e r b a s e d i n N o b l e b o r o, c a n b e r e a c h e d a t e d i t o r i a l @ m a i n e b i z . b i z MAINE MADE US nclusive NORTHERN LIGHT HEALTH HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO LIVE OUR VALUES. Northern Light Health is committed to be a system where social and medical justice define how we make healthcare work for the people we serve. We are committed to an inclusive environment and to engage in the pursuit of knowledge to address the needs of our community. If you'd like to become a part of Northern Light Health's commitment, consider joining our team: northernlighthealth.org/careers » C O N T I N U E D F RO M P R E V I O U S PA G E Giovani Twigge Giovani Twigge, , chief HR officer at chief HR officer at IDEXX Laboratories IDEXX Laboratories. P H O T O / J I M N E U G E R Maine is more than 90% white. That means it's difficult, but it doesn't mean it's impossible. — Giovani Twigge IDEXX Laboratories