Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd Announces Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Webinar Series

July 07, 2021 - Christine Gantt-Sorenson
HSB’s employment law team is pleased to announce that it is offering a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion webinar series during 2021-2022, focusing on a specific DEI topic each month. Each webinar will offer insights from a guest DEI expert who will discuss solutions to building awareness and receptiveness in the workplace, and share resources available to human resource professionals and employers. In addition, a member of the HSB employment law team will cover legal updates and considerations on the specific DEI topic the webinar addresses. HSB employment attorneys and their guests will also address common issues arising in employment.

The HSB DEI webinar series kicks off on August 19 with Perry MacLennan and Brandi Parrish-Ellison from the South Carolina Women’s Rights Empowerment Network covering pay equity in time for Women’s Equality Day on August 26.

We will welcome Herb Johnson, well known DEI expert in the upstate and former Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer for Michelin USA, who will join Chris Gantt-Sorenson on September 30 for a conversation on diversity, equity and inclusion in our workplaces.  

On October 21, Chris Gantt-Sorenson will be joined by Chris Sparrow from Able SC to review ADA compliance and the interactive process during Disability Employment Awareness month. 

On November 18, Demetrius Pyburn, HSB Employment lawyer and US Army veteran and reservist, will be joined by Carolyn Baynes with Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) and Marlin Bodison, Director of Veteran Affairs with SC Works. 

Religious diversity in the workplace is discussed less than other diversity topics, yet many employees would feel a greater sense of inclusion if religious differences were more readily acknowledged at work. On December 1, HSB’s Chris Gantt-Sorenson will discuss religious diversity in the workplace with Nina Boe, Workplace Program Associate with the Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding and Mike Ungar, a member of the Workplace Advisory Council to the Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding.

In 2022, we will cover Race Equity, Training and Compliance in February during Black History Month, Gender Discrimination in March during Women’s History Month, National Origin and legal bilingual requirements in April, and legal protections for the LGBTQQIA community in May in anticipation of Pride Month. We will present our legislative updates in January and June, as always.

Webinars will be held virtually, from 12-1 PM, and we will apply for SHRM, HRCI and CLE credits.

Keep your eye out for our blogs announcing the webinars to register and let us know of any specific questions you have for us or our guests.