Celebrating the Differences That Makes Us a Stronger Whole
As I look back on the recent cultural diversity potluck we had in our corporate office, I’m grateful that we take the time to acknowledge the diversity of ethnicities, identities, backgrounds, perspectives and experiences that make us stronger. Being part of an organization that doesn’t just tolerate diversity but actually celebrates it is important to me personally and professionally, and I regularly witness first-hand the many ways that our rich cultural diversity makes UG2 a more effective, responsive and successful company.
My first encounter with UG2, even before my own interview, was coming in to serve as an interpreter for my father, who had also applied for a position. Through that experience, I forged a connection with UG2 leadership, and the relationships I developed led my supervisors and managers to recognize my skills and talent. Throughout my career path, I had the opportunity of working in human resources, where I had a formal hand in helping other new employees to become familiar and grounded at the company.
As with so many industries that are the backbone of this country, facility services rely heavily on people who are the children of immigrants or are immigrants themselves. My coworkers are some of the most hardworking, principled and compassionate individuals I’ve known. From our front-line workers on up, their generosity and recognition of one another’s humanity is what makes true teamwork possible.
Formal recognition and celebration of diversity is a wonderful thing, but at UG2, we are privileged to participate in everyday relationships and interactions that are a true representation of so many backgrounds. From sharing traditional recipes over a lunch break to appreciating a coworker’s photos from home to hearing about a lesser-known holiday celebration to learning a new word or phrase in another language, we revel in opportunities to truly know one another. We learn about one another’s families and cheer on important milestones, share positive messages when we know someone is struggling and lift one another up when we can.
At the heart of it is knowing that when we come to work, we get to bring our whole selves, and we will be celebrated for the unique experiences, talents and insights we bring to our professional roles.