Purposeful Partnerships: How Empower Work and Pinterest are working together to improve wellbeing at work
Jaime-Alexis Fowler, Founder and Executive Director of Empower Work sits down with Kathy Gu, Purpose Partnerships Lead at Pinterest, to discuss Empower Work and Pinterest’s new partnership and the shared commitment to supporting worker wellbeing.
5 Black Women Activists in the Labor Movement That Paved the Way
Black History Month is an important time to celebrate the achievements and triumphs of the Black community. This year’s focus for Black History Month is Black Health and Wellness which calls for workplaces to respect and prioritize the health and safety of Black employees. Workplace health and safety conditions have been an issue that the Black community has fought for since long before our time. Among these activists were the unsung Black women who fought for Labor Rights - women like Coretta Scott King, Nannie Helen Burroughs, Lucy Parsons, Sylvia Woods, and Dora Lee Jones. Although workplace equity still has a long way to go, we have a movement and a legacy to be inspired by, thanks to the Black women activists who paved the way.
We've exchanged nearly 200,000 messages with U.S. workers since March 2020. Here's what we've learned.
As we recognize Labor Day 2021, 18 months have passed since the COVID-19 pandemic emerged across the world and upended workplaces here at home. At Empower Work, we talk directly every day with workers who reach out for support in moments of distress, and we’ve exchanged nearly 200,000 messages since March 2020. Through thousands of vulnerable moments shared, we have a unique view into what people are facing—and what we can do to support them.
It Started With a Question and 60 Fliers
One year ago, I sent a file to print — 60 fliers I’d thrown together to test an idea. The idea had been sparked by a question: why wasn’t there an easily accessible resource for people facing work challenges?
As Empower Work began reaching people, we found what was tough for people varied widely — microaggressions, ethical decisions or questions, run-ins with managers, gaslighting, bullying, sexual innuendo, difficulties managing up, being sidelined or worked around, job transitions, harassment, discrimination…the list went on.
The Empower Work approach is based on researched-backed best practices in coaching and counseling. Our peer counselors go through a robust application, screening, and training where they learn to hold space to discuss what people are facing and ask succinct, informed questions that help people go from feeling backed into a corner with no options, to multiple pathways ahead of them. If needed, we connect people to additional resources ranging from legal information to meditation apps. All of our resources are vetted in line with our mission — free, accessible, inclusive.