Group of employees sitting at a table looking at a presentation

Our Internal Commitments to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Our Internal Commitments to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Customer Service

  • We strive to deliver the best in customer service by understanding the varied needs of each of our customers. We hold ourselves to a high standard, improving through self-evaluation and training our workforce to effectively communicate with New York’s diverse populations.
  • We have developed multiple customer service trainings focusing on cultural competency, disability awareness and gender inclusivity to help our employees better serve all customers.
  • Our supervisor and management trainings are designed to help leaders recognize the value of diversity and inclusion. We expect our leaders to be culturally informed, look for common ground and make sure they are tailoring their approach to their employees’ specific needs.

Hiring Practices

  • Our personnel office has utilized the Department of Civil Service’s Professional Career Opportunities – Diversity Management Option list since its inception. This list targets candidates who have self-identified as having worked with diverse populations.
  • We strategically target the advertising of job opportunities within DOL by sharing recruitment opportunities with other State Agency Human Resources offices, Diversity and Inclusion staff, local community-based organizations, churches, and a wide variety of social media platforms.
  • We canvass Civil Service’s 55b/c portal, advertising available positions to veterans and candidates with disabilities and veterans, respectively.

Employee Support

  • We support Employee Resource Groups to foster a diverse, inclusive workplace where members can build community, discuss meaningful topics in a welcoming setting, and contribute to each other’s personal and professional development.
  • We promote NY’s Telecommuting Program to increase flexibility, allowing access to a more diverse group of candidates and improving the overall experience for employees with diverse perspectives and experiences. 
  • We have been revamping all agency policies and procedures to use inclusive language.
  • All our new lease buildouts include gender neutral bathrooms and expressing rooms. Where feasible, we have been adding/converting space in existing offices to meet these needs as well.