What is your mission statement for diversity, equity and inclusion?

HCSC aims to foster a diverse work environment where all employees are valued and enabled to positively contribute to our business objectives and are recognized and rewarded accordingly. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion have proven critical as we strive to remain connected. At HCSC, we celebrate our diverse backgrounds, cultures and experiences, believing they are vital to our success. Each employee’s perspective contributes to better solutions and greater outcomes for our members.

Please give an overview of current D&I efforts (please include any metrics to support impact)

For more than two decades, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) has been part of the foundation of our organization. We have an infrastructure that supports our business and have developed programming, goals and actions to establish HCSC’s solid external reputation on DE&I. As our business and our industry evolve, we are developing a deeper and more customized approach to diversity, equity and inclusion at HCSC. We seek to differentiate ourselves on how we attract, engage, develop, grow and retain talent that understands, relates to and is in service of our members.

Our impact can be seen through the following:

• We currently have nine active business resource groups (BRG) with 45 chapters throughout our five plan states and almost 6,000 employees engaged in a group. From 2018 to 2020, our BRG membership increased 90%. Our BRGs serve as a useful tool in recruiting diverse talent, raising awareness of various cultures, fostering business relationships with clients and suppliers while further engaging our employees in diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
• We have been recognized externally through awards such as G.I. Jobs: Military Friendly Employers Designation and Bronze Status, 2020 Best Employers for Women, and Diversity MBA 50 Out Front: Best Places for Women and Diverse Managers to Work. HCSC has also been awarded a score of 100 on the Disability: IN Disability Equality Index and on the Human Rights Campaign’s (HRCs) Corporate Equality Index. Forbes also recognized HCSC as a Best Employer for Diversity and Best in State Employer in Illinois and Texas.
• In 2020 we relaunched our Unleashed Diversity Speaker Series: Culture, Conversation, Empowerment. The series aims to create a culture of dialogue by taking a deeper dive into many of the traditional and nontraditional topics of DE&I. Sessions are virtual so all HCSC employees have the opportunity to engage and participate.

What shift have you made to be more inclusive and create a sense of belonging with the pandemic and social justice issues impacting the workforce?

HCSC’s Center for Diversity and Inclusion transitioned in 2020, becoming the Center for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (CDEI). We strive to create a diverse and inclusive environment where all employees can bring their whole authentic selves to work each day ― a place where their needs and wants to be successful are understood. To coincide with this change, our 2020 DEI required learning focused on “The Evolution to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion” and provided an in-depth perspective on the importance of equity within the workplace.

As our nation experienced a multitude of extraordinary events around social justice issues, we found it imperative to ensure our leaders were knowledgeable and equipped to have courageous conversations. We prepared a toolkit, “Standing Together,” with specific action steps leaders could take and a multitude of resources to help them prepare. Additionally, our President & CEO, our head of DEI and members of our Executive DEI Council sent a series of communications to all employees sharing personal stories on why D&I is a business imperative. The CDEI also held Unleashed Diversity Speaker Series events for all employees on topics including “Managing Bias in Times of Uncertainty,” on the effects of COVID-19 stereotyping and discrimination, “Equity and Equality” and “The Holiday Dilemma and Mental Health.”

What lessons have you learned and what words of advice can you give (especially with the current political climate)

As HCSC navigates change ― within our organization, with our customers and members, and within the world at large ― our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion is as strong as ever. We continue to make DE&I a priority and an integral part of the way we do business. We have learned that there will always be internal and external factors that affect our daily operations, but if we stay true to our purpose ― ‘To Do Everything In Our Power To Stand With Our Members In Sickness And In Health’ ― we will continue to be successful and a leader in our industry.