Employees often bring emotional issues to work … Examples range from having political views that lead to arguments on the plant floor to concerns about hate crimes/discrimination. Other times it’s personal … worries about a broken relationship or a family illness can generate stress – and undermine staff morale. Employers can help tackle these problems by providing staff with a “safe space” to work through their stress – and if necessary get them outside help. The issue of stress management was the focus of a Nov. 3 webinar facilitated by Kortney Overzet, chair of TRSA’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Committee. This hour-long discussion drew 20-plus attendees to look at steps that employers can take to help reduce workplace stress.

If you treat your employees with dignity and respect, then a “zero tolerance” stance on harassment or discriminatory behavior at work follows naturally, said Melanie Shong Helm, an HR expert who addressed the second session of the three-part “Safe Space Series” on Oct. 4 sponsored by TRSA’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Committee.

Due to power outages as a result of Hurricane Ian, TRSA rescheduled its Workplace Harassment Interactive Virtual Workshop to Oct. 4 at 1:30 p.m. EDT. The workshop is the second offering in TRSA’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Safe Space Series sponsored by Strategic In/Sight Partners.

We’ve all been on flights where the flight attendant tells you that if there’s a loss of air pressure, oxygen masks will drop and you’re supposed to put your mask on first before assisting anyone else.

Specialists in either safety/health or human resources, or generalists responsible for both, found abundant common ground May 17 at TRSA’s HR, Health & Safety Summit in Chicago. All benefited from practical, hands-on analysis of trends, issues and techniques they could use to improve their corporate cultures. They went home with numerous ideas thanks to presentations specific to the industry or covering best practices from other industries, as well as peer-to-peer sharing.

More than 30 individuals representing TRSA supplier partner member companies responded positively to an email appeal to complete a checklist attesting to their companies’ adherence to principles of the United Nations (UN) Global Compact. This supports linen, uniform and facility services operators in presenting their customers with evidence of their suppliers’ commitments to corporate social responsibility (CSR).

The Roscoe Co., a Chicago-based independent industrial launderer, formally marked its centennial on April 16 with a dinner program at the Drake Hotel downtown. The celebration – delayed by COVID-19 concerns – highlighted the family-owned company’s roots in the North Lawndale community on the city’s west side, which has faced social and economic challenges in recent decades.

TRSA members and staff participated in International Women’s Day’s #BreakTheBias campaign on March 8. The campaign strives to create a world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination where differences are valued and celebrated. Participants were encouraged to submit images striking the #BreakTheBias pose, with their arms crossed to form an “X.”

Ecolab has received a perfect score of 100% on the 2022 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), designating it as one of the “Best Places to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality.” The CEI is a national benchmarking survey and report on corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ+ workplace equality, administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. This is the 10th consecutive year that Ecolab has received a perfect score on the CEI, according to a news release.

Leading women executives in the linen, uniform and facility services industry recently gathered for a virtual discussion titled, “Women in Textile Services Roundtable: Stronger Together and Harnessing the ‘Power of Wishing Out Loud.’” The roundtable was led by Lisa Ong, an experienced diversity, equity and inclusion strategy consultant and executive coach.