Focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (D&EI) is a dedicated and continuous effort, creating unique value for our customers, employees, business partners, and the community. Embracing DE&I enhances our ability to achieve our mission, enabling customers’ peace of mind, and financial stability.
In 2021, our Executive Leadership Team wrote and signed a DE&I commitment and pledge, committing to fighting discrimination in the workplace for our employees and our customers. We believe we all have a role to play to advance the Bank’s efforts to fulfill this commitment: to share experience, listen intently, ask questions, and be open to new perspectives.
Our belief and commitment
Modeling the values and beliefs that lead to a more equitable community is not only the right thing to do, but it is the right thing to do for our business. This commitment to eliminate barriers and provide fair treatment extends across the organization. It applies to all of us regardless of where we come from, what we look like, or who we love. Embracing diversity is a critical element of achieving the Bank’s mission and vision. It is an important component of celebrating our long-term success.
We all have a role to play to advance the Bank’s efforts to fulfill this commitment. This obligation requires us to share experiences, be empathetic, ask questions, listen intently to the answers, and be open to new perspectives. We need the courage to speak out in a respectful way, and consistently appreciate the contributions each team member brings to Westfield Bank.
Our pledge
We expect our leaders and our employees to pledge their support and fully embrace the Bank’s commitment to create an inclusive culture, and further, to consistently model the values and behaviors that promote greater diversity, equity, and inclusion. We expect our leaders to reflect the commitment in business initiatives, and to provide equitable mentoring, coaching, and development in order to drive the recruitment, retention, and advancement of diverse employees.
Employee council
In 2021, we formed the DEI Employee Council to support the organization’s DE&I strategic goals, with support from the executive leadership team. The council is made up of a cross-section of employees and business units who serve as DE&I ambassadors across the organization. The council works to move Westfield Bank forward on the following goals:
- Investing in knowledge and awareness to open our hearts and minds
- Promoting a culture that embraces the uniqueness of each person
- Enhancing our recruiting process to improve equitable hiring, retention, and promotional practices, especially for persons of color
We believe our DE&I work is evolutionary and as such, the goals and strategy will continue to evolve. By engaging a broad group of employees, we believe it will help connect our DE&I efforts to the broader business-driven growth strategies of the organization as a whole.
