Unum’s Post

Jesse Clifford's journey is a testament to resilience and the power of support. When Kim Gonzalez, the CareerSource Suncoast Ticket to Work Representative, first reached out, Jesse was in a challenging place. She was out of work, receiving Social Security Disability (SSDI) benefits, and dedicating her time to caring for her grandmother. The thought of returning to the workforce was daunting, especially with the fear of losing her SSDI benefits. Despite her initial hesitation, Jesse's determination to improve her situation never wavered. When she felt ready to take that brave step back into employment, she reached out to Kim, still apprehensive about the potential loss of her benefits. Kim reassured Jesse that she could pursue her career aspirations without jeopardizing her benefits. Kim's guidance and belief in Jesse were pivotal. She provided essential resources, constant encouragement, and a steadfast belief in Jesse's potential. With Kim's referral, Jesse secured a position as a Revenue Specialist at the Florida Department of Revenue’s Child Support Enforcement Office. This opportunity became a turning point in Jesse's life. Today, Jesse's life is transformed. Her income has increased, her confidence has soared, and her overall well-being has significantly improved. Her story is a powerful reminder that the first step, though often the hardest, can lead to incredible transformations. Thanks to Kim and the dedicated Ticket to Work team, Jesse's journey into the unknown became a journey of empowerment and success. Learn more about the Ticket to Work program: https://bit.ly/4gPH7f0 #NationalDisabilityEmploymentAwarenessMonth #NDEAM

It’s one thing to say, “You now have a second chance.” It’s another thing to say, “You now have a second chance, and here are people who can guide you as you take clear steps to make the most of it.” Check out what our neighbors in Washington State are doing to lay a path toward successful reentry and reintegration for those in their community. #SecondChanceMonth #communitymatters #OneHeartProject https://lnkd.in/gUCYZhyA

My own experience of falling out of a very successful career was disheartening. 💔 But speaking to my fellow mums who had all had similar experiences was soul-destroying. One early conversation that really struck me was with a friend who had trained for more than seven years as a lawyer then, after a flourishing career where she flew through the ranks, had a baby. Her company were unwilling to take her back on anything less than the hours she had worked before and offered a part-time position as a paralegal. I was dumbstruck. How could this be possible? At that point the legal sector became top of my target list. What could I do to stop this happening to other amazing women? Most of you know what came next. An attempt to match mums to roles through my first company. Through that, I realised that picking at the edges wasn't going to be enough. I needed to do something bigger. Something that transformed businesses from the inside out. Enter....Careers After Babies. I did a huge piece of research into what happens to women's careers and published a report called Careers After Babies: The Uncomfortable Truth. It went viral. Hundreds of organisations reached out, shocked by the findings. With the help of some amazing experts I built a framework for how organisations could improve, looking at policy, process and practice. We launched our Careers After Babies accreditation last September. Since then I have spoken to countless organisations who know that something needs to be done to improve the support offered to working parents. You can imagine my delight when one of those organisations was a hugely influential and very well-known law firm: Mishcon de Reya LLP! Today we have formally announced that they are joining the accreditation. As a firm that truly recognises the value working parents bring to their business and their unwavering commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, we're utterly delighted to be working together. Legal sector, watch out! This beautiful partnership is the beginning of something big! #workingparents #makingchange #careersafterbabies

🏆Florida Division on Career Development and Transition (FL DCDT)- Patrick Mulvihill Making a Difference Award 🏆 In 2023, The Grow Group was awarded the Patrick Mulvihill Making a Difference Award for the positive impact garnered by our people-focused employment trainings. Each year, in honor of Patrick Mulvhill who continually demonstrates the qualities of a person making a difference in the lives of persons with disabilities throughout his career and into retirement, the Florida Division on Career Development and Transition through the “The Patrick Mulvihill Making A Difference” award. Here are some reasons why we commit to deepening our commitment to enhancing employment opportunities for all, regardless of life circumstances or physical limitations: 📉At 21.4%, Florida ranks 46th in the nation for the percentage of people with disabilities who are currently working — well below the national average of 25%. 💼Compared to all Florida counties, Hillsborough has the third-highest number of people with disabilities who are unemployed. 🔎Nearly 5,000 Hillsborough residents with hearing, vision, cognitive, and ambulatory disabilities are looking for work, but are unable to obtain or maintain employment. Source: The Able Trust/Florida Endowment Foundation for Vocational Rehabilitation, 2023. #a11y #makingadifference #employmentforall #workforcedevelopment #award

We can practice humane leadership – even in environments as intense as a state legislature. Sharing this story from my colleague Tristan Toleno who worked in the VT State Legislature for over 9 years, including serving as Assistant Majority Leader in a role of "The Whip." (Tristan and I used to co-teach a class on Applied Systems Leadership for Complex Problem-Solving in an MBA Program at Marlboro College.) This article has the fuller story, featuring the Shared Leadership framework from Global Round Table Leadership - https://lnkd.in/eYswhhDm Tristan remembers one colleague who felt particularly isolated because of her steadfast commitment to opposition to the bill as the right position for her community. She knew that the majority of her caucus would vote in support and she felt targeted for her opposition by advocates within the caucus. Though they disagreed, Tristan prioritized taking time to listen and to hear her concerns. Soon after the final vote, she tracked him down to affirm his work to make space for her voice and everyone’s contribution mattered to her. Tristan recalls: "She appreciated that I didn't belittle her when she didn't give in to the majority pressure and that I allowed her to be seen and felt as fully human before her legislator role."   Eight weeks later, the bill passed. No major language had changed. Tristan's commitment to relating first as humans before role, status, or expertise improved trust and led to a strong legislative approach to this issue. “The classic understanding of the role of the Whip is that it is part of a status and power-based system to get people to do what leadership wants. Instead, I decided to practice one of the core PIllars of Inclusion of The Shared Leadership Framework™️-- leading first with our humanity, what exists at the core of us -- before relating through roles, status, and expertise. I honored the anxiety, the worries, the frustrations, that legislators were holding during a really tough vote,” explains Tristan. “Even though I didn't get her vote, I never made her feel diminished because I wasn't using my power over her to try to make her feel small or make her do what I wanted.” Congrats Tristan on your new role as President of GRTL! #sharedleadership #tristantoleno #grtl

What an incredible synergy between employers, educators, providers, and local authority officers in the room today! This collaborative spirit shows that together, we can drive the change we aspire to see. Let's continue to push for inclusive employment, designed with everyone in mind. #DoNotBeAfraid #InclusiveEmployment #InclusiveByDesign

Wishing all the amazing dads a wonderful Father's Day weekend! Whether you're balancing work and family or supporting your loved ones in their careers, we celebrate you. Happy Father's Day! 🎉👔 #HappyFathersDay #FathersDay #FamilyFirst #WorkLifeBalance #Recruitment #RiverstoneManagement #BeAnEmployerOfChoice #skilledtradesrecruitment #skilledtradesrecruiter #skilledtrades #recruitmentconsultant

Dydd Gŵyl Dewi hapus! Happy St David’s Day! The first of March is Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Sant, or St David’s Day, the day when Wales celebrates its patron saint. A renowned preacher, his final words to his followers before his death on 1 March 589 were “Be joyful, keep the faith, and do the little things that you have heard and seen me do.” St David believed that we should “do the little things”, the small, considerate things that often make a big difference. What's one small thing you could do today that might make a big difference somewhere or to someone? - Check in with a friend or colleague you’ve not spoken to for a while? - Smile at someone as you pass them in the office or in the street? - Make someone a cuppa? - Let someone know you think they’re doing a great job? You never know how the small thing that you do might impact someone else’s day 😊 Let us know the little things that you do to make a difference. #Kindness #Wellbeing #WellbeingAtWork #Support #HR #HRCommunity #Inclusion #Recognition

Opportunity in the Miami Beach area

Have you ever seen a simple question transform lives right before your eyes? That’s exactly what happened during jury duty last week when I started a game of High, Low, Buffalo with my fellow jurors. The stories shared were eye-opening—one even sparked a life-changing job opportunity! Want to hear the full story? Watch the video and share your Highs, lows, and buffalos in the comments. #HighLowBuffalo #PowerofConnection #familytime #Connections #TransformingLives #Heartwarming #community #sharing #connectionmatters #traditions #conversationstarters #conversations