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Cincinnati, OH, April 25, 2025
Understanding Workplace Culture + Inclusion:
Why It Matters
Workplace Culture & Inclusion programs are often misunderstood, frequently reduced to buzzwords, or oversimplified. However, when effectively implemented, these initiatives have been proven to drive business success by fostering diverse, inclusive environments and prioritizing equitable opportunities. These efforts enhance innovation, improve decision-making, attract top talent, and boost employee engagement, ultimately strengthening a company’s reputation and bottom line. Let’s explore how.
Breaking Down Culture & Inclusion Misconceptions
Let’s start with what Workplace Culture & Inclusion programs aren’t. They are not about discriminating against or favoring one group over another. And contrary to some narratives, these programs are not politically driven. They’re about removing barriers that prevent talented individuals from accessing opportunities they are fully qualified for. It’s about ensuring the door is open for everyone—what happens after that depends on the individual’s own merits.
Culture & Inclusion in Action: Supporting U.S. Military Veterans
Take, for example, SMG’s Military and Veteran (MilVet) program, Operation: Hired. As an Army veteran, I can tell you firsthand that transitioning from military service to a civilian career can be very challenging. Our program helps service members and their spouses navigate that shift by connecting them with opportunities they might otherwise miss. The result? Individuals securing roles based on their skills and experience—not because of a special preference, but because the program ensured they were seen and considered in the first place.
Breaking the Cycle of Recidivism Through Meaningful Employment
Another example of Workplace Culture & Inclusion in action at SMG is our RGF Connect initiative, which helps provide opportunities for individuals who have been through the U.S. criminal justice system to get their lives back on track. For many of the more than one in three Americans with a criminal record, the lack of employment opportunities often perpetuates a cycle of recidivism. By partnering with clients who are open to offering second chances, we create pathways for these individuals to rebuild their lives and support their families. Again, all hiring decisions remain 100% merit-based—the program simply ensures that qualified candidates have an opportunity to be seen and considered.
RGF Connect: Expanding Opportunities Across All Demographics & Groups
Our efforts don’t stop there. As part of RGF Staffing, which is leading the RGF Connect program globally across all Operating Companies, our Workplace Culture & Inclusion initiatives under the RGF Connect program span a wide range of demographics, providing tailored support to help individuals overcome systemic barriers. These efforts include:
- Empowering young people without access to college by providing workforce readiness training and opportunities to help bridge the gap to professional careers.
- Supporting older workers who are often overlooked by connecting them with meaningful job opportunities that leverage their valuable experience.
- Opening doors for individuals with disabilities to opportunities previously closed to them by fostering inclusive workplaces that accommodate and empower them.
- Assisting single parents in accessing flexible and improved career opportunities that suit their unique needs.
Each initiative is designed to remove barriers that stand between people and meaningful work. The result? A more inclusive and dynamic workforce that better reflects our broader society, enhancing innovation, customer satisfaction, and business success.
The Business Case for Culture & Inclusion
The advantages of a diverse workforce go beyond social good. Research consistently shows that organizations with strong Workplace Culture & Inclusion efforts routinely outperform their less inclusive counterparts. Why? Because a variety of perspectives fuels creativity, problem-solving, and connection with a broader customer base. Workplace Culture & Inclusion programs aren’t just socially beneficial—they’re a smart business practice.
Understanding Culture & Inclusion: Why It Matters
Workplace Culture & Inclusion programs champion fairness, opportunity, and progress, ensuring talent and dedication are the true measures of success. By opening doors for those who’ve faced systemic challenges, they create stronger, more inclusive workplaces.
If you’re ready to leverage these programs to build a high-performing workforce at your organization, reach out to us today.
About Staffmark group
Staffmark Group is one of the largest staffing companies in the United States and is a portfolio company of RGF Staffing and Recruit Group, a global leader in HR technology and business solutions that is transforming the world of work, with annual revenue of $23.62 billion*. For more than 55 years, Staffmark Group has delivered the industry’s widest range of tailored workforce solutions through its family of specialty brands, including Staffmark, Advantage xPO, Advantage Technical, Hunter Hamilton, and Digital People. Operating across a network of over 400 branches and 250 onsite locations, Staffmark Group places over 175,000 talented individuals annually.
* The USD equivalent of Recruit Holdings’ FY2023 consolidated revenue of ¥3.41 trillion, calculated using the average exchange rate of 144.59 JPY/USD for FY2023.
About RGF STAFFING
RGF Staffing is a leading global HR services provider with activities in Asia Pacific, Europe, Japan, and North America. Every day more than 300,000 people work for businesses and institutions via the RGF Staffing network. RGF Staffing is part of Recruit Holdings Co., Ltd. For further information, please visit www.rgfstaffing.com.
