Wells Fargo is making sure its employees are prepared to address and resolve uncomfortable situations which may arise in and out of the workplace. The company recently partnered with Right To Be to host an intervention workshop to combat the rise in harassment and discrimination. Over 32,000 stories of harassment have been received through Right To Be, and 67 percent of people who went to the training said they have already begun using the bystander intervention skills taught in the training.
Recently, rolling out spoke with Gigi Dixon, Wells Fargo head of external engagement for diversity, equity and inclusion, about the training.
What took place in the anti-harassment workshop?
The workshop was really pretty fantastic. I’m so proud of it, and so thrilled to have been able to be a part of it. It’s supporting bystander intervention and education, with a conversation … about how we need to work hard to fight racism and injustice, and to ensure that we are not bystanders, but actively engaged in understanding how we can intervene when people are being attacked.
This cuts across all [segments]. We know there is a high instance of bullying and attacks that take place, but understanding how to be a really safe and active bystander is a good thing. That’s what this program was about.
What were some of the big takeaways from the training?
Some of the things they could do is divert attention away from the activity that’s happening without stepping in the middle of the activity in an unsafe way.
For instance, if I’m sitting on a subway, and I see that someone is approaching someone else inappropriately, I might drop my phone and that way that could divert attention away from that activity and give space or air, for there to be an exit, or for there to be a nonviolent way for that to dissipate.
What do you think hosting a training like this says about Wells Fargo?
We do believe in people. We believe in humanity, and we believe in diversity, equity and inclusion. We’re working really hard to demonstrate that, and I would just tell you I have been with Wells Fargo for 28 years for a reason.
I probably would have a pretty good chance of doing something else if that’s what I wanted to do, but I have no desire to be outside of a company that has such a strong commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, its employees, our growth, our career, our mobility, our family health, our financial health and wellbeing. I get to work in that.
When we do this kind of work that reaches communities and helps demonstrate our commitment to the health and wellbeing of that community into all the communities where our employees live and work.
Finally, I would just say that one of the most important things we all can do for each other is to listen, understand what the needs are and work very diligently to meet the needs.
