July was our Encore Employee Resource Group’s (ERG) celebration month. Throughout July, Encore held several activities for nVent employees to get involved and provided educational opportunities about ageism. At nVent, celebration months are an opportunity to honor and bring awareness to the initiatives of our ERGs.
Encore’s mission is to assist late-career nVent employees by providing a forum for learning, support and continued personal growth while embracing the experience, skills and wisdom acquired by ERG members. Their motto is “Where Experience and Wisdom are Celebrated.”
To kick off the month, Encore sent out a video from the World Health Organization which is running a global campaign to combat ageism. On nVent’s employee intranet, Encore also encouraged employees to participate in a photo submission contest showing off their 80s style. ERG members will also participate in a series of weekly trivia challenges in August. Finally, Encore hosted a guest speaker, Ashton Applewhite, who presented on ageism in the workplace. Applewhite is a writer and activist who argues that ageism is what makes ageing difficult, not the passing of time.
Ageism is a form of discrimination that involves treating an individual unfairly due to their age. This can manifest in various ways, such as overlooking older employees for promotions, making age-based jokes or assuming younger employees lack experience solely because of their age.
Ageism perpetuates stereotypes and biases that can harm workplace morale, reduce productivity and create a hostile environment. It is essential to recognize and combat ageism to ensure that all employees, regardless of their age, feel valued and respected.
At nVent, our people are at the core of our business. Our ERGs are formed by employees who share a common interest, background or experience. They are responsible for leading our employee-driven inclusion and diversity efforts. ERG leaders and members support each other, foster awareness of diversity and promote inclusion and respect throughout nVent. We are proud to be recognized by The Age Friendly Institute as a Certified Age Friendly Employer.