Hello!

Nearly four billion people worldwide tuned in for Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral on September 19. King Charles III declared the day a bank holiday for the U.K., and because the monarch is still regarded as the de facto head of state for Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese echoed the declaration. However, not all Australians chose to observe the memorial for the longest reigning monarch in history.

For First Nations Australians — the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who lived in Australia prior to British Colonization — the mourning period has been a “difficult and painful reminder of the impact of colonization” according to Linda Burney, the Minister for Indigenous Australians.

Our Simply Good article highlights one Melbourne-based company that allowed their employees to choose if they wanted to observe the holiday or not. The decision has sparked widespread conversations that are challenging employers to disrupt their traditional thinking about holidays and consider allowing employees to observe holidays based on what they value most.

Last week also encompassed Black Women’s Equal Pay Day in the United States. Check out my latest Simply Diversity article for three reasons why equal pay doesn’t actually matter (say what?).

Speaking of “disrupting,” I am kicking off my series of weekly DEI Town Halls with the theme of “Disrupt” beginning October 5th! Check out What’s Happening for more details about these events.

With appreciation,

Stacey Gordon, MBA