Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) leverage our core values and collective strengths, creating a thriving and successful Westfield Bank. It is a dedicated and continuous effort, creating unique value for our customers, employees, business partners, and the community. Embracing DE&I enhances our ability to achieve our mission, enabling customers’ peace of mind and financial stability.
In 2021, our Executive Leadership Team wrote and signed a DE&I commitment and pledge, committing to fighting discrimination in the workplace for our employees and our customers. We believe we all have a role to play to advance the Bank’s efforts to fulfill this commitment: to share experiences, listen intently, ask questions, and be open to new perspectives.
Our belief and commitment
Modeling the values and beliefs that lead to a more equitable community is not only the right thing to do, but it is the right thing to do for our business. This commitment to eliminate barriers and provide fair treatment extends across the organization. It applies to all of us regardless of where we come from, what we look like, or who we love. Embracing diversity is a critical element of achieving the Bank’s mission and vision. It is an important component of celebrating our long-term success.
We all have a role to play to advance the Bank’s efforts to fulfill this commitment. We need the courage to speak out in a respectful way, and consistently appreciate the contributions each team member brings to Westfield Bank.
Our pledge
We expect our leaders and our employees to pledge their support and fully embrace the Bank’s commitment to create an inclusive culture, and further, to consistently model the values and behaviors that promote greater diversity, equity, and inclusion. We expect our leaders to reflect the commitment in business initiatives, and to provide equitable mentoring, coaching, and development in
order to drive the recruitment, retention, and advancement of diverse employees.
Employee council
In 2021, we formed the DEI Employee Council to support the organization’s DE&I strategic goals, with support from the executive leadership team. The council is made up of a cross-section of employees and business units who serve as DE&I ambassadors across the organization. The council works to move Westfield Bank forward on the following goals:
1. Investing in knowledge and awareness to open our hearts and minds
2. Promoting a culture that embraces the uniqueness of each person
3. Enhancing our recruiting process to improve equitable hiring, retention, and promotional practices, especially for persons of color
We believe our DE&I work is evolutionary and as such, the goals and strategy will continue to evolve. By engaging a broad group of employees, we believe it will help connect our DE&I efforts to the broader business-driven growth strategies of the organization as a whole.
Employee resource groups
Employee resource groups (ERGs) are grassroots forums established by employees with similar interests to meet, share information, and collaborate with a focus on advancing diversity and inclusion. ERGs and the work they do support us in developing a diverse team of talented and engaged people.
Westfield Bank and our employees sponsor and support ERGs and recognize the value and benefit these groups provide to employees by:
l Offering learning and professional development opportunities
l Enabling recruitment and retention by advancing ideas that are important to employees
l Creating connections and fosters collaboration among employees
l Acting as a voice to leadership while providing visibility in the workplace
All full and part-time employees are invited to join our employee resource groups.
Women’s Network
l Purpose: To educate, inspire, and interact with women and their advocates by building a community focused on appreciating
the strengths and contributions of women as leaders in the workplace. By providing advocacy and development that enables
women to achieve their career goals, we help our organization achieve higher performance and profitability through diversity
of thought and voice.
LGBTQ+ and Allies Network
l Purpose: To assist Westfield in achieving its diversity and inclusion goals by affirming Westfield’s commitment to a
supportive, respectful environment for all, regardless of sexual orientation.
Professionals Network
l Purpose: To enhance Westfield’s corporate goal to attract, develop, empower, and retain quality people by effectively
engaging, connecting, and fostering the growth and development of Westfield’s emerging professionals.
Multicultural Network
l Purpose: To foster understanding and appreciation of cultural similarities and differences by raising awareness of Westfield’s
multicultural employee talent through education, networking, and career development.
Abilities Advocates Network
l Purpose: To further the attraction, empowerment, retention, and contributions of quality people by creating a supportive
network of employees with shared interest in issues relating to working with disabilities, workplace accessibility, as well as
matters associated with caring for and assisting others with disabilities (including those related to aging).
Patriot Network
l Purpose: To provide support for all Westfield military service members (active, guard, reserve, and veteran) and their families.
We will demonstrate to our communities that Westfield is a veteran-friendly organization.
