At the 2024 New Jersey State League of Municipalities (NJLM) Conference held in Atlantic City, the Center for Executive Leadership in Government (CELG) at Rutgers University hosted an enlightening panel on human resource strategies for creating inclusive workplaces. The session, titled "Human Resources for the Public Manager: Creating an Inclusive Workplace," brought together HR experts and municipal leaders to explore the pressing challenges of recruitment, retention, and diversity in local government.
Key Highlights of the Panel
The discussion underscored the critical role of inclusivity in fostering a dynamic and effective workforce. It explored strategies to help municipal managers attract skilled professionals while building work environments that reflect community diversity. The panel emphasized practical HR practices such as bias-free recruitment, inclusivity training, and cultural competency development. Specific legal frameworks, including federal and New Jersey state employment laws, were outlined to help managers ensure compliance and equity.
Panelists and Their Contributions
The panel featured esteemed speakers, including:
- Shino G. John, Associate Vice President, Rutgers Division of Continuing Studies, who shared actionable strategies for improving workplace culture.
- Linda J. Niedweske, J.D., a legal expert from Niedweske Barber Hager, LLC, who highlighted the legal aspects of DEI and HR compliance.
- Dr. Tricia Nolfi, Rutgers–Camden lecturer, who discussed integrating inclusivity into everyday management practices to enhance organizational outcomes.
Practical Takeaways
Participants left with a toolkit for promoting inclusivity, including methods for creating employee resource groups, implementing flexible workplace policies, and fostering open communication. By prioritizing inclusivity, managers can enhance employee engagement, reduce turnover, and improve decision-making processes, benefiting both staff and the communities they serve.
For those seeking deeper engagement with these concepts, CELG offers professional development opportunities such as the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Public Managers certificate program and the Human Resources for the Public Manager: Creating an Inclusive Workplace certificate program. The Center also offers a Mini-Master of Public Administration™ (Mini-MPA™) certificate and Strategic Communications for Public Leaders certificate.
This event showcased CELG’s commitment to equipping public managers with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate today’s complex workforce challenges while fostering inclusive communities.
For more information about our program offerings, visit the CELG website.