Lending a Helping Hand: Why Business Should Sign the Business for Refugee Pledge
Envoy Global is a signatory on the Business for Refugees pledge. We asked them why they signed the pledge and why others should join the business pledge community. Read more in the Q & A below:
Why did your business choose to sign the Businesses for Refugees pledge?
Currently, the world has over 25 million refugees. They have been displaced by natural disasters, pandemics, war, and other maladies. Refugees flee their home countries on a daily basis and often travel far from home in search of a better life and more opportunities. For those who make their way to the United States, Envoy stands ready to help. Immigrants bring their unique influences to our communities across the country. They are motivated, eager to learn, and willing to work hard, and we value them as friends, neighbors and employees. We recognize the holistic benefits that supporting new American brings to our country, and it is our goal to help them succeed personally and professionally.
Historically, and in the present time as we recover from the impacts of a global pandemic, immigrants are critical to the success of our domestic workforce. Immigrants make significant contributions the U.S. economy, as well as our own business. They bring valuable skills in healthcare, manufacturing, food services and other vital industries. Our company was started with one core idea that still shapes and drives operations today: Never, ever forget that there are people behind every visa petition and case file. It is our pride and business to help deserving individuals realize and achieve their goals and dreams.
Our Mission Statement reflects our deep appreciation and support for diversity, inclusion and welcoming the immigrant community: “Diversity and inclusion are critical to accomplishing our mission of all people achieving their full potential. True diversity underscores our values and the work we do every day for the coalition of cultures, ethnicities and nationalities hoping to reach their potential in a new land. We strive to create a work environment that fosters an open forum and provides our team equal access to opportunities.”
By signing the Businesses for Refugees pledge, we are furthering our mission and joining a powerful group of like-minded business peers seeking positive changes to our national workforce and a stronger economy.
Why should businesses from Main Street to Wall Street join you in signing the Businesses for Refugees pledge?
Businesses of all sizes and in all sectors benefit from supporting refugees. As Envoy’s CEO Dick Burke says, “immigrants also play a key role in the economy, and as the U.S. faces an uncertain road to recovery in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, this is no time to turn our back on valuable members of our workforce.”
Even before the global pandemic, immigrants have been instrumental in supporting the U.S. economy and helping companies grow. They have been particularly critical in the technology, manufacturing, and healthcare industries. Immigrants are also responsible for establishing many successful start-ups in the U.S., and they have an overwhelmingly entrepreneurial spirit. In 2017, economist Bill Kerr noted that immigrants held 29% of all U.S. patents, and over 25% of U.S. entrepreneurs were born overseas. Removing barriers to entry will help bring more skilled workers into the country, which is also a win for businesses.
What does this show of support for refugees mean to your business?
We view supporting refugees as a great investment for our business. By signing the Businesses for Refugees pledge, we deepen our commitment and dedication to supporting immigrant populations in our workforce and communities across the U.S. We recognize the value they bring to our country and the many contributions that they will make. Envoy is already part of the Coalition for the American Dream, which is a coalition that supports bipartisan legislation to protect the rights of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients and provide them with a bright path in the future. The Coalition includes over 100 of the country’s top trade associations and businesses, and signing this pledge will help further our initiatives to support individuals from around the world in their quest for a new life and better opportunities on U.S. soil.
What should your signature on the pledge signal to your clients and to the public?
Signing the pledge shows that we are more than just a tech company in Chicago, IL. Our hope is to show our compassion and humanitarian values, which have been fundamental parts of our business since day one. In this current time of tumult and uncertainty, we understand that now more than ever, lending a helping hand to others in need is an especially honorable and essential action.
The business sector is seen as ethical and competent and is currently viewed at the most trusted institution in the United States, according to the Edelman Trust Barometer. How can signing the pledge help to advance public support of refugees with this in mind?
For over a year, the world has collectively faced one of the most significant and unprecedented healthcare crises of our time. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to distrust in many core institutions, including government and banking, and it has led to the spread of misinformation around the world. However, the business sector has emerged as a beacon of hope. Among the four institutions studied in the Edelman Trust Barometer (which are business, government, media and NGOs), the business sector is viewed around the world as the most trusted institution, with a 61% percent trust rating according to Edelman’s polls, and it is also considered the most ethical. It’s in our hands to lead the way on addressing societal issues and community issues, which in turn can influence positive changes in our economy and the socio-political policies that govern our nation. By signing the pledges, companies will join a pact of like-minded peers seeking to provide reliable and trustworthy information, which is essential for overcoming our national and global societal issues.
What other concrete ways can businesses support refugees in their communities in addition to signing the pledge?
Luckily, there are many great opportunities for businesses to support refugees within their communities. One, which is mutually beneficial, is to provide refugees with employment opportunities. As a whole, refugees are hard-working, talented and motivated workers. They bring valuable experience, talent, and skills from their native countries that translate effortlessly into the employment world. Refugee workers are also instrumental for building a company’s workforce, as they can help recruit other equally dedicated refugee workers. Forming key partnerships with other local organizations is another way for businesses to help refugees in their communities. For instance, a company can pair with a local nonprofit organization to provide refugees with the resources they need to find work, such as access to training programs, language programs, and even the internet.
Lastly, businesses can also help refugees by advocating for their rights. Regulatory barriers and hurdles often prevent refugees from owning businesses, working and even opening bank accounts. On their own and through forming partnerships, businesses can support policies that create an inclusive atmosphere for refugees. This support has the potential to influence policy making at the local, state and national levels.