DEI Episodes

As organizations respond to shifting federal guidance and growing scrutiny around DEI, many are scaling back their efforts due to uncertainty or fear. But what if the real risk isn’t doing too much, but not doing enough? In this episode of Disability@Work, host Ashley Sims sits down with Dr. ClauDean Kizart—education leader, author of Beyond Implicit and Explicit Bias, and founder of Lightwork Equitable Solutions—to unpack what’s actually changing, what’s being misunderstood, and where employers may be getting it wrong. Together, they explore why inclusion should never have been treated as a standalone program, how longstanding civil rights protections continue to shape workplace responsibilities, and what practical, compliant inclusion looks like today. Dr. Kizart also challenges leaders to rethink equity, prioritize lived experience in decision-making, and move beyond performative efforts toward real, sustainable change. If your organization is navigating uncertainty around…

In this episode of Disability@Work, host Ashley Sims breaks down job hugging—a growing workplace trend where employees stay in roles they might otherwise leave because uncertainty feels too risky. This isn’t quiet-quitting or a lack of ambition. It’s a rational response to economic instability, layoffs, AI disruption, DEI rollbacks, and declining psychological safety at work. Drawing on findings from the 2026 Disability at Work Report, Ashley explores why disabled employees are especially likely to job hug, how fear around disclosure and accommodations shapes career decisions, and why low turnover does not equal engagement. The episode also challenges employers to rethink what job hugging signals about trust, inclusion, and workplace systems. Whether you’re an employer trying to understand shifting workforce behavior or an employee feeling stuck for practical reasons, this conversation offers critical insight into how safety, trust, and accessibility shape career mobility today.