The latest federally recognized holiday in America, Juneteenth, is impacting operations at business across the country, including our very own Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer (QPWB). And that is just the kind of different we can get behind.

A Brief History of Juneteenth and It's Impact

Juneteenth is widely acknowledged in a constitutional capacity in at least 28 states and the District of Columbia, as per the Pew Research Center. This crucial event memorializes the day - June 19, 1865 - when slaves in Galveston, Texas, were enlightened about the Emancipation Proclamation.

Although Florida did not officially establish Juneteenth as a state holiday in 1991, Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach county offices and libraries will recognize it for the third consecutive year. Large corporations, including Nike, Netflix, Target, Lyft, Mastercard, and GrubHub, have also adopted Juneteenth as a corporate holiday. The International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans discloses that 30% of private firms provided Juneteenth as a paid holiday in 2022.

Firm Partner Notes Business Acknowledgement

In the wake of George Floyd's tragic death and the subsequent social justice movements, QPWB partner Trelvis D. Randolph, expressed the firm's dedication to honoring Juneteenth. He believes that the recognition of Juneteenth goes beyond the immediate benefits for employees.

Randolph, who is based in the Miami office contends, "It signals to employees that their organization is sensitive to the realities of the communities they serve. This recognition authenticates the company's understanding of issues that impact its employees and it underlines the firm's support for the cause."

Furthermore, Randolph suggests that the observance of Juneteenth can enhance empathy between employers and employees. "The acknowledgement of what's happening in the world can significantly affect an employee's contribution to a company. A bit of appreciation can go a long way," he adds.

Randolph is hopeful that conversations surrounding Juneteenth will continue to thrive in the workplace. "Progress requires intention and strategy, both in terms of the direction a company wishes to take and how it caters to its diverse workforce. Remember, the company benefits from the communities where the employees live and work, and also the communities they serve. This positively impacts customer service and improves overall staff performance," he concludes.

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