Race Forward Launches Interactive Tool on Race and Gender Employment Inequities

NEW YORK, June 16, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Race Forward yesterday announced the launch of "Clocking-In," an interactive, multimedia tool that highlights racial and gender inequities in the restaurant, retail, and domestic industries. Based on the real life experiences of workers across the United States, "Clocking-In" brings data, stories, and resources to support the collective action for fair treatment at work. "Clocking-In" (clockingin.raceforward.org) was produced by Race Forward in partnership with Restaurant Opportunities Centers United (ROC), Retail Action Project (RWDSU), and National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA).

Race Forward's "Clocking-In" project shows how people of color and women make up the majority of the low-wage workforce in restaurant, retail, and domestic industries and are disproportionately affected by unfair policies and practices related to wages, hours, mobility, and benefits.

"People of color and women are hit the hardest when they clock into service jobs that don't allow them to provide for their families." said Race Forward President Rinku Sen. "These unfair results are often a direct result of implicit racial and gender bias, not a natural consequence or a necessary by-product of capitalism. This needs to be addressed by employers, policy makers, consumers, as well as workers. We have the power to collectively create good jobs for all workers by supporting fair work practices."

"Clocking-In" provides:

• Data showing racial and gender breakdown of income, poverty levels, and job types from 1980-2012.
• Examples that show how workers from the restaurant, retail, and domestic sectors who are denied living wages, full benefits, fair schedules, opportunities for advancement are harmed.
• Action & Resources to end workplace discrimination, ways for workers to get engaged and know their rights, and for consumers to support worker campaigns and take action in their daily lives.
• Solutions for racial and gender equity in the workplace are included throughout the "Clocking-In" site and include:

Connecting with workers' organizations ROC United, Retail Action Project, and NDWA to learn about workers' rights, share stories, and advocate for fair treatment at work.
Campaigns for increases in minimum wage, paid sick days, pay equity, protections from discrimination, workers' rights to organize, removing barriers to unionization.
Consumer support of ethical businesses that treat workers fairly, noticing workers and working conditions, and bringing potential problems or good practices to the manager's attention.

• Sharing "Clocking-In" tool far and wide to raise awareness of racial and gender inequities in the workplace and advance solutions.

Race Forward's "Clocking-In" website is clockingin.raceforward.org, and there is a supporting Tumblr clockinginraceforward.tumblr.com for workers to submit their experiences, share success, and upload photos. On Tuesday June 23rd, Race Forward will host a Google Hangout with partner organizations ROC, RAP, and NDWA to introduce #ClockingIn, how to navigate the site, and discuss why the tool is important. There will also be ongoing Facebook and Twitter engagement with @raceforward and hashtag #clockingin, with a Twitter chat the week of July 6th.

Media Contact:
Rebekah Spicuglia
[email protected]

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SOURCE Race Forward: The Center for Racial Justice Innovation

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