H and R Block issued the following announcement.
H&R Block (NYSE: HRB) has released new social impact goals for 2025 highlighted in its first corporate responsibility report, which outlines how the company continues to live out its Purpose to provide help and inspire confidence in clients and communities everywhere. The inaugural report addresses the areas where H&R Block seeks to play an important role in society, including through its community impact platform, Make Every Block Better; commitments to diversity, inclusion and belonging through the Belonging@Block initiative; and its Equality Action Plan where the company pledges to do its part to end systemic racism.
“We’re excited to share this self-evaluation of how well we’re living out our Purpose as we work in communities, strive to build a culture of belonging and take an ethical approach to our business operations,” said Jeff Jones, president and CEO of H&R Block.
Working across the United States to Make Every Block Better
Through its community impact platform, Make Every Block Better, the company is committing to more than 1 million volunteer hours by 2025, in addition to investments to help create connections among neighbors and to support small business owners. The company will also support more than 500,000 small business owners.
Building a culture of Belonging@Block
Just one year ago, the company launched Belonging@Block to focus on building a culture where every associate has a voice and sense of belonging. That work has already led to national recognition for pledging to achieve pay equity and gender equality. In 2020, H&R Block was recognized as one of the best places to work for LGBTQ equality by the Human Rights Campaign, scored 100% on the Corporate Equality Index, and joined the Catalyst CEO Champions for Change pledge to increase the representation of women, including women of color, among senior leadership.
Taking a stand to end systemic racism
In June 2020, the company announced new actions it would take to do its part to advocate for and create racial equality for all, as part of its Racial Equality Action Plan. The steps outlined in the plan include making sure those of any marginalized, underrepresented group are confident they work in an environment where they belong and can bring their complete, authentic self to work, that the company’s practices and behaviors foster a culture of opportunity for all, and that it contributes toward equality within communities across the country.
Responding to COVID-19
The company took immediate action during the pandemic with the well-being of associates, clients, and communities top of mind, including offering free tax preparation for frontline workers, providing absence benefits for seasonal associates and launching a small business recovery service.
“All of these efforts, and others, are why I continue to be so hopeful for the future of our company, our country and our world,” said Jones. “The resiliency we have demonstrated, and continue to demonstrate, will serve all of us well as we take on the challenges of tomorrow.”
For more information and to see the full report, visit: MakeEveryBlockBetter.com.
Original source can be found here.
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