Brighton Health Plan Solutions: Creating a Culture of Belonging

Following high-profile acts of racial injustice and deep divisions in the national zeitgeist, including the deaths of Black Americans in police custody and acts of violence against Asian Americans, Brighton Health Plan Solutions’ leadership assembled the company’s first DEI Team. Brighton HPS’ DEI Team developed a formal strategy to support team members through challenging times and foster a safe and inclusive workplace environment.

Diversity, equity and inclusion are now integrated into company culture and reflected in Brighton HPS’ “Strategic Pillars of Diversity Commitment.” At a time when many companies are unsure how to create lasting change or are downsizing their DEI programs, Brighton HPS remains committed to building an environment of belonging and inclusivity for all life and cultural experiences, abilities, races, gender identities and more, by focusing on authenticity first and foremost.

From candidate recruitment to the interview process to an employee’s first day and beyond, Brighton HPS’ leaders set the expectation that authenticity is of critical importance and that respect for all backgrounds and perspectives is a basic requirement. Brighton HPS sets the standard that all employees should be able to express their true selves at work ̶ and that who they are is part of why they were hired.

To foster a culture of teamwork and collaboration, Brighton HPS encourages employees to be present, authentic and empathetic. Organizational leaders acknowledge DEI is constantly evolving, so they are committed to continuous learning, uplifting employee voices and deploying a flexible “adjust as you go” approach in their efforts. By supporting and encouraging diverse voices, Brighton HPS opens the door for employee input while holding all team members accountable. Team members are comfortable expressing concerns, providing feedback or offering new ideas. After implementing these strategies, Brighton HPS’ employees are more engaged and organizational performance continues to outpace expectations.