Technology

Study Reveals the Effect of Bias Interrupters on Corporate America’s DEI Goals

Published

2 years ago

July 11, 2024

NEW YORK, July 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Bias within business systems like hiring and performance evaluations poses significant risks for both employees and organizations. That is according to a new report by The Conference Board in partnership with the Equality Action Center (EAC).

Among the negative effects of this workplace bias, the report highlights the financial impact on companies. It can cause high attrition rates, costing up to 150% of an employee’s annual salary, as well as decrease employee engagement, potentially reducing productivity by as much as 20%.

While diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) has been a growing focus in corporate America—with nearly $8 billion invested in corporate diversity training in 2020 alone and investments expected to double by 2026—most companies do not have the metrics necessary to assess their programs’ effectiveness.

“Addressing bias that is embedded within a business’s systems and processes can seem like—and often is—a daunting task. Companies can move the needle in a meaningful way by treating it like any other business challenge: analyze the data, understand the problem, plan interventions and course corrections, assess the results, and evaluate progress,” said Diana Scott, US Human Capital Center Leader at The Conference Board.

As revealed in the report, companies can make significant strides toward tackling workplace discrimination by implementing the ‘Bias Interrupters’ framework—an approach based on evidence, action, and commitment. It shares the findings of a two-year project by EAC and The Conference Board applying the framework to the systems and processes of select Members of The Conference Board Human Capital Center, made possible by a grant from Walmart. The study provides insights into using Bias Interrupters in the hiring process, performance evaluations, and access to career-enhancing work.

“The good news is that Bias Interrupters not only help businesses make year-over-year progress towards their inclusion goals; they also are the best way to control for legal risk,” said EAC Director Joan C. Williams, a law professor at University of California Law SF.

Additional findings include:

There’s a business case for using Bias Interrupters in corporate America.

Workplace bias leads to attrition, which is expensive—often 150% of a worker’s annual salary.Workplace bias decreases employee engagement, reducing productivity by roughly 20%.

Billions are being invested in corporate diversity training, but assessment of these programs’ effectiveness trails.

US corporations spent almost $8 billion on diversity training in 2020 alone. This number is projected to more than double by 2026.Most companies do not have the metrics necessary to assess their programs’ effectiveness.

Traditional diversity training often doesn’t work—but Bias Interrupters do.

DEI workshops can be impactful but cannot interrupt bias built into business systems.

Interrupting bias in the hiring process allows organizations to select the most qualified candidates.

Metrics help determine whether (and where) certain candidates are falling out of the funnel.It is important to keep track of who applies; who comes in through referrals; who makes it through resume review; who makes it through interviews; and who gets the final offer.The results: In just a few months’ time, the Bias Interrupters framework increased job offers to men of color by 6 percentage points.

Interrupting bias in performance evaluations leads to better-quality, fairer evaluations.

Companies should develop specific competency criteria that translates to evidence-based and action-oriented feedback.The results: Bias Interrupters increased evidence-based feedback by 44-52 percentage points.

Interrupting bias in access to opportunities requires keeping track of both career-enhancing work and non-promotable office housework.

Access to high-profile, career-enhancing work is essential for employees to succeed in the workplace. Organizations that want to guarantee their top talent has access to career-enhancing work should keep track of these opportunities—and make changes when they see bias.Low profile “office housework”—which encompasses everything from finding a time to meet, cleaning the cups, to doing routine keeping-the-trains running work—will not typically lead to promotion.The results: Bias Interrupters eliminated the bias against women in access to career-enhancing core technical work from 13 percentage points to zero. The results: Bias Interrupters eliminated the bias against women of color doing more non-promotable office housework from 27 percentage points to zero.

About The Conference Board
The Conference Board is the member-driven think tank that delivers Trusted Insights for What’s Ahead™. Founded in 1916, we are a non-partisan, not-for-profit entity holding 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt status in the United States. www.ConferenceBoard.org

Equality Action Center
Equality Action Center at UC Law SF seeks to advance racial, gender, and class equality in the workplace and in politics. Our initiatives address inequality at a structural level with concrete, evidence-based interventions. We lead programs that cultivate leadership and level the playing field for everyone. Our focus is pragmatic: our rigorous research is linked with practical steps to produce social or organizational change within a two- to five-year time frame.

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SOURCE The Conference Board

Technology

Holderness & Bourne Tees Up eCommerce Growth with Barrett Distribution Centers

Published

28 minutes ago

June 19, 2026

FRANKLIN, Mass., June 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Barrett Distribution Centers, a leading third-party logistics provider specializing in eCommerce fulfillment, announced a new partnership with Holderness & Bourne, a premium lifestyle brand known for its sophisticated men’s golf apparel and commitment to quality craftsmanship.

“Having worked with Barrett previously, I knew they had the experience, flexibility and operational expertise we needed as our business continued to grow,” said Sean Eaton, director of operations at Holderness & Bourne. “Their team’s responsiveness, strategic location and ability to quickly scale a solution made them the right partner to support our inventory and fulfillment requirements. We’re excited to continue building on that relationship as our business evolves.”

Barrett’s extensive experience supporting apparel and accessory brands, combined with its ability to provide scalable warehouse space, technology solutions and managed transportation services, positioned the company to support Holderness & Bourne’s expedited onboarding and future growth initiatives.

“Barrett is thrilled to step onto the fairway with Holderness & Bourne, a fast-growing premium golf apparel brand with a recognizable name and a loyal following among golfers who know quality when they see it,” said Mark Healy, vice president of customer solutions at Barrett. “Holderness & Bourne’s commitment to quality and customer satisfaction aligns perfectly with our focus on delivering dependable, flexible and scalable fulfillment solutions. We look forward to supporting their continued growth and serving as a trusted partner for years to come.”

Holderness & Bourne is now live at Barrett’s Hillsborough, N.J., fulfillment facility, where Barrett provides inventory staging and replenishment services in support of the brand’s New York operations. Located near Holderness & Bourne’s headquarters, the facility offers the space, technology and transportation resources needed to support the brand’s continued growth.

About Holderness & Bourne

Holderness & Bourne is a premium lifestyle brand focused on men’s golf apparel. It was founded around 2015 by Alex Holderness and John Bourne and centers on classic, refined golf-inspired style with modern fit and performance. Discover sophisticated, modern golf apparel crafted with premium fabrics designed for performance and comfort on the course and off. If you’re seeking golf apparel brands that prioritize craftsmanship and timeless design, our commitment to quality and fit speaks for itself. 

About Barrett Distribution Centers

Since 1941, Barrett has provided customized third-party logistics (3PL), direct-to-consumer (DTC) eCommerce fulfillment, omnichannel distribution, managed transportation solutions and retail compliance for clients across all industries, with a focus on apparel & footwear, health & beauty, consumer packaged goods (CPG) and education. Barrett continues to be a leading 3PL provider in North America, known for superior execution, customer engagement and direct access to senior leadership decision-makers. As a member of Inc.’s fastest-growing companies list 15+ times, Barrett is big enough to do the job and still small enough to deeply care about your business. Brands interested in a new 3PL partnership may contact Barrett directly here.

Media Contact:

Faith Artieda
Marketing Content Specialist
Faith.artieda@barrettdistribution.com

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SOURCE Barrett Distribution Centers Inc.

Technology

Trial Attorney Clint Zalas of South Bend Explains Why Cases Often Take Longer Than Expected for HelloNation

Published

28 minutes ago

June 19, 2026

SOUTH BEND, Ind., June 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Why do personal injury cases take longer than many people expect? A HelloNation article answers this question with insights from Personal Injury Attorney Clint Zalas of Lee & Zalas, P.C. in South Bend. The article explains that while delays can feel frustrating, the personal injury case timeline often protects injured individuals by ensuring accuracy and fairness in the settlement process.

The first factor the article discusses is investigation. A strong case requires photographs, medical records, witness statements, and sometimes expert evaluations. Collecting and reviewing this accident recovery evidence takes time, but it strengthens the foundation of the claim. If attorneys or claimants rush through this stage, they risk weakening the case and limiting the eventual injury settlement.

Medical treatment delays also extend the personal injury case timeline. According to the HelloNation article, the true scope of injuries often reveals itself over weeks or months. Recovery may require physical therapy, surgery, or long-term care. Settling before treatment concludes can prevent injured parties from recovering fair compensation for future expenses. Once finalized, an injury settlement cannot be reopened to account for additional medical costs or lost wages.

Insurance company negotiations create another layer of complexity. Adjusters carefully review claims, request documentation, and sometimes demand independent medical evaluations. Each exchange between the injured party and the insurer adds time. However, as the article explains, these negotiations help ensure that the settlement reflects the full cost of accident recovery rather than a rushed or incomplete figure.

The HelloNation feature warns against quick settlements. While they may feel satisfying at first, they often fail to cover long-term needs. For example, an injury that initially appears temporary may become chronic. Lost wages may continue if the person cannot return to work. By waiting, injured individuals make sure these realities factor into their personal injury litigation or settlement discussions.

Court schedules can also extend the process. If a case enters litigation, hearings, depositions, and trial dates must align with the court’s availability. This stage can be time-consuming, but it applies pressure on insurance companies to negotiate fairly. Many cases settle before trial, yet the possibility of litigation serves as an important safeguard in achieving full compensation.

The article highlights how expectations often differ from reality. Many people assume they will receive a check within weeks of filing a claim. In truth, personal injury law prioritizes fair compensation over speed. A thorough personal injury case timeline ensures that accident recovery costs, medical treatment delays, and future expenses are considered.

The HelloNation article also explains that rushing to accept an early offer can leave individuals paying for expenses they never anticipated. Quick settlements often fail to account for ongoing therapy, future surgeries, or extended time away from work. Building a complete case with medical documentation and evidence, though time-consuming, gives claimants the strongest chance of receiving a fair settlement.

Patience plays a key role throughout the process. The article states that waiting allows the injured person, their attorney, and the insurance company to see the full impact of the accident. While the delays can feel difficult, they ultimately protect the injured party from being pressured into unfair agreements. In personal injury litigation, accuracy ensures justice, even if it requires more time.

The article concludes that while a long personal injury case timeline can surprise claimants, it serves an important purpose. By gathering strong evidence, completing medical treatment, and negotiating thoroughly with the insurance company, injured people give themselves the best chance at full and fair compensation. A slower process often delivers a more secure outcome.

The full article, titled Why Personal Injury Cases Often Take Longer Than Expected, features the expertise of Personal Injury Expert Clint Zalas of Lee & Zalas, P.C. in South Bend and appears on HelloNation.

About HelloNation

HelloNation is a premier media platform that connects readers with trusted professionals and businesses across various industries. Through its innovative “edvertising” approach that blends educational content and storytelling, HelloNation delivers expert-driven articles that inform, inspire, and empower. Covering topics from home improvement and health to business strategy and lifestyle, HelloNation highlights leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities.

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SOURCE HelloNation

Technology

Surfshark enhances its proprietary Dausos protocol to boost connectivity

Published

28 minutes ago

June 19, 2026

VILNIUS, Lithuania, June 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Surfshark, a leading privacy protection company, has released a major upgrade to its proprietary VPN protocol, Dausos. This latest update drastically improves accessibility, connectivity rates, and network compatibility for users worldwide.

The primary focus of this update is to address the barriers on highly managed networks. Previously, users might have experienced difficulties connecting to Dausos on strict institutional firewalls — such as those found in schools, universities, and corporate environments. With this release, Surfshark has successfully implemented specialized network fixes, ensuring that Dausos has a better connectivity rate for users connecting in these environments.

“We want as many people as possible to experience the power of Dausos, which is why continuous improvement is our priority,” says Karolis Kaciulis, Leading System Engineer at Surfshark. “Responding directly to user feedback, this update fixes the connectivity issues some experienced in certain network environments.”

Surfshark Dausos: key benefits of the new protocol

Surfshark’s proprietary Dausos protocol revolutionizes the consumer VPN industry by delivering up to 30% faster speeds than current industry standards while future-proofing user privacy for the quantum era.

Unlike traditional VPNs that consolidate traffic through a single interface, Dausos is an audited architecture that automatically isolates user data into its own dedicated, private digital tunnel, eliminating packet interference and optimizing performance based on real-time network conditions.

On the security front, Dausos establishes full post-quantum security by utilizing a hybrid ML-KEM*X25519 key exchange and an advanced ML-DSA self-signed root certificate system to protect against future quantum computing threats. Furthermore, the protocol goes beyond standard security measures by integrating post-compromise security (ensuring compromised keys cannot leak future session data), port randomization to obscure connection paths, and high-speed AEGIS-256X2 cryptographic encryption for robust data integrity.

ABOUT SURFSHARK

Surfshark is a cybersecurity company offering products including an audited VPN, certified antivirus, data leak warning system, private search engine, and a tool for generating an online identity. Recognized as a leading VPN by CNET and TechRadar, Surfshark has also been featured on the FT1000: Europe’s Fastest Growing Companies ranking. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Surfshark has offices in Lithuania and Poland. For information on Surfshark’s operations and highlights, read our Annual Wrap-up. For more research projects, visit our research hub.

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SOURCE Surfshark B.V.