How employees add profound meaning to their work through RGF Connect

Shannon Shields manages and supports national accounts at Staffmark Group (SMG), one of RGF Staffing’s operating companies in the USA. A demanding role in its own right. Yet recently she took on an extra responsibility, to lead a new Business Resource Group (BRG) set up by SMG: the RGF Connect Alliance.

BRGs are networks of colleagues, sponsored by the company leadership, who initiate and execute projects in support of both the company’s internal population and external stakeholders. For example, Staffmark Group has BRGs which mobilize the talents, ideas and energy of employees with a military background, black, Hispanic and lgbtq+ colleagues, as well as a Women’s Alliance and an Interfaith Alliance.  

Reaching out to those who need help

While in many companies BRGs’ main focus is often on supporting the internal population, Staffmark Group’s BRGs are very much outward-looking, says Matt McGowan, RGF Connect Lead for SMG. “Our BRGs have been instrumental in reaching out to community partners, initiating or supporting projects aimed at supporting groups who face barriers to the labor market, from justice-impacted people to veterans, youngsters coming out of foster care, single parents and many more. For example, we also have a Health & Wellness BRG, which is called the Staffmark Group Wellness Alliance.”

The RGF Connect Alliance was set up with the explicit goal of nurturing many more such initiatives. “We offer expertise and practical support to local colleagues and BRGs who want to start up projects but may not quite know where to start,” Shannon says.

Shannon Shields: “I've always felt an affinity for people who are marginalized and who may need help to overcome prejudice. But what stood out to me at the time is how much these people had to offer. They were often the most loyal and committed candidates.”

How did she end up leading this BRG? “I was recently asked to help set up a second chance program, aimed at reintegration of people coming out of the justice system. And that program really ignited my fire. It took me back to an operational role, years ago, in which I worked a lot with people from similar backgrounds. I’ve always felt an affinity for people who are marginalized and who may need help to overcome prejudice. But what stood out to me at the time is how much these people had to offer. They were often the most loyal and committed candidates.”

Nationwide partnerships

As RGF Connect Alliance lead, Shannon is in an excellent position to help amplify the impact of Staffmark Group’s efforts. For example, the Alliance has been instrumental in forging a new partnership with CASA, a nationwide program aimed at supporting kids who have suffered abuse or neglect, including many who are in foster care. CASA volunteers are appointed by judges to advocate for children’s best interests. 

The challenges facing these young people when they age out of the system are daunting. Shannon: “Things like building up a resume, obtaining a driver's license, even very basic life skills can be a real challenge. And they may literally have no one to support them apart from the state advocate.”

CASA was seeking a nationwide partner to address these needs, and Staffmark Group stepped up. “We can not only connect these youngsters with job opportunities, but offer a whole range of support. From organizing job fairs and mock interviews to workplace readiness training and help in writing resumes,” Shannon says.

Win-win-win-wins

It’s exactly the type of comprehensive support that is on display during Staffmark Group’s Global Week of Impact activities. “We've got all kinds of activities lined up throughout the country,” says Matt. “These include trainings and workshops for candidates from disadvantaged groups, for example in resume writing, job interviews or on how to use AI to sell yourself and search for the right opportunities.”

Interestingly, not all initiatives are aimed at candidates. “We also organize workshops, trainings and panel sessions with community partners,” says Matt. “For example, one of our vice presidents is conducting a panel discussion at an organization supporting foster youth, teaching people working for this organization networking skills.” 

In other activities, SMG employees organize training sessions or awareness events for clients. “Many clients are looking for ways to increase their social impact, and we can help them,” Shannon explains. “For example, recently we attended a charity gala for CASA, accompanied by a large client who also donated to the cause. In that sense, too, we can really be connectors.” Candidates, community, partners, SMG itself… “We’re basically creating win-win-win-win situations,” Shannon notes.

Changing lives as a matter of course

In organizing all these activities, there has been no shortage of employees volunteering their support. “When we put out the clarion call for help, we get a lot of response from people asking what they can do,” Matt observes. In a way, Shannon is not surprised by this enthusiasm, having herself experiences the personal rewards. “Everybody wants to feel good about their work,” she reflects. “When you experience that you can personally impact your community, and be a real help to others, that is priceless. It really is true that the secret to happiness is in helping others. It energizes you to do so much more."

Matt McGowan: “In this job you need the heart of a social worker. I love the fact that I can help turn people’s lives around. We not only help fill jobs. We actually change lives, as a matter of course.”

Matt’s motivation runs equally deep: “In this job you need the heart of a social worker. I love the fact that I can help turn people’s lives around. I recently heard from a colleague who received an email from a prison inmate he’d helped prepare for his life after serving his sentence, who thanked him and literally said: ‘You made me feel human again’. That’s the kind of feedback that makes you realize: this is why we’re doing this work. We not only help fill jobs. We actually change lives, as a matter of course.”

This story is part of RGF Connect’s Global Week of Impact, highlighting initiatives that connect people to education, training and work across the world.