In 2018, Vegan Leaders launched the Corporate Initiatives Support Program (CISP) to help motivated vegan employees push for a change in their workplace, which pairs the participant with a coach and provides a step-by-step, nine-month game plan for those seeking assistance in the workplace.
Many vegans hesitate to self-identify or advocate in the workplace due to lack of support from management, and lack of interest from colleagues. However, we know that employers already care about wellness, diversity, and the triple-bottom-line of people, planet & profits. With the right perspective, the vegan message serves all three aspects. Many companies already have vegan employee groups, various plant-based-themed events, and other initiatives.
CISP enables vegan leaders to create and foster ideas that lead to more of these successes. Big changes start with small steps, and when we are ready as the right opportunity comes along. Vegans can change their workplace if they’re so inclined, using basic steps as outlined in the Vegan Leaders Playbook.
2021 – Exciting challenges alleviate challenging times! Introducing veganism to your workplace
Sid Seth has been promoting veganism on the internal communication channels of a multi-national firm for over a year. Whilst he crafted content, such as a list of best vegan restaurants, and organized a virtual vegan baking event, he found that the engagement around his online activities was lukewarm in the beginning.
In the new year, he spotted a social media post where the Firm’s CEO announced his commitment to sustainability, asking for ideas that could make a real difference. Sid jumped on the opportunity and asked politely if the CEO would be willing to take up a challenge that would require changing his eating habits. The CEO, true to his word, was surprisingly supportive of the idea and agreed to support a company-wide vegan challenge. It turned into a gamified engagement opportunity – something fun for all 15,000 employees, vegan and veg-curious.
Participants in the challenge could earn points by completing various activities, and these points would double if they used their experience to influence others. There were different categories to suit all skills and interests. Entries were counted by using hashtags, both internally and on external social media platforms. Participants were able to cash in on their points and receive exciting rewards.
All activities in the challenge had a sustainability-related message to drive positive change and offered unique experiences to all participants. Some examples of vegan-related activities included:
Inspirational steps
- cooking or baking vegan dishes
- reading articles about the benefits of a plant-based diet
- watching documentaries about climate change and other sustainability issues
Social activities
- sharing photos of vegan dishes they ate
- ordering food from local vegan restaurants
- buying locally grown, plastic-free vegetables
Altruistic journey
- donating their old fur or leather clothes to a local animal sanctuary
- donating their weekly takeaway coffee budget to a local non-profit
- learning about intersectional justice issues to reduce suffering on the planet
There are many ways to promote veganism in your organization. Vegan Leaders would love to help you develop your ideas or hear about successful initiatives at your workplace! Click here for more information about this free program.