OBJECTIVE
By adopting this Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Statement, Puyenpa (the “Company”) strives to foster an environment that welcomes and accepts diversity within our organization. The Company is committed to: (1) maintaining an inclusive, productive, supportive, open, innovative, and equitable workplace environment in which every individual is valued for their unique characteristics; (2) fostering respect, understanding, and acceptance of differences; and (3) enabling employees to reach their full potential, thus enhancing the relationships among employees, and optimizing the quality of services to our clients.

WHAT IS DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION?
Diversity can be defined as an infinite variety of possible characteristics that can be used to describe or distinguish individuals. The similarities and differences between employees account for all aspects of one’s personality and individual identity. Some dimensions of diversity are age, color, disability, family status, gender identity, language, physical characteristics, race, and sexual orientation.

Equity can be defined as decisions and actions of individuals that are considered to be fair, reasonable and gives equal treatment to everyone. Equitable treatment does not necessarily mean treating everyone the same. Individuals are treated fairly, respectfully, and have equal access to opportunities and resources.

Inclusion can be defined as the extent to which the Company employees feel welcomed, respected, supported, and valued as team members and where all employees believe they belong and can contribute fully to the Company’s success.

WHY HAVE A DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION STATEMENT?
Puyenpa is a company that has built a diversified workforce that includes many different types of people and provides services to clients with an equally diverse workforce. The Company must assess its workplace culture and identify policies and practices that both help and hinder the inclusion of a wide range of employees. The Company must move further toward a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion, thereby increasing the consciousness and appreciation of differences associated with the heritage, characteristics, and values of many different groups, as well as increasing the respect for the uniqueness of each individual.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION STATEMENT – OUR APPROACH
We recognize that diversity, equity, and inclusion are prominent factors that can maximize the success of our workplace by bringing in different experience levels and perspectives. The foundation of our diversity, equity, and inclusion philosophies are to clearly articulate to both our employees and our clients our intention to create a work culture that enhances our ability to hire, retain, develop, manage, and promote a diverse, engaged workforce. The Company’s expectations for employees and the focus on ongoing development of a work environment that values differences requires: respectful communication and cooperation between all employees; listening with the intent to learn and understand; teamwork and employee participation, permitting and encouraging the representation of all groups and employee’s perspectives; and creating and maintaining effective and productive diverse teams. Puyenpa expects employees to treat others with dignity and respect at all times. All employees are expected to exhibit conduct that reflects inclusion during work, at work functions on or off the work site, and at all Company-sponsored events.

EMPLOYEE CONCERNS
Employees who believe they have been subjected to any kind of discrimination that conflicts with the Company’s diversity, equity, and inclusion statement, or other applicable laws or regulations, or have observed it in the workplace, should follow the complaint procedure outlined in the Puyenpa Employee Handbook.

Employees must report all types of harassment or discrimination so the Company may take appropriate action. Every complaint of harassment or discrimination will be thoroughly investigated without bias or premature judgment. If an employee believes that they have been discriminated against or harassed in violation of the Company’s policies or any applicable laws, or if an employee believes they have witnessed discrimination or harassment, the employee must promptly report the violation to either their immediate supervisor or the Human Resources Director. The employee should be prepared to specify when and where the discrimination or harassment occurred and identify all parties involved in the incidents, whether such individuals are victims, perpetrators, or witnesses.