The change we want to see starts with our own actions
Bench doesn’t work unless we create opportunities and build pathways for greater equity. Through our work, the people we hire and the learning we do every day, Bench is committed to building a more just and inclusive society.
Each quarter, we provide an update on the progress we’ve made, and where we’ve fallen short. And while we acknowledge that decades of injustices will not be undone by one company, we believe it is the actions of all of us, every single day, in every way that we can, that will usher in change. It is our mission to help enable each and every business owner to thrive in their chosen field. This is about continuously holding ourselves accountable for the role we play in systems where racism and discrimination exist.
Commitment Updates
Our commitment to creating systemic equity as a company
At Bench, we’re committed to the ongoing work of creating systemic equity as a company. Each quarter, we provide an update on the progress we’ve made, and where we’ve fallen short. This is not about patting ourselves on the back or virtue signaling. It’s about continuously holding ourselves accountable to make big changes in how we operate as a company—and how we play our part in effecting systemic equitable change.
October 2023 to December 2023
Our partners from the First Nations Technology Council joined us in October to share the findings of the Moving Beyond Inclusion report with the entire company. This was a very informative session that helped everyone calibrate towards our collective goal!
The EPD team hosted a Pro D Day session featuring Sarah Fossheim who discussed Accessible Product Development. Everyone who participated created an exciting dialogue around how DEI can work inside the EPD teams. This was the first but important step to begin the process on how we can make our products more accessible.
At Bench, we recognize the importance of supporting one another through difficult times. As part of this commitment, we introduced our new Reproductive Loss Policy. We recognize the emotional impact of reproductive loss and we aim to offer support to our impacted Benchmates with the necessary resources to grieve and recover.
We know that language matters—especially how it’s used to define policy criteria. So in order to ensure our policies are inclusive, we broadened the definition of family to recognize and accommodate diverse family structures, acknowledging that familial bonds extend beyond traditional eurocentric constructs. It allows folks to take bereavement leave for losses that may not fit conventional or normative definitions but are emotionally significant and impactful to them. It’s a small, but impactful change.
Gender Pay Equity
We know that language matters—especially how it’s used to define policy criteria. So in order to ensure our policies are inclusive, we broadened the definition of family to recognize and accommodate diverse family structures, acknowledging that familial bonds extend beyond traditional eurocentric constructs. It allows folks to take bereavement leave for losses that may not fit conventional or normative definitions but are emotionally significant and impactful to them. It’s a small, but impactful change.
Our Commitment to You
We will continue to provide quarterly updates on our progress towards creating systemic equity as a company. We owe that to you, the people who work here, and our community. Doing so holds us accountable, and ensures that we maintain momentum on this critical and ongoing journey.
Thanks for being here with us. As always, please let us know if you have feedback, questions, or suggestions.
Resources
As America's largest professional bookkeeping service for small businesses, we are uniquely positioned to offer valuable resources to minority-owned businesses. This page will continue to be updated as we add more resources.
Programs, Grants, and Resources for Black-Owned Businesses
Black businesses disproportionately have less access to capital. Here are 7 different programs trying to address that inequality.
A Big List of Small Business Grants for Women* (2023)
If you’re a woman and own a business, you might be eligible for the small business grants listed in this article.
Business Grants and Resources for Minority-Owned Businesses
We've compiled the top financial relief resources for minority-owned small businesses in the United States.
*When we say women, we mean all women. Particularly trans, queer, BIPOC, and other women with intersecting identities.
We acknowledge that Bench headquarters is located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.