Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Bench

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 Archive

Each quarter, we provide an update on our progress, and where we’ve fallen short. This is not about patting ourselves on the back or virtue signaling. It’s about holding ourselves accountable to make big changes in how we operate as a company—and how we play our part in dismantling systemic inequity. See our updates from previous quarters below.

July to September 2022

Gender pay equity and senior representation gap
Disability Pride Month
First Nations Technology Council
Affinity groups
Where We’ve Fallen Short

April to June 2022

Bench Bridge
First Nations Technology Council: Moving Beyond Inclusion Partnership for Reconciliation
Juneteenth
Black History Month Giveaway Winners
Belonging at Bench
Where We’ve Fallen Short

January to March 2022

The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Team
First Nations Technology Council: Moving Beyond Inclusion Partnership for Reconciliation
Black History Month
Gender Representation in Technology, Product, and Design
Women Leaders at Bench Series Kickoff
Where We’ve Fallen Short

July to September 2021

First Nations Technology Council: Moving Beyond Inclusion Partnership for Reconciliation
Transparent Salary Bands
(In)Equitable Banking Learning Group
Annual Calendar and Stances
Monthly Senior Leadership DEI Integration Meetings
Where We’ve Fallen Short

April to June 2021

(In)Equitable Banking Learning Group
Gender Parity Project
Equitable People Systems
Affinity Groups
Quarterly Senior Leadership DEI Commitments
Where We've Fallen Short

January to March 2021

Black History Month
Gender Parity Project
Monthly DEI Discussions
DEI Team Expansion
Where We've Fallen Short

2021 Annual Lookback

It’s been almost two years since we started taking our responsibility to meaningfully participate in the work of anti-oppression as a company seriously, intentionally, and holistically. We’ll be the first to say it…this work has been and continues to be difficult. It’s confronting, growing, discouraging, inspiring. Our commitments everyday and every quarter have meant we’ve been forced to grow and grow up. We’ve had setbacks and fallen short. And it’s been the relentless commitment of our employees and our leadership that keeps us on this road towards ever-better.

In the spirit of focusing on hope, here are some of the steps forward that have been most significant for us as a company.

DEI Infrastructure and Training
Leadership Accountability
People Systems
Belonging and Representation

Our Commitment to You

We will continue to provide quarterly updates on our progress towards becoming an anti-racist and anti-discriminatory 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.

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.