B2- Upper Intermediate
In this interview with global vice chair of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusiveness (DEI) Karyn Twaronite of Ernst & Young’s (EY), she talks about how tapping into the pool of neurodiverse talents benefits not only the workers, but also the company.
Read this article about how focusing on neurodiverse workers can help benefit both businesses and employees.
Be ready to answer the questions that follow.
Vocabulary Questions:
- What does “to climb the ranks” mean? “Throughout more than 30 years – all spent at Ernst & Young, now EY – Twaronite has climbed the ranks, rotating through different departments.” Use this phrase in a sentence and give 2 synonyms or similar expressions.
- What does “to keep someone on one’s toes” mean? “Today, as EY’s global vice chair of diversity, equity and inclusiveness, she oversees DEI programmes for 400,000 people across 150 countries. The group, says Twaronite, is around 80% Gen Z and millennial workers, average age about 27. “That keeps us on our toes innovation-wise.” Use this idiom in a sentence and give 2 synonyms or similar expressions.
- What does “all tides rise together” mean? “And this talent base has really been extremely beneficial for us, because all tides rise together on this population.” Use this expression in a sentence and give 2 synonyms or similar expressions.
Discussion Questions:
- Share your thoughts about hiring neurodiverse talent.
- What are the benefits and challenges that companies might face should they commit to inclusion for neurodiverse talent?
- Are companies in your country generally inclusive? Share something about this topic.
- What are some things your company does to embrace diversity, equity, and inclusiveness in the workplace?
- Is it important for you that a company you work for strive for diversity, equity, and inclusiveness? Explain.