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- Investing in People
The retail industry is a window into the American workforce. As the nation’s largest private sector employer, retail supports more than 52 million American jobs throughout our diverse ecosystem. Retail workers represent all types of people, in all types of roles, experience, education, and skills, in all phases of their lives. Retail is for everyone; it is the place for a first job, a second chance, a third act, or a side hustle – the retail workforce is truly representative of the American workforce.
Leading retailers are building a 21st century retail workforce that is diverse, innovative, and skilled. Federal workforce laws are woefully outdated and antiquated policy ideas are unlikely the solution. RILA is ready to work with policy makers and other stakeholders to find transformative solutions that modernize federal workforce public policy and enable retailers to continue to invest in people and communities.
A Deeper Look into Investing in People
Growing the 21st Century Retail Workforce
RILA advocates for forward-thinking workplace policies at the state and federal level that reflect the needs of a large and diverse workforce.
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Creating a Diverse, Equitable and Inclusive Workforce
RILA is devoted to ensuring retailers have access to the tools, research, and benchmarking to improve policies around DE&I.
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Preserving Existing Benefits and Creating New Opportunities
RILA members are at the forefront of developing new innovative approaches designed to encourage preventative health, improve outcomes, and lower costs
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Employing DACA Beneficiaries and Access to H-1B Visas
RILA is an unwavering supporter of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and continues to advocate for a permanent solution.
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Retailers Commitments to Communities
As the trade association for America’s retail leaders, we know that retailers are so much more than a store; retailers are part of the community.
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The retail industry needs workplace laws that allow retailers to invest in their people while maintaining the flexibility to react to ever-changing customer demands and expectations. RILA is working with stakeholders to rethink and redesign policies related to benefits, labor and professional development that will enhance the 21st Century Retail Workforce.
Evan Armstrong Vice President, Workforce
Investing in People
Retailers Control Their Destiny with Workers
- By [Evan Armstrong]
- 05/16/2023
Retail Realities: Employee Expectations Have Changed
- 05/11/2023
Retailers Crave Normal; Urge Debt Ceiling Agreement
- 05/09/2023
Leaving Denver Stronger, Smarter, More Resilient Than Ever
- 05/04/2023
Strengthening Connections, Developing Leaders
- 05/02/2023
Resiliency in Action
- 05/01/2023
Shaping Retail’s Future in Denver
- 04/30/2023
RILA and NDAA Collaborate on Vibrant Communities Initiative
- By [Lisa LaBruno]
- 04/27/2023
States Continue to Pass Major Privacy Legislation
- By [Austin Gold, Townsend Brown]
- 04/25/2023
Three Lessons from Single-Use Plastic Bag Bans
- By [Derek Mak]
- 04/21/2023
Earth Day Spotlight on New Retail Sustainability Efforts
- By [Erin Hiatt]
- 04/20/2023
RILA Comments to the FTC on Proposed Non-Compete Rule
- 04/19/2023