CHAPTER 03
Supporting Our People
Advancing equity and inclusion in the workplace and our communities is essential to economic empowerment. We do this by helping our people feel a sense of belonging at work, offering professional development resources, and showing up for the artists, entrepreneurs, and individuals in our communities.
CHAPTER 03
Supporting Our People
Advancing equity and inclusion in the workplace and our communities is essential to economic empowerment. We do this by helping our people feel a sense of belonging at work, offering professional development resources, and showing up for the artists, entrepreneurs, and individuals in our communities.
Table of Contents
03.1
Building an Inclusive Workplace
03.2
Developing Talent
03.3
Showing Up in Our Communities
Table of Contents
03.1
Building an Inclusive Workplace
03.2
Developing Talent
03.3
Showing Up in Our Communities
03.1
Building an Inclusive Workplace
Building an inclusive economy starts by building an inclusive company. When people come to work for Block, they deserve to feel welcome and supported, no matter who they are or what role they have in the company. Here are some ways we advanced an inclusive workplace in 2023.
03.1
Building an Inclusive Workplace
Building an inclusive economy starts by building an inclusive company. When people come to work for Block, they deserve to feel welcome and supported, no matter who they are or what role they have in the company. Here are some ways we advanced an inclusive workplace in 2023.
Block Communities
Block Communities (our employee resource groups) are essential to advancing belonging and inclusion for employees of all backgrounds. With 14 groups in all (with 80+ chapters globally), Communities receive dedicated resources from Block, such as executive sponsors, leadership training for Community Chairs, annual budget, and support for executing programming.
Block Communities
Block Communities (our employee resource groups) are essential to advancing belonging and inclusion for employees of all backgrounds. With 14 groups in all (with 80+ chapters globally), Communities receive dedicated resources from Block, such as executive sponsors, leadership training for Community Chairs, annual budget, and support for executing programming.
I&D Day 2023
In September 2023, we hosted our third annual Inclusion & Diversity Day. It’s a day of educational programming for Block employees, focusing on the intersection of equity, inclusion, and economic empowerment.
Keynote speaker Deanna Singh, renowned speaker and trailblazer in the field of social change, spoke on nurturing human centeredness and recognizing individual people within complex systems. Additional sessions featured Laurissa “Lala" Romain, an actress, musician, and TIDAL RISING artist of 2023, and a discussion about the Square FORWARD business accelerator for Black and Latinx entrepreneurs.
I&D Day 2023
In September 2023, we hosted our third annual Inclusion & Diversity Day. It’s a day of educational programming for Block employees, focusing on the intersection of equity, inclusion, and economic empowerment.
Keynote speaker Deanna Singh, renowned speaker and trailblazer in the field of social change, spoke on nurturing human centeredness and recognizing individual people within complex systems. Additional sessions featured Laurissa “Lala" Romain, an actress, musician, and TIDAL RISING artist of 2023, and a discussion about the Square FORWARD business accelerator for Black and Latinx entrepreneurs.
Speakers at Block's 2023 I&D Day event (from left): Amrita Ahuja, COO and CFO at Block; Ryan Lea, Engineering Manager at Cash App; Damana Madden, Engineering Manager at Cash App; Angélica Varela, Square Seller.
Speakers at Block's 2023 I&D Day event (from left): Amrita Ahuja, COO and CFO at Block; Ryan Lea, Engineering Manager at Cash App; Damana Madden, Engineering Manager at Cash App; Angélica Varela, Square Seller.
Promotion and compensation fairness
We have a system for combating bias and advancing fairness in promotion and compensation. A large part of this system is a series of embedded checks and audits. Here are some more details:
Promotion and compensation fairness
We have a system for combating bias and advancing fairness in promotion and compensation. A large part of this system is a series of embedded checks and audits. Here are some more details:
Considering every team member
To help ensure managers consider promotion readiness for everyone on their team, we provide “promotion primers” that highlight how long each team member has been at their current level with respect to the median for people in similar roles.
Embedding bias checklists
In alignment with research indicating checklists reduce the influence of unconscious bias in decision-making, we embedded a bias checklist into our performance management process and training.
Auditing for fairness
Before making any final decisions, we look for statistical evidence of bias. After managers submit proposed promotions, performance ratings, and compensation changes, we conduct a full audit of performance rating, pay, and promotion fairness on the basis of gender, race, and age. We check for potential disparities both overall and within specific jobs, and review any outliers we find.
Considering every team member
To help ensure managers consider promotion readiness for everyone on their team, we provide “promotion primers” that highlight how long each team member has been at their current level with respect to the median for people in similar roles.
Embedding bias checklists
In alignment with research indicating checklists reduce the influence of unconscious bias in decision-making, we embedded a bias checklist into our performance management process and training.
Auditing for fairness
Before making any final decisions, we look for statistical evidence of bias. After managers submit proposed promotions, performance ratings, and compensation changes, we conduct a full audit of performance rating, pay, and promotion fairness on the basis of gender, race, and age. We check for potential disparities both overall and within specific jobs, and review any outliers we find.
Workforce diversity
Representation matters. And we’re transparent about where Block stands. Change doesn't happen overnight, and real progress takes persistent effort. Our annual workforce diversity report shows how we’re doing.
Workforce diversity
Representation matters. And we’re transparent about where Block stands. Change doesn't happen overnight, and real progress takes persistent effort. Our annual workforce diversity report shows how we’re doing.
Inclusion measurement and tracking
An inclusion analysis is an essential component of our global biannual employee survey process. As part of every cycle, we provide detailed “Inclusion & Diversity Reports” to leaders across the company.
These reports include an overview of their team’s demographic data trends and an inclusion analysis of the survey results, checking for any notable gaps in employee sentiment along the lines of gender, race/ethnicity, and age (as self-reported at the time of hire). The reports are accompanied by a playbook of research-backed strategies to help address any specific gaps in inclusion highlighted within these reports.
71
Block's 2023 belonging score.
On par with the tech benchmark provided by Glint, based on 90+ tech companies that use the same question.
Inclusion measurement and tracking
An inclusion analysis is an essential component of our global biannual employee survey process. As part of every cycle, we provide detailed “Inclusion & Diversity Reports” to leaders across the company.
These reports include an overview of their team’s demographic data trends and an inclusion analysis of the survey results, checking for any notable gaps in employee sentiment along the lines of gender, race/ethnicity, and age (as self-reported at the time of hire). The reports are accompanied by a playbook of research-backed strategies to help address any specific gaps in inclusion highlighted within these reports.
71
Block's 2023 belonging score.
On par with the tech benchmark provided by Glint, based on 90+ tech companies that use the same question.
Diversity standards for recruiting and candidate slates
Block believes in nurturing and cultivating diverse talent as part of our strategy to build inclusive interview slates. In 2023, we sponsored and attended events held by several diversity recruiting organizations, including our first-ever talent partnership in the EMEA region with European Women in Tech. Our 2023 partners included: Blacks in Technology, European Women in Technology, Latinas in Tech, Render ATL, and Women Who Code.
At the European Women in Technology conference in Amsterdam
Diversity standards for recruiting and candidate slates
Block believes in nurturing and cultivating diverse talent as part of our strategy to build inclusive interview slates. In 2023, we sponsored and attended events held by several diversity recruiting organizations, including our first-ever talent partnership in the EMEA region with European Women in Tech. Our 2023 partners included: Blacks in Technology, European Women in Technology, Latinas in Tech, Render ATL, and Women Who Code.
At the European Women in Technology conference in Amsterdam
At Render ATL in Atlanta
At Bitcoin 2023 in Nashville, TN
We believe diverse interview slates should be standard for hiring, so we set a Block-wide commitment to consistently consider candidate slates inclusive of talent from backgrounds underrepresented in tech. Our baseline for candidate slate diversity for each role is to interview at least one underrepresented minority or woman of any race/ethnicity (with slight variations depending on role type and locale).
At Render ATL in Atlanta
At Bitcoin 2023 in Nashville, TN
We believe diverse interview slates should be standard for hiring, so we set a Block-wide commitment to consistently consider candidate slates inclusive of talent from backgrounds underrepresented in tech. Our baseline for candidate slate diversity for each role is to interview at least one underrepresented minority or woman of any race/ethnicity (with slight variations depending on role type and locale).
New pathways into tech
Block is an early partner of Next Chapter, providing paid software engineering apprenticeships to people who have been formerly incarcerated.
In our third year participating in this program, we have now converted four out of five Next Chapter apprentices to full-time engineering roles within Square and Cash App, and we’re looking forward to bringing on another cohort of two apprentices in May of 2024. Block also partners on volunteer projects with several local workforce development organizations — including Civicorps, Ladies of Hope Ministries, Hack the Hood, Marcy Community Center, the City of Refuge Atlanta, Junior Achievement NorCal, Youth Villages North Carolina, and Hopeworks Camden — in support of historically underrepresented, low-income, and minority communities.
New pathways into tech
Block is an early partner of Next Chapter, providing paid software engineering apprenticeships to people who have been formerly incarcerated.
In our third year participating in this program, we have now converted four out of five Next Chapter apprentices to full-time engineering roles within Square and Cash App, and we’re looking forward to bringing on another cohort of two apprentices in May of 2024. Block also partners on volunteer projects with several local workforce development organizations — including Civicorps, Ladies of Hope Ministries, Hack the Hood, Marcy Community Center, the City of Refuge Atlanta, Junior Achievement NorCal, Youth Villages North Carolina, and Hopeworks Camden — in support of historically underrepresented, low-income, and minority communities.
Josh Towney, the first successful candidate in the Indigenous New Developer Initiative, now works full time in the Cash App Melbourne office.
Josh Towney, the first successful candidate in the Indigenous New Developer Initiative, now works full time in the Cash App Melbourne office.
In Australia, Cash App is now into its second year of a partnership with Indigitek, an Australian-based organization dedicated to increasing the participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in tech.
The Indigenous New Developer Initiative, a scholarship program funded by Cash App, consists of a 3-month paid General Assembly bootcamp, followed by a 6-month paid internship at Cash App with the opportunity of full-time employment. In 2023, two candidates were converted to full-time roles in Australia and 5 more candidates are currently participating in the scholarship program.
In Australia, Cash App is now into its second year of a partnership with Indigitek, an Australian-based organization dedicated to increasing the participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in tech.
The Indigenous New Developer Initiative, a scholarship program funded by Cash App, consists of a 3-month paid General Assembly bootcamp, followed by a 6-month paid internship at Cash App with the opportunity of full-time employment. In 2023, two candidates were converted to full-time roles in Australia and 5 more candidates are currently participating in the scholarship program.
Inclusive benefits
The benefits we offer employees are key to fostering an inclusive company and retaining a diverse workforce. While specific benefits vary based on country and personal selections, we regularly audit our offerings to meet the needs of a diverse and distributed workforce.
Inclusive benefits
The benefits we offer employees are key to fostering an inclusive company and retaining a diverse workforce. While specific benefits vary based on country and personal selections, we regularly audit our offerings to meet the needs of a diverse and distributed workforce.
03.2
Developing Talent
At Block we’re building a culture of excellence — the better we develop our talent, the better we can serve our customers.
03.2
Developing Talent
At Block we’re building a culture of excellence — the better we develop our talent, the better we can serve our customers.
Manager training
Inclusive leaders are a critical element of high-performing teams. To support our managers in developing the skills to lead inclusively, address everyday challenges, and build high-performing teams, Block offers in-depth learning pathways for all leaders with a focus on inclusive leadership fundamentals.
Empowering career growth
At Block, we aim to empower all employees with resources to be the drivers of their own careers. This includes an internal career development center, access to the full LinkedIn Learning library of on-demand courses, and a range of fireside chats and panel discussions with internal and external leaders throughout the year.
Manager training
Inclusive leaders are a critical element of high-performing teams. To support our managers in developing the skills to lead inclusively, address everyday challenges, and build high-performing teams, Block offers in-depth learning pathways for all leaders with a focus on inclusive leadership fundamentals.
Empowering career growth
At Block, we aim to empower all employees with resources to be the drivers of their own careers. This includes an internal career development center, access to the full LinkedIn Learning library of on-demand courses, and a range of fireside chats and panel discussions with internal and external leaders throughout the year.
Equitable professional development
We recognize that employees from underrepresented identities face unique challenges and circumstances.
Beyond our general offerings, we believe it’s important to invest in opportunities specifically designed to help these employees thrive, such as the European Women in Technology’s Annual Summit, Lesbians Who Tech and Allies Summit, and regular programming from the Hispanic Information Technology Executive Council.
Block’s participation for the past three years in McKinsey’s Connected Leaders Academy for Black and Latinx individuals shows the tangible impact of investing in these kinds of opportunities. Our 2023 impact analysis of program participation found the following:
26%
of Block’s McKinsey participants received a promotion within one year of completing the program, outpacing company-wide average promotion rates. This remains consistent across the three cohorts that have gone through the program.
+5 points
Inclusion scores for the 2022–2023 McKinsey cohort increased by 5 points following completion of the program. The cohort outpaces the company-wide score.
Equitable professional development
We recognize that employees from underrepresented identities face unique challenges and circumstances.
Beyond our general offerings, we believe it’s important to invest in opportunities specifically designed to help these employees thrive, such as the European Women in Technology’s Annual Summit, Lesbians Who Tech and Allies Summit, and regular programming from the Hispanic Information Technology Executive Council.
Block’s participation for the past three years in McKinsey’s Connected Leaders Academy for Black and Latinx individuals shows the tangible impact of investing in these kinds of opportunities. Our 2023 impact analysis of program participation found the following:
26%
of Block’s McKinsey participants received a promotion within one year of completing the program, outpacing company-wide average promotion rates. This remains consistent across the three cohorts that have gone through the program.
+5 points
Inclusion scores for the 2022–2023 McKinsey cohort increased by 5 points following completion of the program. The cohort outpaces the company-wide score.
03.3
Showing Up in Our Communities
Thinking locally is a cornerstone of our company. Economic empowerment starts by supporting our neighbors and the communities where we work. Showing up means investing in local businesses, making space for our communities to gather and feel welcome, and volunteering to support the places that support Block.
03.3
Showing Up in Our Communities
Thinking locally is a cornerstone of our company. Economic empowerment starts by supporting our neighbors and the communities where we work. Showing up means investing in local businesses, making space for our communities to gather and feel welcome, and volunteering to support the places that support Block.
Block Community Hub
The Block Community Hub is a multipurpose space dedicated to serving our Oakland neighborhood.
Located on the ground floor of Block’s Oakland office, the hub consists of two unique spaces, the Community Space and Uptown Market. An art program, put together in partnership with the Bay Area Mural Program, decorates the entire hub with work from local artists. The Community Space offers 501(c)(3) East Bay community organizations a free, reservable space to gather. In 2023, the space hosted 198 events, including 10 fundraisers and galas, 8 youth programs, and 14 vendor markets.
Block Community Hub
The Block Community Hub is a multipurpose space dedicated to serving our Oakland neighborhood.
Located on the ground floor of Block’s Oakland office, the hub consists of two unique spaces, the Community Space and Uptown Market. An art program, put together in partnership with the Bay Area Mural Program, decorates the entire hub with work from local artists. The Community Space offers 501(c)(3) East Bay community organizations a free, reservable space to gather. In 2023, the space hosted 198 events, including 10 fundraisers and galas, 8 youth programs, and 14 vendor markets.
In 2023, the space hosted:
10
galas
8
youth programs
14
vendor markets
In 2023, the space hosted:
10
galas
8
youth programs
14
vendor markets
Uptown Market, launched in partnership with the Black Cultural Zone (BCZ) in the summer of 2023, features new sellers and local vendors from some of Oakland’s cultural markets.
Participating businesses receive free retail space, a variety of educational workshops, business counseling and navigation, account management support, and complimentary Square point-of-sale hardware. If you’re in the area, go check it out — the market is open Wednesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Uptown Market, launched in partnership with the Black Cultural Zone (BCZ) in the summer of 2023, features new sellers and local vendors from some of Oakland’s cultural markets.
Participating businesses receive free retail space, a variety of educational workshops, business counseling and navigation, account management support, and complimentary Square point-of-sale hardware. If you’re in the area, go check it out — the market is open Wednesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Australia community partnerships
Throughout 2023, we sought ways to support our people and communities across Australia.
As part of our $100 million impact investment, we invested AUD$3 million First Australians Capital (FAC), an Indigenous-led fund manager dedicated to helping Indigenous-owned and -led businesses grow. And by partnering with organizations that align with our purpose, we were able to fund economic empowerment initiatives for First Nations entrepreneurs and children, LGBTQIA+ youth, refugees and migrants, and more. Here are a few of the Australia-based organizations we were lucky to work with in 2023:
Australia community partnerships
Throughout 2023, we sought ways to support our people and communities across Australia.
As part of our $100 million impact investment, we invested AUD$3 million First Australians Capital (FAC), an Indigenous-led fund manager dedicated to helping Indigenous-owned and -led businesses grow. And by partnering with organizations that align with our purpose, we were able to fund economic empowerment initiatives for First Nations entrepreneurs and children, LGBTQIA+ youth, refugees and migrants, and more. Here are a few of the Australia-based organizations we were lucky to work with in 2023:
Clearpay partners with Smart Works in the UK
In 2023, Clearpay, our UK entity, worked with Smart Works, a leading UK charity, to support economic empowerment initiatives for women.
Smart Works helps women gain the confidence they need to secure employment and change their life trajectory. Clearpay supported Smart Works by donating funds, fundraising, and volunteering with the organization throughout the year.
Clearpay partners with Smart Works in the UK
In 2023, Clearpay, our UK entity, worked with Smart Works, a leading UK charity, to support economic empowerment initiatives for women.
Smart Works helps women gain the confidence they need to secure employment and change their life trajectory. Clearpay supported Smart Works by donating funds, fundraising, and volunteering with the organization throughout the year.
TIDAL Live supporting communities
In November, TIDAL Live partnered with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the US. To celebrate and honor the HBCU community during homecoming season, TIDAL hosted Live sessions at North Carolina A&T University and Hampton University. Three HBCU alums joined the TIDAL events: Terrence J, actor, media personality, and alum of North Carolina A&T University; and rap duo EARTHGANG, alums of Hampton University. Beyond the music, TIDAL donated $10,000 to the participating HBCUs.
For 2023 Pride, TIDAL joined up with Cash App to host PRIDE: TIDAL Live x Cash App. To cap off the event, TIDAL donated $20,000 to the Drag Defense Fund and the Trans Justice Funding Project.
TIDAL Live supporting communities
In November, TIDAL Live partnered with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the US. To celebrate and honor the HBCU community during homecoming season, TIDAL hosted Live sessions at North Carolina A&T University and Hampton University. Three HBCU alums joined the TIDAL events: Terrence J, actor, media personality, and alum of North Carolina A&T University; and rap duo EARTHGANG, alums of Hampton University. Beyond the music, TIDAL donated $10,000 to the participating HBCUs.
For 2023 Pride, TIDAL joined up with Cash App to host PRIDE: TIDAL Live x Cash App. To cap off the event, TIDAL donated $20,000 to the Drag Defense Fund and the Trans Justice Funding Project.
Cash App gives an assist in Atlanta
Cash App sponsored The Bitcoin Classic (TBC), a two-day men's basketball tournament aimed at broadening the understanding and availability of bitcoin within the community, in June. (TBC also received support from our Discovery Grant.) In the same East Atlanta community where the tournament took place, Cash App partnered with local nonprofit Art in the Paint to restore a high-need basketball court in Brownwood Park.
Cash App gives an assist in Atlanta
Cash App sponsored The Bitcoin Classic (TBC), a two-day men's basketball tournament aimed at broadening the understanding and availability of bitcoin within the community, in June. (TBC also received support from our Discovery Grant.) In the same East Atlanta community where the tournament took place, Cash App partnered with local nonprofit Art in the Paint to restore a high-need basketball court in Brownwood Park.