Evaluating and Amplifying Organizational Practices Supporting Retention, Well-being, and Performance During Difficulty

Abstract Information: Understanding how organizations support vulnerable populations, specifically through periods of difficulty, benefits the institutions we work with, for, and the ones we create as evaluators. It reminds us to frame our evaluation design in ways to elicit this information and produce actionable recommendations for organizational leaders which promote the voices and experiences of those who have been previously unheard or have unmet needs. We demonstrate these points through the lens of a recent project to support productivity of those substantially affected by care-giving responsibilities in their early career. We engage participants in applying the reviewed organizational culture and change frameworks, considering new tools which amplify non majority or opposing voices, and aligning theories to analyses, findings, and dissemination. We provide examples which transfer to other research, organizations, and projects.