The lawyers at De Roos in Amsterdam have been avid users of Let's Play Equal for some time now!

We spoke with Angie Zapata, People & Impact Manager at De Roos, about how they have embraced Let's Play Equal as part of their inclusion and diversity policy.

How long have your teams been playing Let's Play Equal?

We immediately purchased the game when we received an email about this initiative. We started playing Let's Play Equal in September 2023. Because we are also a B Corp, we were very curious about this great initiative and even wanted to experience it for ourselves.

What do you use Let's Play Equal for?

We have an internal JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion) committee and are actively working to increase awareness around these themes. We do this by, for example, sharing our definitions of JEDI internally, organizing lectures and training sessions, and applying inclusive recruitment practices. Let's Play Equal is the ideal way to bring these themes into the organization in a playful and effective manner, which not only increases awareness but also promotes team building. By discussing these themes together, you create a safe environment where everyone can share their opinions and better understand each other. The last part of the game, with personal questions, offers the opportunity for in-depth conversations, which contributes to a positive atmosphere within the team. Let's Play Equal is not played on a fixed schedule, but this year all employees had the opportunity to participate.

With whom do you play Let's Play Equal?

Let's Play Equal is played with both new and existing colleagues. In our 2023 employee satisfaction survey, we noticed a need for more connection between teams. Because we are a law firm, we usually work within teams that focus on different areas of law. This means that interaction with colleagues from other teams is often limited. Therefore, we mixed colleagues from different departments, giving them the opportunity to get to know each other better in an informal setting. We enjoy playing the game at someone's home, combined with dinner, for a relaxed atmosphere.

What have been the reactions so far?

All reactions so far have been very positive! The game creates lasting memories and strengthens the bond between colleagues. I also recommend never skipping the last part, with personal questions, because this contributes to deeper, personal conversations.

What kind of impact has playing Let's Play Equal had so far in your company? How do you notice this?

In our last employee satisfaction survey, we noticed that the statement "I feel I have enough connection with colleagues from other teams" was confirmed more positively compared to last year. We think the game has likely contributed to this improvement. It's great to see that by now, everyone has played the game and had personal learning experiences.

Would you recommend Let's Play Equal to other companies, and if so: why?

Yes, definitely, and I would not only recommend it to B Corps. I think this can be a good starting point for talking about JEDI, especially for companies that have not yet delved deeply into it. Even if a company is relatively homogeneous and less diverse, this game can certainly help create a safe space for conversations about JEDI.

From an Human Resources perspective, this game has given me the chance to raise other JEDI issues that weren't necessarily a priority but do create more awareness and can help us progress as an organization. We’ve shared our experience on social media to encourage other companies to do the same.