Haley Moss: Belonging Is Not "Fitting In"

Belonging is not simply fitting in: what Haley Moss taught us at the WWT ERG summit

Every October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) recognizes the positive contributions of people with disabilities in the workforce and encourages the public to champion inclusion in the workplace and community. At this year's WWT ERG Summit, Haley Moss, a leader on neurodiversity and disability inclusion, sat down with me to discuss the impact of employee belonging on both workplace culture and business outcomes.

First, Haley and I discussed Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and why they're an important aspect of workplace culture and employee belonging. She emphasized that ERGs are not just a "nice to have" culture boost, but also a strategic business advantage. It's true that ERGs strengthen morale and build a genuine sense of belonging, but they also drive innovation, shape policy and influence business outcomes. WWT ABLE connects disability inclusion to business priorities by collaborating with IT's Accessibility Task Force and highlighting efforts to make WWT's applications more accessible. This work supports a practical business goal: helping both employees and clients get an equal and accessible experience when using our sites. While we clearly recognize the impact within organizations from both cultural and business perspectives, she emphasized that their impact is personal, touching employees' individual experiences in meaningful ways.

Redefining belonging

One thing Haley mentioned that stuck out to me was this: Belonging is not the same as fitting in. 

True belonging means more than having a seat at the table. It means feeling empowered to participate, help shape the table, and make room for even more people.

A strong sense of belonging supports business outcomes, such as employee retention. In a large company, employees can easily feel like cogs in a much bigger machine. A genuine culture of belonging counters that feeling by showing people that their contributions matter and that they are valued for who they are, not just the roles they fill. When employees feel seen and supported, morale grows and innovation follows.

That resonates with me. As a senior program manager on the WWT For All team, I want employees to feel free to be themselves, and I want to model that by showing up authentically as myself, too. I've found that authenticity often starts with being willing to share pieces of your life outside of work. I openly share my love of fashion with my online blog, giving people a glimpse into the creative side of my life. Inviting colleagues into a part of your personal world can build stronger relationships grounded in trust and understanding. A connection to yourself, your team, and your organization's mission, values and goals is what turns engagement into lasting commitment.

The message inclusion sends beyond the walls of the office

Speaking both as a client of organizations and as a professional in a field that is often met with skepticism, Haley pointed to something leaders sometimes miss: visible investment in inclusion, belonging and opportunity is a strong message. It tells people, inside and outside the company, that an organization genuinely cares about the success of its people and is willing to put resources behind that care.

That message does not stop at the office door. It ripples outward, shaping how communities and society understand what a great place to work looks like. We should do good and give something back.

What this means for Accessibility and Disability Inclusion in the workplace

A person's environment directly influences their lived experience, and inaccessible workplaces and communities hinder their full participation in society. National Disability Employment Awareness Month is an opportunity to highlight WWT's efforts to foster a sense of belonging for all employees. Through initiatives and policies that enhance workplace accessibility and ensure that WWT's products and services are not only compliant but also work for everyone, we strive to create an inclusive environment. Additionally, in line with Haley's challenge, this month prompts us to ask a more profound question: are we building a table where everyone feels comfortable participating, or are we merely adding chairs to an existing one?

View their full conversation below: