Skip to main content
Social Sci LibreTexts

5.1: Skills for Change - Diversity at Work

  • Page ID
    80751
  • \( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \) \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)\(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)\(\newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)

    Introduction

    In today’s day and age, a diverse workforce is an increasingly essential requirement for competing globally and achieving long-term sustainability. Any company with plans for achieving global success must have a borderless worldview and embrace all types of diversity in its day-to-day business conduct. Company leaders must be willing to address the complex issues associated with race, gender, disabilities, religion, sexual preferences, and multi-culturalism. Diversity should no longer be limited to a box on an application form or a side topic given minimal consideration. To remain competitive, diversity must be interwoven into every facet of the business—from employee practices to supplier partnerships, diversity will be the glue that helps to form and maintain business relationships. Employees must be well equipped and willing to adapt to shifting business priorities.

    While many organizations have adopted one or two practices in support of diversity and change, very few companies have truly integrated all elements of the diversity spectrum into every aspect of their business. The next section provides five key examples of companies that have successfully woven diversity into their business. Their efforts have earned them recognition as champions of diversity.

    CIBC (Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce)

    CIBC, a Canadian banking institution, employs more than 40,000 people. In 2012, CIBC was recognized as one of Canada’s most diverse employers. The company created a national diversity and equity council comprised of diversity champions from all global operations and recruitment teams. CIBC holds an annual public meeting for all stakeholders to present the company’s yearly equity and diversity plan along with current diversity statistics and results. The company promotes women in the workforce by developing a women’s network that offers coaching and mentoring career services to female employees. Over 66% of the workforce is made up of women. CIBC offers an affinity-mentoring program across different networks to support employees from a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds. In addition, CIBC supports career events for community organizations promoting diversity, including Skills for Change, Inclusion Works, People in Motion, and the Neil Squire Society.

    Ernst & Young

    Ernst & Young provides assurance, tax, transaction, and advisory services to companies across the globe. They employ over 150,000 people. In 2012, Ernst & Young was ranked number 6 on “DiversityInc’s Top 50 Companies for Diversity” list. Over 84% of the company’s workforce consists of employees who work outside of the US. Ernst & Young shows leadership in understanding and developing a culturally competent workforce by supporting resource groups for women, LGBT (the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community), and black employees. The company promotes leadership in these diverse population groups by offering leadership development training classes. Numerous coaching and mentoring services are available to newly appointed managers with culturally diverse backgrounds. Ernst & Young is a strong supporter of youth scholarships, internships, and mentorship programs aimed at helping disadvantaged or under-represented groups.

    Western Union

    Western Union offers money transferring and payment services to consumers worldwide. The company’s multicultural and diverse workforce consists of more than 8,000 people working in 55 countries and speaking 75 different languages and dialects. With a diverse client base, Western Union believes a diverse workforce enables the company to more effectively understand and respond to its clients’ needs. Employees are encouraged to volunteer in local organizations, sponsoring one paid volunteer day per year. Domestic partnership benefits are offered to all Western Union employees. Western Union keeps employees connected and cultivates a feeling of community throughout their workforce.

    Merck

    Employing more than 34,000 individuals, Merck is a pharmaceutical company that serves clients located all over the world. Merck made the 2012 “Working Mother 100 Best Companies” list and consistently is ranked in the top tier of “DiversityInc’s Top 50 Companies for Diversity” annual list. Executives at Merck believe that a diverse, inclusive workforce enables the company to be more agile and innovative. Diversity is integrated throughout all aspects of the business, including hiring strategies, training programs, accountability measurements, reporting metrics, and supply chain partnerships. Merck actively works to develop and maintain a diverse population of suppliers, focusing on minority, women, and veteran-owned small businesses.

    IBM

    With over 420,000 employees globally, IBM offers business consulting services and technology products to international clients. Known for its strong moral values and pioneering diversity efforts, IBM supports under-represented groups throughout the organization. IBM has won numerous awards through the years for its diversity efforts. Some of the company’s recent awards include the 2011 Supplier Diversity Corporation of the Year, admittance into the Women Business Enterprise Hall of Fame, and the Champion of Veterans Enterprise award. IBM places a strong emphasis on mentoring programs to develop talent and leadership among women, LGBT, and minority groups. Within IBM, more than 230 diversity network groups exist to coach, mentor, and support different constituency groups.

    Summary

    • Workforce diversity is an essential requirement for today’s businesses, which allows them to compete globally and achieve long-term sustainability.
    • Complex issues associated with race, gender, disabilities, religion, sexual preferences, and multi-culturalism all play a role in the implementation of diversity.
    • Diversity must be integrated into every aspect of the business, including hiring, employee practices, supply chain management, problem-solving, decision making, and advancement opportunities.
    • Many organizations have adopted limited diversity practices, but very few companies have fully incorporated diversity into all aspects of their business.
    • Five companies recognized for their diversity leadership efforts include CIBC, Ernst & Young, Western Union, Merck, and IBM.

    5.1: Skills for Change - Diversity at Work is shared under a not declared license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

    • Was this article helpful?