"In one of several meetings I had with Tom
Watson, Jr., I asked him why he wrote what many believe
is the first equal opportunity policy letter in 1953.
He said that during negotiations with two Southern governors
over new IBM facilities in their states, he made it clear
there would be no 'separate but equal' racial policies
at IBM. To make sure they knew he was serious, he wrote
the letter to his management team and then made it public.
That's the legacy that we're living, and extending, today." |
- Ted Childs, Vice President, Global Workforce Diversity.
|
|
We strive to create and foster an environment where our people
feel comfortable and are able to perform at their best. Selection,
training, development and promotions are based solely on individual
merit, skills, qualifications, abilities and aptitude.
Inclusion has been an integral part of the IBM corporate
culture for more than 80 years. We recognise the need to capitalise
on the skills and talents of all segments of our workforce
and our policies encourage, develop and support this. For
example, we have a proactive program to recruit, employ and
integrate People with Disabilities into the workforce.
Our diversity-related awards span the globe and cover mature
adults, people with disabilities and women-friendly work practices,
just to name a few. Here's a small sampling of recent awards:
United States
- 2004 - Top Ten Best Companies for Asian Americans as cited
by Asian Enterprise Magazine
- 50 Most Powerful African Americans in Technology - three
executives and one IBM Fellow make the list
- 2004 - Work Life Legacy Award presented to Ted Childs,
vice president, Global Workforce Diversity, IBM, by Families
and Work Institute.
- 2002 to 2004 - Named among Top 50 Companies for Diversity
by Diversity Inc
- 1999 - SeniorNet-Herbert W. Hines Award for Corporate
Citizenship
Australia
- 2004 - Philip Bullock, CEO of IBM in Australia and New
Zealand, was recognised by the Equal Opportunity for Women
in the Workplace Agency (EOWA) as the 'Leading CEO for the
Advancement of Women'
- 2003 - IBM Australia receives Partner Award for its longstanding
commitment and support of Technical Aid to the Disabled.
China
- 2004 - Top 10 for outstanding People with Disabilities
hiring award from Chaoyang Disabled Person's Federation
- 2004 - Disabled People Association 'Good Corporate Citizen'
award for IBM China
- 2004 - 'The First China Top IT' award to five IBM women.
Japan
- 2003 - IBM Japan 'Best Practice' prize by the Minister
for Health, Labor and Welfare in recognition of the company's
programs encouraging the professional growth of women.
- 2003 - IBM Japan awarded 'Best Practice employer prize
India
- 2004 - Shell Helen Keller Award to Jyotindra Mehta, IBM
Global Services, India, by the National Centre for Promotion
of Employment of Disabled Persons
Hong Kong
- 2003 - 'Best Company for Women Award', American Chamber
of Commerce in Hong Kong and the International Women's Forum.
- 2003 to 2004 - Hong Kong Council of Social Service 'Caring
Company' award
Singapore
- 2004 - Tripartite Committee on Work-Life Strategy 'Family
Friendly Employer Award' to IBM Singapore
"It is the policy of this organisation to hire people
who have the personality, talent and background necessary
to fill a given job, regardless of race, colour or creed."
- Thomas J Watson Jr., 1953
Here are some highlights of our multi-pronged diversity policy:
- Our 'One Team - Many People' Policy helps to ensure that
our workplace is free of discrimination and harassment.
- Our policies and programs ensure that all people have
equal access to promotion, training and development.
- IBM's Diversity Council visibly encourages and values
the contributions and differences of employees from various
backgrounds.
- Our voluntary Diversity Contact Officers are trained as
work/life balance coaches and help to integrate people with
a disability into the workforce
- To promote and nurture diversity, we have networking groups
for people with a disability, women in technology and more.
- Diversity networking events give employees the opportunity
to learn more about current diversity initiatives.
- Diversity Awards recognise and celebrate people whose
actions encapsulate our diversity principles.
- We support external organisations that share our goal
of equal employment, such as The Equal Employment Opportunity
Network.
| |
|
