Six organizations singled out as being exceptional workplaces for women of colour
Six American companies have been singled out by the editors of Working Mother as being employers of choice for women of colour.
Betty Wong, executive editor of the magazine, said women of colour are looking for companies in which their voices can be heard, their talent developed and where compensation is commensurate with their contributions.
“But unless companies understand accountability, unless they train, support and reward their managers for results, diversity won’t develop,” said Wong.
Native Americans, African Americans, Latinas and others face a complex set of challenges around race and ethnicity with little support because there are so few of them in the top ranks of most organizations, the magazine said.
Last year, more than 81,000 employment discrimination charges were received by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The most common complaints were race-based (35 per cent) and sex or gender based (30 per cent.) Women of colour often face both those obstacles in their working careers.
The best companies
The six firms making the cut were Allstate, American Express, Fannie Mae, General Mills, IBM and JP Morgan Chase.
Joan Crockett, senior vice-president of human resources at Allstate Insurance Company, said she was proud her firm was honoured.
“Allstate recognizes that leveraging diversity in the workplace and the marketplace is simply a good practice,” said Crockett. “We’re particularly pleased that our employees, the women who responded to the confidential Working Mother survey, have affirmed our inclusive and supportive work environment.”
The magazine said the numbers point to an even more diverse workforce in the years to come. The percentage of African Americans in the workplace is expected to rise from 11 per cent in 2003 to 14 per cent by 2050. The proportion of Hispanic and Asian workers is expected to triple, and the number of Caucasians will fall to half the total workforce.
Betty Wong, executive editor of the magazine, said women of colour are looking for companies in which their voices can be heard, their talent developed and where compensation is commensurate with their contributions.
“But unless companies understand accountability, unless they train, support and reward their managers for results, diversity won’t develop,” said Wong.
Native Americans, African Americans, Latinas and others face a complex set of challenges around race and ethnicity with little support because there are so few of them in the top ranks of most organizations, the magazine said.
Last year, more than 81,000 employment discrimination charges were received by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The most common complaints were race-based (35 per cent) and sex or gender based (30 per cent.) Women of colour often face both those obstacles in their working careers.
The best companies
The six firms making the cut were Allstate, American Express, Fannie Mae, General Mills, IBM and JP Morgan Chase.
Joan Crockett, senior vice-president of human resources at Allstate Insurance Company, said she was proud her firm was honoured.
“Allstate recognizes that leveraging diversity in the workplace and the marketplace is simply a good practice,” said Crockett. “We’re particularly pleased that our employees, the women who responded to the confidential Working Mother survey, have affirmed our inclusive and supportive work environment.”
The magazine said the numbers point to an even more diverse workforce in the years to come. The percentage of African Americans in the workplace is expected to rise from 11 per cent in 2003 to 14 per cent by 2050. The proportion of Hispanic and Asian workers is expected to triple, and the number of Caucasians will fall to half the total workforce.
