Social Innovation: Chrysler Leading the Way for 'Best Diversity Company' In America

Chrysler Group, which produces some of the world's most recognizable, social innovation vehicles, has been named among the  "Best Companies For Diversity" for 2012 by readers of the magazine, Diversity/Careers in Engineering & Information Technology. This accolade is given to companies who are 'doing the best work promoting diversity, supporting minorities and women, work/life balance and supplier diversity.' This is the second consecutive year that Chrysler Group has earned this recognition. (A complete list of all the selected companies will be featured in the June/July issue of the magazine.) Diversity issues remain high on the American public agenda, and are becoming more crucial in the future, due to increasing differences in the U.S. population.

The survey itself is completely innovative: the readers' choices are based on their perceptions, formed by their own experiences, their conversations with others and what they've read about potential employers. Readers were asked to affirm the status of employers that have been recognized as Best Diversity Companies in previous reader surveys conducted by the magazine, and were given the opportunity to include new employers 'whose diversity initiatives were particularly striking.'

The readers who participated in this social innovation survey were diverse, college-educated technical professionals and students that included women, African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Asian Americans, veterans, and people with disabilities.

Chrysler Group is a company that has been recognised for its commitment to diversity by other publications, awards and organisations; it has been recognized six times by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation as one of the country's leading corporations supporting diversity and inclusion! It was also named one of the '100 Best Companies for Working Mothers' by Working Mother magazine 12 times and been cited in Hispanic Business magazine's annual Diversity Elite 60 list. In 2011 and 2012, the editors of DiversityInc magazine named the Chrysler Group in its list of 'Top 50 Companies for Diversity,' a much coveted annual benchmark comprised of social innovation companies who the magazine's editors believe are true market leaders.

Nancy A. Rae, Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Chrysler Group LLC says, "We are passionate about continuing the transformation of our Company into a vibrant, competitive, diverse, inclusive and innovative global auto maker." Over the years, numerous Chrysler Group employees have received professional recognition from various social innovation organisations, including Black Engineer of the Year and Women of Colour—all reflecting the Company's strong commitment to developing its diverse workforce. Demographic changes from women in the workplace, organisational restructuring and equal opportunity legislation will require organisations globally to review their management practices to develop new, creative approaches to managing people. Experts believe these changes will increase work performance and customer service. The Chrysler Group is very much at the forefront of this important change!

Photo Credit: Markghall's Blog