2009 Best in Class: Workforce Diversity - For profit
Time Warner Cable (TWC) of Northeast Ohio’s commitment to diversity is demonstrated through its public face on its Web site, its employment policies and practices, and its community involvement. Thirty-one percent of TWC of Northea
st Ohio’s workforce is composed of minority individuals compared to the 21.5 percent Northeast Ohio average among the Commission’s for-profit survey participants and the 23 percent regional average for the Commission’s overall membership.
As a multi-year best-in-class performer, TWC of Northeast Ohio exceeds the for-profit averages for minorities as a portion of new hires, non-senior managers, and full-time employees. Effective strategies include:
- A cross-functional diversity council, including management and non-exempt employees accomplishes measurable diversity impact for the region. Initiatives include: administering a thriving mentoring program, the Women in Technology network, a Diversity & Inclusion Web site, and community activities.
- Managers are annually rated and compensated based in part on how well they demonstrate inclusion. This is assessed through the degree to which the manager: (1) consistently treats people with respect and dignity and accepts nothing less from the team; (2) demonstrates appreciation for the different perspectives and work styles of others; (3) includes others with diverse backgrounds and points of view to maximize involvement from everyone in the business at TWC; (4) actively promotes an inclusive work environment.
- TWC leverages the fact that it has been recognized by DiversityInc as one of the Top 50 companies. This success is demonstrated by the results of employee surveys (with an overall rating of 80 percent or better over the last three years), customer surveys, attrition rates, and performance.
- The company uses nontraditional sources of applicants and fosters close active relationships with these sources in every county that TWC of Northeast Ohio serves. TWC is a partner and sponsor of local community outreach events and job fairs and of diverse professional organizations. Minority and women employees are encouraged to refer friends for potential employment under a formal referral program.
- TWC sponsored an internship program in 2009 and will do so in 2010. The company works with the Emma Bowen Foundation, sponsoring internships that prepare minority youths for careers in the media industry, and the T. Howard Foundation, promoting diversity in the multimedia and entertainment industry workforce.
- A diversity audit is conducted every six months by the divisional human resource department. Results are evaluated against business-plan goals and objectives and shared with managers.
“Diversity in the workplace is something we take very seriously at Time Warner Cable. Creating an inclusive environment is an ongoing journey of continuous action that drives the diversity of our employees, the communities where we live and work, and the customers we serve.”
Vin Zachariah
Regional Vice President, Operations
Time Warner Cable of Northeast Ohio