First Data’s Transformation Includes Major Strides in Diversity Programs & Recognition
April 22 2016 - 05:06PM
Business Wire
Company’s Efforts Result in New Awards from
DiversityInc in Two Key Categories
First Data Named a “Top 25 Noteworthy Company”
for Diversity Efforts
Also Named One of the “Top 10 Best Companies
for Veterans”
Building on its multi-year initiative to create a progressive
and inclusive environment for its employees, First Data Corporation
(NYSE: FDC), a global leader in commerce-enabling technology and
solutions, was proud to receive two significant awards this week
from DiversityInc, one of the nation’s leading diversity-focused
publications whose rankings are seen as a benchmark for excellence
in corporate workplace policies. The awards, which recognized the
company for its initiatives to hire, retain and promote individuals
from a wide variety of backgrounds, were presented to First Data at
an event this week in New York City.
“A lynchpin of First Data’s transformation has always been the
talent and diversity of our people, and we are proud to be
recognized for our work in cultivating and attracting a workforce
that reflects the best in our industry and our society,” said Frank
Bisignano, Chairman and CEO, First Data. “These efforts are not
only making First Data a better place to work, but ultimately
strengthening our company from the inside out.”
For the second consecutive year, First Data was named one of the
Top 25 Noteworthy companies for diversity, a list cultivated from a
pool of more than 1,800 companies. The honor was based on several
factors, including demographics of employees and new hires,
promotions into management positions, access to employee-resource
groups, cross-cultural mentoring, and a strong commitment by senior
leadership.
“We saw 23 companies increase their standings on the
DiversityInc Top 50 and Specialty Lists in 2016, and more than
1,000 companies submitting for contention on the list,” said Luke
Visconti, DiversityInc’s founder and CEO. “We are very encouraged
by the commitment and dedication to diversity management shown by
these top performing companies.”
Beyond diversity, First Data has strived in recent years to open
its doors as a welcoming home to veterans, military spouses, and
members of their families. In recognition of those efforts,
DiversityInc also named First Data as one of the Top 10 Companies
for Veterans, an award that recognizes companies for understanding
the value veterans bring to the workforce.
First Data is focused on supporting those who served in uniform
through a company-wide military engagement strategy called First
Data Salutes, initially launched in 2014. Since the program’s
debut, First Data has increased the percentage of veteran and
military spouse hires from two percent to 15 percent, and has
earned numerous awards and accolades for its service to the
veteran, Guard and Reserve, and military spouse communities.
First Data was ranked in the “Top 20 Companies” for a second
year in a row in Military Times’ annual “Best for Vets” employers
list. The company also claimed a top 10 spot on the “Top Military
Spouse Friendly Employers” list by Military Spouse magazine and was
ranked #1 in the technology industry on that list. In addition,
First Data debuted at #7 on Monster/Military.com’s “Best Companies
for Vets” top ten list.
In addition to these rankings, First Data is also a leading
partner of Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) at
Syracuse University, among many other initiatives in this space,
designed to increase training for men and women transitioning out
of service, along with strengthening and growing the community of
veteran-owned business.
As diversity-related issues, and corporate response to them,
make headlines in many states, First Data has been leading from the
front. First Data joined a number of Fortune 500 companies in 2015
in submitting an amicus brief to the United States Supreme Court in
support of same-sex marriage and, underscoring the belief that
employees should be able to bring their whole selves to work,
recently strongly opposed a discriminatory religious freedom bill
in its headquarters state of Georgia.
Inside the company, First Data formed an affinity group, called
UNITY, designed to create a more inclusive workplace and support
LGBT employees around the world. The company also rewrote its
policies to include providing coverage benefits for domestic
partners and the inclusion of gender identity in its
anti-discrimination policies. First Data also amended its medical
plan to allow for gender transition coverage. For its efforts,
First Data has earned a perfect score two years in a row on the
Corporate Equality Index survey conducted by the Human Rights
Campaign.
In addition to these efforts, First Data has established five
other employee resource groups, or ERGs: the Asian American
Leadership Council, Hispanic and Latino Leadership Council, Black
Leadership Council, Women's Leadership Council, and Young
Professionals (YoPro).
More information about First Data’s diversity policies and
programs can be found in the “Diversity at First Data” section of
the company’s website: FirstData.com
About First Data
First Data (NYSE: FDC) is a global leader in commerce-enabling
technology and solutions, serving approximately six million
business locations and 4,000 financial institutions in 118
countries around the world. The company’s 24,000 owner-associates
are dedicated to helping companies, from start-ups to the world’s
largest corporations, conduct commerce every day by securing and
processing more than 2,500 transactions per second and $1.9
trillion per year.
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First Data CorporationMedia ContactLiidia
Liuksila212-515-0174Liidia.Liuksila@FirstData.com
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