Diversity In Action

Philadelphia Insurance increases its emphasis on diversity

The organization looks for experienced engineers and IT pros for jobs from network and security engineering to entry-level hardware technicians.

SVP Deborah Sutton: “We offer a wide variety of engineering and IT jobs.”

At company headquarters, an operator monitors PHLY's computer systems.

Deborah Sutton, SVP for operations and HR, says the organization is interested in experienced, degreed engineers and IT pros to fill jobs ranging from network and security engineering to entry-level positions for hardware technicians. "We offer a wide variety of engineering and IT jobs for different skill sets," she says.

Once on the job, new hires can benefit from perks like tuition reimbursement and flexible work schedules, says Sutton. "We recognize our employees' needs to balance personal lifestyles and professional responsibilities. And we always emphasize diversity and inclusion in the workplace."

"In January 2005," Sutton recalls, "our CEO decided we needed to devote more formal attention to diversity." Company-wide diversity training kicked off the program.

"First we introduced our managers to diversity awareness, and then we continued training until we'd reached all employees. The process took about six months."

To underscore the formal training, the HR department decided to highlight a different diverse group each month. "For example, March is women's history month, so we displayed posters about women in history all month and brought in a special guest to address issues like work/life balance," Sutton says.

After two years of the new program, "Our commitment to maintaining a diverse business environment is stronger than ever," Sutton says.

The company's diversity council is a cross-section of employees from various regions and levels of the company. Its mission is to pinpoint workforce issues affecting diverse personnel, help recruit diverse candidates, and represent the company with community organizations. "This is all part of our ongoing effort to develop long-term networking relationships with communities of diverse talent."

The diversity council has several subcommittees. One group focuses on outreach, another keeps the website up to date, and a third sponsors events related to diversity. "We did a sign language class as part of Americans with Disabilities Month," Sutton recalls.

PHLY partners with Philadelphia's Mercy Vocational High and other schools to offer an internship program for juniors and seniors. They also work with Inroads. They've had two Inroads interns for the last two years, and "One of the kids has advanced into IT," Sutton notes with pride.

PHLY continues to recruit through specialty organizations like National Insurance Women, along with urban and ethnic organizations in Philadelphia.

Finally, Sutton points to the organization's longstanding tradition of helping local communities, children in need and other charitable organizations, causes and events. Challenged Athlete, Special Olympics and Children's Hospital are some of them. "We're proud of all our employees who volunteer their time to support those programs," Sutton concludes.

D/C