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Rockwell Automation Recognized for Initiatives in Women's Inclusion and Advancement

Prestigious Catalyst Award highlights culture change embedded throughout the company

Rockwell Automation Recognized for Initiatives in Women's Inclusion and Advancement

Prestigious Catalyst Award highlights culture change embedded throughout the company

Published 01-31-17

Submitted by Rockwell Automation

Rockwell Automation has been announced as a 2017 Catalyst Award winner and will be recognized on March 8 in New York City for the company’s Culture of Inclusion journey. The Catalyst Award honors innovative organizational approaches that address the recruitment, development and advancement of women and have led to proven, measurable results.

“We are thrilled to receive this recognition from Catalyst for our Culture of Inclusion journey, demonstrating our commitment to our employees, customers and community,” said Blake Moret, president and chief executive officer, Rockwell Automation. “Our people are the foundation of our company’s success, and so we must create an environment where employees can and want to do their best work every day.” 

The Culture of Inclusion journey began in 2007 with senior leaders renewing their commitment to diversity, inclusion and engagement. This was in response to employee data showing that women and people of color at the company had lower retention rates than white men, and there were gaps in the levels of representation for key demographics. A driving force of this strategy is the knowledge that in order to effect sustainable change, the dominant group—in this case, white men—must be aware of the impact of their privilege, be engaged, and partner with women and underrepresented groups in a meaningful way.

“I’m incredibly proud that we are now a benchmark company for this work,” said Susan J. Schmitt, senior vice president, human resources, Rockwell Automation. “Our strategy is designed to position Rockwell Automation as the place where the most talented people want to work and make a difference; our strategy is also sustainable for the long term because inclusion is embedded in our business processes, not just a program driven by a person or function.”

Results demonstrate that the Culture of Inclusion approach contributed to the advancement of women across businesses and functions at the company. Between 2008 and 2016, women’s representation in the U.S. increased from 11.9% to 23.5% among vice presidents, from 14.7% to 23.2% among directors, and from 19.3% to 24.3% at the middle-manager level. At the most senior leadership levels, women’s representation doubled, increasing from 11.1% to 25.0% among the CEO’s direct reports and from 11.1% to 20.0% on the board of directors. In addition, the Rockwell Automation voluntary turnover is well below the benchmark average for women.

About Catalyst
Founded in 1962, Catalyst is the leading nonprofit organization accelerating progress for women through workplace inclusion. With operations in the United States, Canada, Europe, India, Australia and Japan, and more than 800 supporting organizations, Catalyst is the trusted resource for research, information and advice about women at work. Catalyst annually honors exemplary organizational initiatives that promote women’s advancement with the Catalyst Award. 

About Rockwell Automation
Rockwell Automation Inc. (NYSE: ROK), the world’s largest company dedicated to industrial automation and information, makes its customers more productive and the world more sustainable. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Rockwell Automation employs approximately 22,000 people, serving customers in more than 80 countries.

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Rockwell Automation

Rockwell Automation

Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK), is a global leader in industrial automation and digital transformation. We connect the imaginations of people with the potential of technology to expand what is humanly possible, making the world more productive and more sustainable. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Rockwell Automation employs approximately 29,000 problem solvers dedicated to our customers in more than 100 countries. To learn more about how we are bringing the Connected Enterprise to life across industrial enterprises, visit www.rockwellautomation.com.

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