Published 08-12-08
Submitted by UPS
MIAMI,FL. - August 12, 2008 - The transportation industry isn't often cited for cultivating the careers of female executives, but UPS (NYSE:UPS) is the exception.
Women now head up operations in UPS's top markets in the Americas Region -- Ecuador, Mexico, Brazil, Peru and Bolivia. And the company also has launched an innovative career development program aimed at retaining and advancing female managers globally.
Gender disparity is a real business issue for Latin America. Studies show that women make up 44.7 percent of the workforce in Latin America. But according to Globe Summit, a Web-based business network that surveyed Latin Trade magazine's top 100 Latin American companies in 2005, 64 percent of the 100 companies did not have women in upper management. Additionally, the study found that only five percent of listed board directorships were held by women in contrast to the 10 percent on the boards of FORTUNE Global 200 companies.
Throughout Latin America, UPS is working to develop its female employees for top positions, including Country Manager, the top position in each market. There currently are four women leading country operations in Latin America:
The Women's Leadership Development (WLD) initiative provides UPS managers opportunities to develop leadership and work skills by learning from their peers, from external business organizations and from community service.
The program addresses not only workplace issues but home issues as well. Work-Life balance has emerged as a critical issue for women's job satisfaction and retention. As a consequence, WLD sessions cover such topics as financial planning, women's health and parenting as well as work topics like time management, communication and conflict resolution skills.
"Women are looking for examples from other women about how they balance the pressures and responsibilities of family and work," said Amy Whitley, UPS vice president of human resources. "Fortunately, UPS has been able to develop women to take leadership roles in our Latin American business. And with WLD, we are addressing the issue directly around the world."
UPS is the world's largest package delivery company and a global leader in supply chain and freight services, offering an extensive range of options for synchronizing the movement of goods, information and funds. Headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., UPS serves more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. UPS's stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange (UPS) and the company can be found on the Web at UPS.com. To get UPS news direct, visit www.pressroom.ups.com/RSS.
UPS is a global leader in logistics, offering a broad range of solutions including transporting packages and freight; facilitating international trade, and deploying advanced technology to more efficiently manage the world of business. Headquartered in Atlanta, UPS serves 10.6 million customers daily in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide.
For more information, please visit UPS.com or the company’s Sustainability website, ups.com/sustainability. View and subscribe to UPS Horizons, our sustainability newsletter, by visiting ups.com/sustainabilitynewsletter.
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