When we bring together people from different backgrounds, the possibilities for invention are endless
Published 02-14-24
Submitted by Merck & Co., Inc.
A diverse and inclusive workforce inspires innovation and is fundamental to our company’s success. Having an environment composed of people from different dimensions of diversity also helps us better understand the unique needs of the customers, health care providers and patients we serve.
Below are some of the ways we celebrate our diverse workforce and a culture of equity, empowerment, engagement and belonging:
01.
Supporting a disability-confident workforce
At our company, everyone should feel empowered to help deliver on our purpose of using the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. This includes our colleagues who live with disabilities.
Our Global Disability Inclusion Strategy Council recognizes and values the importance of a disability-confident workforce and offers resources to ensure people with disabilities — including physical, neurological, mental, rare or any other forms of disabilities — are included and prepared to succeed in all areas of our business.
“My hope is for our company to be an example of what’s possible.”
- Michael Klobuchar
Executive vice president and chief strategy officer, and executive sponsor of the Global Disability Inclusion Strategy Council
Key programs and partnerships include:
02.
Building a pipeline of diverse talent
With our Skills-First approach to hiring, we’re shifting the ways we attract, develop and advance talent. For appropriate roles, this new approach increases the focus on skills instead of a four-year degree, creating equitable access to meaningful career opportunities for diverse candidates.
Key partners in our efforts include:
“OneTen provides an opportunity to create a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve, and make a significant long-term impact.”
- Ngozi Motilewa
Associate director, talent acquisition, and Skills-First/OneTen lead
03.
Economic inclusion and business diversity
We’ve been championing business diversity and underrepresented entrepreneurs for nearly 40 years, recognizing that a diverse supply chain creates a competitive advantage for our company and positively impacts the global community.
We continue to exceed industry best practices by spending more than 10% of our purchase budget with minority-, women-, veteran-, LGBTQ+-, disability-owned and small business enterprises. And we’re continuing to push ourselves to do more: As a member of the Billion Dollar Roundtable, we’ve made a long-term commitment to spend $4.4 billion with diverse suppliers and small businesses by 2030.
“We’re thinking broader and bolder, and we’ll continue enriching a global diverse business community, reaffirming our commitment to creating healthy and equitable outcomes for our business, patients and communities.”
- Susanna Webber
Senior vice president and chief procurement officer
Key initiatives include:
04.
Celebrating global diversity and inclusion
Since 2015, we’ve celebrated Global Diversity & Inclusion Experience Month in September to foster meaningful discussions and learning around diversity, equity and inclusion, while highlighting diversity and inclusion–focused work and the people who make our company unique.
This monthlong celebration builds diversity and inclusion capabilities among the workforce and creates a platform for employees to speak up about their experiences.
“We’ve strengthened our commitment to making diversity and inclusion a central strategy to business growth.”
- Celeste Warren
Vice president, diversity & inclusion center of excellence
05.
Employee business resource groups (EBRGs)
With more than 21,500 members across 10 groups, our EBRGs play a critical role in driving an inclusive culture and supporting employee career growth. They represent diversity within our company and reflect the communities in which we live and serve.
“I’m proud of our long-standing commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.”
- Marcos Roberto da Costa
Vice president, operational excellence, MMD, and executive sponsor for Merck’s EBRG supporting colleagues with disabilities and their allies
“It has made us a more innovative and agile company — one that’s better attuned to the needs of our employees, patients and customers.”
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At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable and healthy future for all people and communities. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
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