Affinity Groups and Networks
Challenge
BD’s purpose is to advance the world of health. Based on a renewed focus on Inclusion & Diversity (I&D), BD established specific goals for the year 2020. Our goals for improving I&D are to drive innovation, to better understand patient and customer needs, and to make BD the best possible place for talented people to work. BD wants to build a more inclusive culture for an increasingly diverse workforce. An inclusive culture will foster new thinking and motivate people of different backgrounds and perspectives to collaborate and drive breakthrough solutions.
Actions
BD encouraged associates to launch new Associate Resource Groups (ARGs) to help build a more inclusive culture. We now have a total of eight ARGs, with six of the eight launching in the past year. ARGs are a company-recognized group of associates who have a specific purpose and charter that aligns with the corporate I&D strategy and celebrates the differences that make us unique. At BD, ARGs help us advance our cultural priorities by cultivating innovation and engaging talent.
Current ARGs at BD:
- AABD – African Americans at BD
- Asian ARG
- HOLA – Hispanic Organization for Leadership and Advancement
- NextGen Millennial ARG
- North America Shared Service Center ARG
- OPEN / LGBTA – Out and Proud Employee Network / Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Allies
- VETS – Veteran Employees and Troop Support
- WIN – Women’s Initiative Network
Outcomes
Currently, we have almost 2,000 employees who have engaged with our ARGs. Our ARGs have been a key change agent in transforming BD’s culture to become more inclusive and diverse. Through successful events, programs and initiatives, ARGs have been working to help BD more effectively recruit, retain and develop our diverse workforce.
Contact
Tiffani Scott
Quote
Diversity and inclusion are inherent in BD’s values, most notably “We do what is right” and “We respect, collaborate, challenge and care about each other.” We were eager to join the CEO Action effort so that we could partner with other companies to further diversity and inclusion in the workplace. At BD, we realize that we succeed by valuing and leveraging the unique abilities, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives that every associate brings to our organization. Inclusion and diversity are extremely important to BD and a driver of our future success in understanding patient and customer needs.