Improve Northrop Grumman’s military veterans retention.

Analysis

• The Veterans Inclusion Committee commissioned in-depth data analytics on the entire military veteran employee lifecycle.
• Data analytics were developed that explored hiring, representation, promotions, development and terminations of the veteran population compared to the non-veteran population.
• Internal focus groups were conducted around the country to gain qualitative data around veterans trends and issues.
• Consultations with external strategic partners were held to gain insight into veterans inclusion best practices.

Recommendations

• Based on the in-depth analyses, veterans retention stood out as an area of opportunity.
• The Veterans Inclusion Committee (VIC) targeted four focus areas to improve retention: Onboarding, Education and Development, Mentoring, and Community.

Implementation

• To address the four focus areas, 13 recommendations were proposed and implemented by various functions, including Diversity and Inclusion, HR, Benefits and Talent Management.

• Created a veteran’s new employee onboarding portal.
• Developed a veterans new hire employee packet.
• Created a veterans specific benefits link.
• Communicated executive commitment for our military veteran employees.
• Secured military cultural awareness training for recruiters, hiring managers and employees.
• Developed transition training for military veteran employees.
• Created a Navigator program for recently hired veterans and started an auto-enrollment for our wounded warrior hires.
• Modified our mentoring system so veterans can identify other veterans for mentoring opportunities.
• Enhanced our Veterans Inclusion Committee to include more members and levels within the company, as well as established working teams to ensure accountability of program success.
• Supported our veterans ERG (VERITAS) to build and support the veteran community within the company.
  
  • Held our first annual company-wide Veterans Summit in May, 2017.
• Veterans employment issues to be reviewed quarterly within all business units to monitor and track our success.

Linda Fortney