SPRINGDALE, Ark., Feb. 16, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE:TSN) has been selected as one of the nation's "Top 50 Employers" by the readers of Equal Opportunity magazine, the company reported today.
Tyson ranked No. 30 in the publication's 17th annual survey. According to the magazine, "the readers selected the top companies in the country for which they would most prefer to work or believe are progressive in hiring members of minority groups." Google was No. 1, followed by General Electric. Tyson was the highest ranking meat company. To see the full list, click on http://www.eop.com/eotop50.html
Launched in 1968, Equal Opportunity was the first diversity recruitment publication in the U.S. The magazine is read by 42,000 members of minority groups who are students, entry-level workers, and professionals in all career disciplines.
"We're proud to be recognized as a leader in the important area of equal employment opportunity," said Karen Armstrong, vice president of Diversity and Leadership Development for Tyson. "Our company is committed to offering a culture that fosters inclusion and diversity. It's a definite competitive advantage for us. It also instills customer and investor confidence in our business and is critical to our ability to recruit and retain outstanding employees."
Tyson's employment opportunities were featured in a 2009 edition story by Equal Opportunity. To see the story, click on: http://www.tyson.com/Corporate/PressRoom/Docs/Equal_Opportunity_09.pdf
Tyson has initiated numerous programs to support its inclusion and diversity efforts. Examples include:
- Business Resource Groups (BRGs) have been developed within the company to foster interaction between employees and also help connect them to Tyson's business strategy. There are currently four Tyson BRGs: multicultural, men's, women's and military veterans.
- The company established an Executive Diversity Business Council in 2005 to help develop and lead inclusion and diversity initiatives.
- Tyson launched an extensive inclusion and diversity training program in 2005. The first phase included training for all officers and contracted employees titled Managers Mindset/Managing Inclusion.
- The company currently offers a second phase training initiative called Pause-Engage-Expand-Reflect or PEER. This is a one-day workshop that encourages employees to "Pause" to gain more in-depth insights about their experiences and the experiences of others; "Engage" in open, honest, thoughtful dialogue with others; "Expand" their views of the people around them; and "Reflect" upon how they can take what they have learned back to their jobs and everyday lives.
- Tyson's Pipeline Management Process provides a system for the company's operations facilities to identify employees from first-level supervisors to upper management as candidates for development potential and possible advancement.
- Through a supplier diversity program,the company offers equal opportunity to all potential suppliers of goods and services. In addition, the company tracks procurement with minority-owned firms. Tyson's supplier diversity efforts have been honored by Arkansas-Mississippi Minority Business Council several times.
Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE:TSN), founded in 1935 with headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, is one of the world's largest processors and marketers of chicken, beef and pork, the second-largest food production company in the Fortune 500 and a member of the S&P 500. The company produces a wide variety of protein-based and prepared food products and is the recognized market leader in the retail and foodservice markets it serves. Tyson provides products and services to customers throughout the United States and more than 90 countries. The company has approximately 117,000 Team Members employed at more than 400 facilities and offices in the United States and around the world. Through its Core Values, Code of Conduct and Team Member Bill of Rights, Tyson strives to operate with integrity and trust and is committed to creating value for its shareholders, customers and Team Members. The company also strives to be faith-friendly, provide a safe work environment and serve as stewards of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it.
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