| Background
The Environment, Health, and Safety (EH&S) and Security Division consists of about 100 managers, professionals, associates, and technicians trained in specialized environment, health, and safety; security; and emergency-response fields to provide support services to Berkeley Lab’s research and operations groups. Of the EH&S and Security employees, we have nearly 40% minority representation in the Division. Many of the Division’s professional staff have advanced degrees and hold professional board certifications in their fields.
Besides focusing on retention and career growth for our diversified EH&S and Security Division staff and implementation of diversity recruitment practices, the Division will align its diversity initiatives with the Laboratory’s goals and best practices to foster an inclusive work environment, and to have a workforce that reflects the diversity of our community.
Accomplishments in 2004
- Efforts to address underutilization have resulted in the external hire of a minority manager, and the internal promotion of three female employees and one minority employee.
- To retain qualified staff, EH&S and Security supported and paid for professional certification and education development.
- As part of our 2004 Performance Review and Development
process, supervisors were provided with guidance and training
on conducting effective and interactive discussions with
employees about their development and career growth.
- We successfully partnered with Human Resources and Workforce Planning and Development departments to develop strategic recruitment plans for open positions to address underutilization and minority recruitment.
Action Items for 2005
- Form an in-house EH&S and Security Division’s diversity council chaired by the Division Director. The council will meet periodically to evaluate diversity best practices to effectively align Division efforts with strategic initiatives of the LBNL Best Practices Diversity Council.
- In 2004, mentorship for career growth was discussed but not implemented. We will initiate a process to identify mentors within or outside of EH&S and Security to assist with Division employee career development.
- Continue to support all EH&S and Security Division staff by providing professional and educational opportunities for career and skill development.
- Invite a guest speaker to speak on diversity issues. Examples of topics are supervisor training in diversity sensitivity and how to foster good working relationships.
- Recognize and communicate diversity best practices throughout the Division, and pay special attention to differences in religions and cultural backgrounds.
- Continue to partner with Human Resources and Workforce Planning and Development in diversity recruitment, and align our Division with the Best Practices Diversity Council’s Strategic Recruitment Plan.
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