FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Melissa A. Hicks
Mosaic Marketing
April 15, 2005 877.238.4045

CTHRA Roundtable Reveals Cable’s Top Workforce Diversity Initiatives

Naperville, Ill.– Human resources professionals from cable’s MSO, programmer and vendor communities gathered in New York City on Tuesday, April 12 to participate in a workforce diversity roundtable discussion organized by the Cable and Telecommunications Human Resources Association (CTHRA). During the event, participants received a first-hand look at the recently released 2004 Employment Diversity Study conducted by the National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC). The research findings served as a springboard for discussing strategies that foster the recruitment, advancement and retention of employees of color, female professionals, and individuals with disabilities.

Based on roundtable participants’ input, CTHRA identified a number of best practices currently being leveraged within the cable industry to drive workforce diversity including:

  1. Establish diversity as a core competency for leadership advancement and compensation.
  2. Work with managers at all levels to provide a personal plan of action to support the company’s commitment to diversity and regularly review progress.
  3. Establish a departmental annual report of diversity initiatives to be reviewed by the president of the organization.
  4. Implement a mentoring program to foster the development and advancement of minorities, women, and employees with disabilities.
  5. Implement a 360 degree evaluation for every manager and executive to assess each individual’s commitment to the company’s diversity program, identify goals and monitor progress.
  6. Develop and conduct diversity training workshops throughout the company.
  7. Extend the initiative beyond employees by implementing a supplier diversity program that encompasses vendors, freelancers and service providers.
  8. Develop relationships with organizations serving disabled individuals to help expand the pool of employment candidates.
  9. Create a senior-level position focused on multicultural programs to ensure a global and strategic approach to workforce diversity.
  10. Dedicate a marketing person to enhance the message of diversity throughout the organization.

“CTHRA’s diversity roundtable provided a valuable forum for HR professionals to exchange a wide range of diversity initiatives that have been implemented within our industry. By learning from each others’ successes and disappointments, attendees gained insight and identified resources to help them fine tune their existing workforce diversity strategies and optimize results,” stated Beth Arnholt, CTHRA’s vice president and vice president of human resources for Comcast Cable’s eastern division.

Rosalind Clay Carter, CTHRA board member and senior vice president of human resources for A&E Television Networks, served as chairperson for the roundtable program. The event was sponsored by Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, LLP.

About CTHRA
The Cable and Telecommunications Human Resources Association (CTHRA) is a nonprofit association committed to helping industry professionals leverage effective human resources strategies to improve organizational and industry-wide success. CTHRA provides its growing membership with comprehensive bench marking reports, resources, networking opportunities and educational programs including the distinguished CTHRA Symposium which will be held on May 18, 2005 in Atlanta. For more information, visit www.cthra.com.

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