Diversity and Talent Management Practices at IBM

Diversity at the work place in the US originated from the concept of EEO in the 1940s. At IBM, Watson Jr. issued the first equal opportunity policy letter in 1953. Later, it came under government compliance under the Civil Rights Act of the US in 1964.

With the onset of 'globalization' in the 1980s, organizations initiated efforts to broaden their marketplace. In an attempt to sustain themselves amidst the continuously increasing competition, they started doing business across the world. This trend made it important for them to focus on diverse cultures across borders in order to offer products and services that suited the specific needs of different markets...

As one of its major employee retention strategies, IBM offered a comprehensive work/life balance program based on the following seven principles:
• Employees must take responsibility for their own work/life balance needs.
• Work/life balance should have a positive impact on all employees involved.
• Quality of output is more important than the amount of activity.
• Teams should be flexible when balancing working and personal needs.
• Employees must be treated as individuals.
• Ongoing performance and contribution are a prerequisite.
• Achieving work/life balance is hard work and ongoing...