Diversity Management Plan For Verizon

Diversity Management Plan, Verizon

Introduction

Verizon Communications has recently agreed to pay $20 million to resolve the complaints of their employees that claim Verizon fired them for missed work due to their disability (EEOC, 2011). Verizon Communications attendance policy, prior to this lawsuit, was designed to show all employees as equal. Employees were allowed “chargeable absences”, with this each absence was assigned points. If an employee acquired a certain number of points they were disciplined or fired, regardless if the absence was due to a disability. The EEOC filed a lawsuit alleging that Verizon denied reasonable accommodations in pursuant of their “no fault” attendance policy and thus violated the ADA law protecting employees

Verizon Communication strives to be a workplace that enables all employees to achieve their potential. Acknowledging diversity and promoting a diverse work environment help develop innovative ideas, problem solving, improved morale, efficiently improves, and develops an inclusive environment. This plan will show the benefits that can be achieved by creating an environment acceptant of a diverse workforce.

Strategies

To create a work environment that is beneficial to Verizon and its workforce there are policies that Verizon should implement.

• Flexible work schedules – This allows employees to work a 40 hour week, while also having the ability to have necessary time needed for personal matters.

• Hours Bank – Allows employees to accumulate extra hours worked to be used at a later time.

• Tele-work – Allows employees to work some hours from home through the use of technology.

• Shared work – Allows part-time employees to work together to maintain one full-time job.

• Neutral hiring and promotion – Focus on skills, experience, and education. Insure the process is accessible to all

• Reduced turnover – Maintaining employees is more beneficial than new employees in the terms of cost to the company to train.

• Well trained staff – Offering training to all employees even when they are on extended leave helps to maintain their knowledge. This is beneficial to Verizon as time will not have to be spent re-training and they know their employees are all capable to perform their job.

• Improved image – Verizon will be seen as a company that supports their employees. This asset will bring wider talent to Verizon.

Conclusion

Creating a diverse work environment ensures that your employees are able to achieve their full potential. It also breeds a culture of acceptance and increases morale. Verizon Communications will be more representative of their customer base and will outpace their competitors. Employees will be more loyal, produce quality work, and safer at work if they feel supported in managing their leave time (Canas & Sondak, 2013). This plan hopes that Verizon Communications will implement these changes in accordance to their attendance