At Consolidated Communications, we seek
high-quality
employees of all backgrounds and experiences. We
welcome
differences and diversity as qualities that
enhance our efforts
as a team and believe embracing diversity and a
culture of
inclusion makes Consolidated Communications a
better
company. We believe diversity
contributes to different ideas
and better decisions,
which in turn drives better results for
our customers and our
shareholders. In accordance with our
core values,
Consolidated Communications is focused on
improving diversity
within our workplace and leadership team.
In an effort to promote diversity and
eliminate any potential
hiring biases, the company continues to evaluate
and
improve recruiting
initiatives affecting hiring for open
company positions. We
also partner with diversity and
veteran-focused job
websites to attract a large, more
diverse pool of
potential candidates.
Consolidated Communications has been and
will continue
to be an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action,
Disabled
and Veteran Friendly Employer. We strive to
maintain
workplaces that are free from any type of
discrimination or
harassment by recruiting, hiring, assigning and
promoting
without regard to race, ethnicity, color,
religion, sex, sexual
orientation, gender identity, age, national
origin, disability or
any other factor prohibited by law. Consolidated
Communications reasonably accommodates qualified applicants with
covered disabilities
who can perform the essential functions
of the job with or
without reasonable accommodation.
All employees are required to complete
annual harassment
prevention training, which includes education
regarding
harassment based on protected classes, as part of
their
professional
development coursework, but we know we
must expand our
efforts far beyond legal compliance. In
2022, the company
added training on Unconscious Bias to
all employees’
learning paths.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council
In 2022, Consolidated adopted a
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policy, led by the Human Resources team in
collaboration with the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council. The Council is
a cross-functional team that develops resources and provides input and guidance
aimed at ensuring the company is a place where differences are welcomed, every
employee can feel supported and be successful, and all customers and
communities are recognized and respected.
Over the past year, the Council created
and published a Pronoun Resource Guide to help employees navigate discussions
around gender identity and pronoun use, and ensure a more welcoming environment
to employees across the gender spectrum. The Council regularly publishes
stories on our DE&I Intranet page highlighting a variety of cultural
traditions, holidays and notable events for people across different faiths,
ethnicities and backgrounds. We strive
to create a work environment that provides all employees with equal access to
information, equitable opportunities and ongoing career development. As we
continue advancing in our diversity journey, we frequently seek out employee
feedback through formal surveys along with participation in annual employee
meetings, quarterly employee town halls, webcasts and always-on Q&A forms
on our intranet.
Detailed information on our Diversity, Equity &
Inclusion initiatives is available in
Consolidated’s 2022 ESG Report.