Ultimate Software, a leading provider of human capital management (HCM) solutions in the cloud, announced that the company has been named to Forbes magazine’s America’s Best Employers for Diversity 2019 list. Ultimate ranked #35 of 500 companies representing a variety of industries—from technology, healthcare, and retail to hospitality, construction, and finance—with thousands of employees working across the United States.
“At Ultimate, it’s the individual strengths, unique experiences, diverse views, and creative ideas of our people that make us who we are—working together and thriving as one team,” said Vivian Maza, chief people officer at Ultimate. “We treat each other like family, we take care of one another, and we always put others before ourselves. ‘People First’ has been our mantra since day one, and we believe in its power to make a meaningful difference, not just in the workplace but throughout our society. We take great pride in our diversity, because we know it’s what empowers us all to create Ultimate’s unmatched company culture, HR technology, and personalized customer service.”
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Ultimate has long included diversity and inclusion training as part of its leadership-development program, LeadUS, for current and future managers. Course curricula includes workshops on creating environments of safety and trust, recognizing and avoiding unconscious biases in the workplace, and embracing creative differences to drive innovation. As part of the company’s “New Hire Ultimization” orientation, all employees also receive training in Whole Brain Thinking and learn how to have productive, “Fierce Conversations” that respect individuals’ diverse ways of thinking and processing information. In January 2019, Ultimate announced the launch of U Belong, a diversity, equality, and belonging program dedicated to ensuring all employees continue to feel safe and welcome bringing their whole selves to work. U Belong builds upon the foundations and principles of Ultimate’s longstanding diversity practices, working with leaders across the company to develop a comprehensive diversity program and support system to better serve Ultimate’s employees.
To further promote and ensure a workplace culture of inclusivity, equality, and acceptance of all people, Ultimate also encourages employee participation in companywide Communities of Interest. There are four, diverse groups: PRIDEUS for LGBTQIA individuals; Women in Leadership for women at all levels of the organization; UltiVETS for veterans and active service members; and UltiHOPE, which provides a support network for cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers. Because Ultimate’s Communities of Interest are intended to be inclusive, “allies” are welcome to join any community they choose to support and advocate. Each group hosts a variety of networking events, professional-development workshops, social gatherings, and community-service outings throughout the year.
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Ultimate also offers an extensive benefits package to support its people as professionals and outside of work, highlighted by 100% employer-paid healthcare premiums for employees and their families (including same-sex married couples), with coverage for IVF treatments and transgender reassignment; a 45% dollar-for-dollar match on all employee 401(k) contributions, with no cap, up to federal limits; shares of company stock gifted upon hiring, with the opportunity to earn additional shares for outstanding performance; unlimited PTO to help employees relax, recharge, and pursue personal interests; and 3 paid service days annually for volunteering at charities of their choosing.
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To the compile the second-annual America’s Best Employers for Diversity list, Forbes partnered with market-research firm Statista to survey 50,000 Americans working at companies with 1,000 or more employees. Respondents rated their organizations on the overall treatment of individuals based on factors such as age, gender, ethnicity, disability, and sexual orientation, as well as their companies’ general diversity practices. Ultimate ranked the highest among Florida-based organizations making the list and joins such global companies as Amazon, Deloitte, KPMG, Nestlé, and Visa earning 2019 rankings.
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