Diversity and Inclusion

When we respect the diversity of our workplace, we create an inclusive environment where everyone can perform to their highest potential.

We strive to create an environment of mutual respect, free from harassment and unprofessional behavior. Our Respect and Responsibility Policy demonstrates our commitment to preventing all inappropriate behavior in the workplace. We avoid conduct and statements that are degrading, offensive, humiliating or intimidating to others. Seemingly innocent actions can create an environment that may be offensive, and we should be alert to our own behavior and the effect it may have on others.

At Dow, we know that our employees are passionate about growing opportunities in the communities in which we live and work. As a company, we feel that community success is an important part of diversity and inclusion in action. Through charitable and volunteer efforts, Dow employees are enhancing many communities around the world, as well as building stronger relationships and connections with one another.

We work to build a diverse talent pipeline and provide access to opportunities for economically disadvantaged and underrepresented groups. By offering scholarships, mentoring relationships and other outreach programs, we enable students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math.

Here are just a few examples of diversity organizations that Dow supports through its philanthropy and volunteerism.

• NACME – National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering, Inc. – Dow’s contribution helps create opportunities for underrepresented minority youth to pursue engineering studies, and helps ensure the successful graduate access to a potentially exciting and rewarding career.
• Serasa Experian – Dow has joined forces with this private company, whose aim is to train and employ persons with disabilities. A four-month training program prepares participants for the workforce, and also enhances and enriches their professional identities.
• Dow Promise – This outreach program works with external partners to help overcome educational and economic challenges of African-American young people and adults in communities near Dow sites.
• Out & Equal – This national nonprofit organization headquartered in San Francisco, Calif., champions safe and equitable workplaces for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people.
• Healthy Women, Healthy Economies – Dow is partnering with the Global Business Coalition (GBC) and the U.S. State Department, as well as other leading corporations, to launch a two-year strategic initiative that will, over the next two years, shape a powerful agenda for corporate investment in women and girls, including radically expanded and improved health outcomes.
• My Handicap – Dow Europe supports this organization, which focuses on meeting the needs of people with disabilities in everyday corporate life, increasing employment of people with disabilities and promoting barrier-free work infrastructures.
• Women’s Empowerment Principles – A partnership of UN Women and the UN Global Compact, this initiative joins 167 companies and other organizations from around the world in their mission to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment.

We have set three corporate diversity goals to assess our progress in building and sustaining a diverse and inclusive culture at Dow:

• To be the "Employer of Choice" in strategic markets where we recruit talent.
• To develop a workforce that reflects the populations we recruit from in the places we do business today and tomorrow. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring that women, ethnic minorities in the U.S., people with disabilities and Asian citizens are represented in our leadership levels.
• To measure and contribute to creating a workplace characterized by respect and where people value diverse perspectives.

We are measuring and tracking our progress on these goals to hold ourselves accountable – and to demonstrate to others that our commitment to diversity and inclusion is backed by meaningful actions and results.

Dow’s Diversity and Inclusion strategy is championed by the Company’s Executive Network Council. The council is chaired by Gregory Freiwald, Chief Human Resources Officer and Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Aviation, and includes members of the Executive Leadership team. Each member is responsible for leading one of Dow’s employee network groups.

The goal of the Executive Network Council is to drive efforts to enhance our workforce so it reflects a truly diverse and inclusive environment similar to our stakeholders, customers, and communities where we operate. The Council will meet regularly to review progress, examine ways to collaborate in these efforts, and remove barriers that could impact the successful accomplishment of this goal.