Cisco’s commitment to inclusion and diversity (I&D) makes us a better company, a better global competitor, and a better corporate citizen. By fully embracing the human network in all its multiplicity, we foster innovation and talent in the workplace and engage more effectively with our customers and partners in the worldwide marketplace.

Cisco is executing on our commitment to I&D by:

• Sponsoring I&D initiatives and providing visibility at the executive level
• Building diversity into the recruiting and hiring process
• Providing mandatory manager and employee training in diversity and actively promoting a culture of inclusion
• Implementing tools and processes to develop I&D awareness, manage a diverse and often virtual workforce, and promote behavior change
• Providing supplemental development opportunities to diverse populations

One important way that Cisco cultivates I&D is through employee resource groups (ERGs). These employee-driven, company-supported affinity groups enable our employees to connect with others who share a similar culture, identity, interest, or career goal. Open to employees around the world, ERGs provide social networking and professional-development support, while also offering opportunities to participate in recruiting, mentoring, and community outreach.

Cisco formed the Global Inclusion and Diversity Council in 2007 to integrate I&D into business processes and operations at all levels of the organization. Led by Senior Vice President of Human Resources Brian Schipper, the council is supported by sponsors at the executive level and reports directly to Cisco’s operating committee.

 

Cisco New Hires by Gender (Non-U.S.)

	FY06	FY07	FY08
Total Number of Hires	3120	4982	4517
Number of Female Hires	694	1029	1018
Percent of Female Hires	22%	21%	23%

 

 

Cisco New Hires by Gender and Ethnicity (U.S. Only)

	FY06	FY07	FY08
Total Number of Hires	3562	5821	5441
Number of Female Hires	1014	1712	1643
Percent of Female Hires	28%	29%	30%
Number of Non-Caucasian Hires	1642	3108	2838
Percent of Non-Caucasian Hires	46%	53%	52%
Total Number of Female/Non-Caucasian Hires	2111	3858	3533
Total Percent of Female/Non-Caucasian Hires	59%	66%	65%

 

 

Cisco Employees by World Market Regions

	FY06	FY07	FY08
Asia-Pacific	4411	7528	9276
Emerging Markets	1549	2406	2921
Europe	5778	6907	7604
Japan	1015	1158	1253
United States and Canada	28,659	33,494	35,832

 

 

I&D Achievements This Year

Here are some examples of our inclusion and diversity achievements in FY08:

• The latest Pulse Survey results indicated progress in our efforts to narrow the gender gap across all business areas. The survey shows that Cisco women’s job satisfaction rate has increased relative to men’s and that there has been an increase in female employee satisfaction in all the survey categories.
• Cisco has virtually eliminated the gender gap in the company’s voluntary attrition rate.
• I&D goals were added to the employee annual performance review form, encouraging employees to find out how they can contribute to a diverse and inclusive culture.
• Cisco was a proud sponsor of International Women’s Day 2008.
• Cisco now provides a resource guide for Cisco employers in the Asia Pacific region that covers disability issues. The guide includes a listing of regional disability-oriented organizations and websites, as well as policy examples and case studies.
• Cisco was named to the 22nd annual Top 100 list in the October 2007 issue of Working Mother magazine, recognizing U.S. companies that provide family-friendly programs and benefits to support working parents.
• Senior Vice President of Manufacturing Angel Mendez was honored as “Visionary of the Year” by the Latinos in Information Sciences and Technology Association in October 2007.
• Cisco attained a score of 100 percent in the Human Rights Campaign’s January 2008 Corporate Equality Index. Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender equality.
• Cisco Australia received the Employer of Choice for Women award in March 2008 from the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency.
• Vice President of Marketing Rick Moran, sponsor of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender & Advocates ERG, was the recipient of the “Above-and-Beyond Executive Sponsorship Award” from Working Mother Media and Diversity Best Practices in May 2008.

Read more about inclusion and diversity at Cisco:

• Employee Resource Groups: Affinity groups that are critical to our I&D efforts
• Diversity Education: The many ways Cisco informs employees about I&D