Dell is a company that fosters as its basic core value a commitment to equal employment opportunity throughout its organization.
Elaine L. Chao, U.S. Secretary of Labor

Dell was honored today by the U.S. Department of Labor as the 2005 recipient of the Secretary of Labor's Opportunity Award, the federal government's highest award recognizing voluntary workplace diversity efforts among federal contractors.

"Diversity has long been a core element of Dell's values and corporate culture," said Thurmond B. Woodard, Dell's vice president of global diversity. "From recruitment to valuing and rewarding our existing employees, Dell's commitment to create and maintain a diverse work environment is a cornerstone of our global operations."

Woodard was joined by Dell Americas Senior Vice President Ro Parra in receiving the award from U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao during a ceremony here today.

"This award represents the highest level of voluntary commitment by a private sector company to equal employment opportunity," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. "Dell is a company that fosters as its basic core value a commitment to equal employment opportunity throughout its organization."

The Secretary of Labor's Opportunity Award since 1988 has honored one federal contractor each year that has established and instituted comprehensive workforce strategies to ensure equal employment opportunity. In 2003, Dell was honored with the Department of Labor's Exemplary Voluntary Efforts (EVE) Award, which honors federal contractors that have demonstrated exemplary and innovative efforts to increase the employment opportunities of employees, including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans.

Dell's workforce is made up of about 67,000 people who live and work on six continents and deliver products and services to more than 190 countries.

Over the years, Dell has launched several internal and external initiatives to encourage an inclusive work environment. Key components of Dell's diversity program include:

Recruitment and Retention: Dell sponsors and participates in numerous diversity recruiting events. Dell leaders also are held accountable for diversity efforts with performance objectives, diversity dashboards and people reviews.

Fostering a Diverse Culture: Dell has created a Global Diversity Council, chaired by CEO Kevin Rollins and supported by diversity action councils made up of Dell employees to help provide internal strategic direction on diversity.

Supplier Diversity: Since 2001, Dell has steadily increased its spending with minority, women and disadvantaged suppliers by more than 66 percent, reaching the $1 billion mark in 2003. Dell received the "2005 Corporation of the Year" award from the Central and South Texas Minority Business Council, which recognizes the member corporation that demonstrates the deepest commitment to minority business development.

Digital Inclusion: Dell's TechKnow program provides low-income middle-school students the opportunity to earn a home computer by demonstrating teamwork, a working knowledge of the Internet, and computer and collaboration skills. About 80 percent of graduates are minority students and 45 percent of participants are girls.

Community Involvement: Dell has formed a number of partnerships with key multicultural organizations, including the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, National Urban League, United Negro College Fund and League of United Latin American Citizens.

Dell has also worked to promote diversity among other companies, as well as gain a better understanding of some of the challenges women experience in the workplace. Last year, Dell and Washington, D.C.-based Diversity Best Practices co-hosted a Global Diversity Summit at Dell's Round Rock headquarters that included 30 top diversity executives and women business leaders from Fortune 500 companies to discuss the changing role of women in different cultures and its effect on recruitment, advancement and retention.