Careers – Diversity
Business Ethics and Diversity at Waste Management
"Great companies are admired for their products, services, people and integrity. We want to be a great company." - David Steiner, CEO, Waste Management, Inc.
Waste Management is strongly committed to upholding ethical standards and promoting diversity and inclusion. All employees and others performing work on behalf of the company are expected to adhere to the laws and regulations that apply to their work activities and demonstrate ethical behavior in all their decisions and interactions.
The company has established a Business Ethics and Diversity Department to oversee the implementation of a comprehensive corporate Ethics and Diversity program. The department is led by the vice president of business ethics and diversity who reports to the CEO and, periodically, to the Board of Directors.
The objectives of the Business Ethics and Diversity Department are:
- Create an environment where employees understand standards of ethical conduct & abide by those standards
- Develop and sustain a culture where diversity is valued and leveraged, all employees are treated with dignity and respect, are optimal contributors to business objectives and have equal access to opportunity
- Create an organization with best in class representation of all types of people along all dimensions of diversity
- Provide a mechanism for employees to confidentially and/or anonymously communicate breaches in ethical or inclusive behavior without fear of retribution or retaliation
- Supply training and education to reinforce for all employees Waste Management's standards of, and commitment to, ethical conduct, diversity and inclusion
- Identify and develop qualified minority and women owned suppliers that add value to the supply chain
The current initiatives of the Business Ethics and Diversity Department are:
- Ensuring each and every employee is in possession of a current and relevant Code of Conduct, entitled "Focus on Integrity and Inclusion"
The code outlines the company's core values of honesty, respect, responsibility, citizenship, environmental stewardship and excellence, emphasizes the need for fair and honest business dealings in all aspects of the company's business, and provides general guidance.
- Operation of an integrity help line to assist employees who have questions about a business issue or wish to report a suspected violation
This multilingual, confidential and/or anonymous toll-free service is available to all employees 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year.
- Promoting diversity representation of the Board of Directors, senior leadership team, management and professional employees
- Proactive compliance with all EEO and OFCCP regulations
- Developing and delivering diversity and inclusion training to all employees with people management responsibilities
- Regularly communicating Waste Managements commitment to ethics, diversity and inclusion
- Focusing strategic partnerships with community organizations that share our diversity and inclusion commitments
- Increasing our procurement spends with minority and woman owned businesses
By maintaining a "Focus on Integrity and Inclusion", Waste Management employees will help to minimize business risks and liabilities, while maintaining high standards of personal and professional conduct. This focus will be a key ingredient in creating a reputation for organizational and operational excellence.
Practicing inclusive management creates a high performing work environment where all Waste Management employees and strategic partners are treated with dignity and respect, are optimal contributors to business objectives and have equal access to opportunity.
Mutual Respect
In working together we emphasize teamwork, dignity and mutual respect. We are fair, reasonable, and courteous in working with others. We value our differences.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Waste Management is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an environment free of unlawful discrimination. It is the policy of the company to provide equal employment opportunity for all persons by placing the most qualified person in each job, without regard to race, color, sex, religion, marital status, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, citizenship status or other protected group status as defined by applicable federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to, but is not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, demotion, transfer, recall, recruitment, recruitment advertising, lay-off or termination, rate of pay or other forms of compensation, selection for training, and all other terms and conditions of employment. We will not tolerate discrimination of any kind.
Preventing Harassment
Behavior that targets an employee because of his or her race, color, sex, , religion, marital status, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, citizenship status or other protected group status as defined by applicable federal, state or local laws is prohibited. Such verbal or physical conduct that unreasonably disrupts another employee in his or her work is harassment. Each of us has the right to be free from improper or offensive conduct at work. Waste Management employees, customers, vendors and visitors will be treated with dignity, respect and fairness. Unwelcome, insulting, or offensive remarks or actions have no place at Waste Management. This behavior has a negative impact on performance and our business results. To maintain a work atmosphere free from harassment, each of us will exercise good judgment in our relationships with our co-workers.
Health and Safety
The safe operation of Waste Management activities is always a primary goal.
All employees, without exception, are responsible for ensuring that all Waste Management operations are conducted safely. Employees are expected to observe all safety rules and practices and to follow instructions concerning safe and efficient work practices.
Each employee must immediately report any work-related accident, illness, unsafe condition or practice to an appropriate supervisor or manager.
Waste Management and its employees must remain committed to taking all reasonable steps to preserve and enhance the environment, public health and safety.
Alcohol and Illegal Drugs
We maintain a workplace that is free from the effects of drug and alcohol abuse. Alcohol abuse and illegal drug use threatens our ability to serve our customers. It compromises the safety of our products and services. Waste Management will not tolerate any use of drugs or abuse of alcohol while employees are engaged in company business or while working at a company location. This specifically excludes the use of alcohol as sanctioned by the company at company functions.
All employees are subject to pre-employment screening, reasonable suspicion, periodic, and/or random drug and alcohol testing.
If you are taking a prescription drug, which may interfere with your ability to perform your job, you must discuss the situation with your immediate supervisor or the Human Resources Department.
Workplace Violence
We provide a safe working environment for everyone. Waste Management has a zero tolerance policy on acts of violence and verbal or physical behavior that could lead to or cause workplace violence. Waste Management does not tolerate violent behavior at our workplaces, whether committed by or against our employees. These behaviors are prohibited: making threatening remarks, causing physical injury to someone else, intentionally damaging someone else’s property, and/or acting aggressively in a way that causes someone else to fear they could be injured.
Use good judgment and inform your supervisor, manager, corporate security, or human resources if you observe behavior that could be dangerous. If you feel you are in immediate danger you should notify 911 immediately.
Privacy
Employee information and data is confidential and used only for valid business purposes. Waste Management complies with the HIPAA Privacy Rule as issued by the Department of Health and Human Services.
While Waste Management respects employee privacy, employees will not expect privacy when using company provided services and equipment. We reserve the right to inspect our facilities and property, such as computers, telephone records, lockers, e-mail, internet usage, business documents, offices and other workplaces. Bottom line - Treat people with dignity and respect - they perform better and stay longer.
