BCBSA's Commitment to Diversity

Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) is an organization that values and promotes diversity in our workplace. Diversity refers to human differences, including those based on culture, ethnicity, gender, age, and disability. All BCBSA associates deserve uncompromising respect and each is a valued member of the Association.

Diversity is about encouraging and enabling all employees to draw fully on their talents and skills for the benefit of BCBSA objectives. People should try new ideas that will improve the workplace, satisfy our customers and community, achieve business success, and foster upward mobility.

Some of the key areas that benefit from a diverse workforce are:

• BCBSA's overall performance : Diversity improves the organization's ability to cope with change; increases productivity and reaction time; and expands creativity, problem-solving resources, and nimbleness.

• Development and relationships of employees : Diversity increases worker retention; improves individual development; broadens and enhances skill levels; and enhances teamwork.

• Marketplace advantage : Diversity provides the organization with greater understanding and sensitivity toward an increasingly diverse customer base, our Plan owners, and business partners/vendors; and stimulates development of products, technologies, and partnerships that respond to emerging possibilities.

• Community relationships : Diversity improves the organization's relationships and partnerships with communities in which we live, recruit, and operate.

BCBSA will strive to maintain a workforce that meets the needs of our customers and the communities where we work and live, and we will select business partners/vendors who understand and respect the importance of diversity.

Diversity is a competitive business advantage and is rooted in social responsibilities that rise above business goals. Thus, BCBSA's traditions in community involvement, cultural celebration and charitable contributions will continue.

BCBSA is committed to providing a work environment in which differences are respected, employees are treated fairly, and individual contributions are valued and rewarded.

In 1999, BCBSA created the Diversity Council based on a recommendation of the Diversity Enhancement Task Force. The mission of Diversity Council is to help create an environment that recognizes and supports the diverse talents and cultural experiences of our employees and one that acknowledges the value of diversity in achieving our corporate goals.