CIGNA Recognized As Friendly Employer For People Of Color

CIGNA's diversity efforts recently earned it two notable distinctions. According to Fortune magazine, CIGNA is one of the 50 Best Companies for Asians, Blacks and Hispanics. CIGNA also was selected by Latina Style magazine as one of the top 50 companies providing the best opportunities for Hispanic women. Both awards were announced last week.

Fortune's listing is the result of a survey developed in partnership with the Council on Economic Priorities to measure companies' overall commitment to people of color. Criteria included each company's practices of hiring, promoting and retaining people of color. Other critical indicators, such as minority representation throughout the company, the use of diversity training programs, the amount of business conducted with minority firms and the amount of charitable contributions that benefit minorities also were considered.

In choosing its top 50 companies, the editors of Latina Style magazine examined compensation, company benefits, available opportunities for women to advance, childcare, diversity and family-friendly benefits. In addition, the magazine looked for a company's commitment to providing a supportive workplace for professional Latina women.

"We are honored to receive this recognition from Latina Style and Fortune," says Wilson H. Taylor, CIGNA's CEO. "We strive to maintain an environment that attracts and retains talented, diverse people of all backgrounds. Latinas, Blacks and Asians are some of the fastest growing groups of professionals and entrepreneurs in America. They are important CIGNA customers, and important members of our workforce."

Asians, Blacks and Hispanics also provide products and services for several CIGNA businesses. Minority-owned firms are a significant part of CIGNA's Minority Vendor program. This program underscores the company's overall commitment to supporting minority- and women-owned firms.

CIGNA recruits and hires from some of the most ethnically diverse talent pools in this country and abroad. The company's efforts to hire, promote and advance ethnic minorities also have earned recognition by the U.S. Department of Labor with the prestigious Exemplary Voluntary Efforts (EVE) Award.