Information on our diversity and inclusion acceptance and education programs
Diverse Thinking
We share our diversity education endeavors companywide with periodic ”Think Sessions.” These assemblies are designed to provoke discussion among leaders about creating a diverse workplace.
Steelcase also partners with several organizations to bring influential speakers to the community.
Working with Grand Rapids Community College, TED and the World Affairs Council, we’ve hosted B.D. Wong, Eric Alva, and Prince Cedza Dlamini, among others, who have shared new ways of thinking about diversity and inclusion with our employees and community members.
Diversity and Ethics Education
Steelcase demonstrates our company-wide devotion to global inclusion with EEO and diversity training. Since the early 1980s, EEO sessions have been required for all employees, in order to improve harassment awareness and leadership skills.
Since our company’s founding, we’ve placed a great emphasis on thinking and acting with integrity. Our corporate standards reflect that by surpassing legal and regulatory requirements in countries where we do business.
In 2000, Steelcase began providing Global Business Standards training to Steelcase employees worldwide to encourage the practicing of good business principles.
Additionally, we encourage our dealers, suppliers, service providers, consultants and business partners to operate with integrity. As a company, we are committed to embracing and exploring all aspects of diversity from employee education to dealer and supplier relationships.
Internal Efforts
Internally, we focus on increasing our employment diversity by regularly reporting measures to senior leaders.
Many of our employees dedicate time and effort to bridging cultural gaps. A number of Steelcase employees have spoken publically on topics regarding diversity and inclusion. Several company leaders serve as board members and active members of organizations focused specifically on global inclusion efforts.
Internal Groups
Steelcase has a number of internal groups focused on diversity and inclusion efforts.
The Inclusion Partners group at Steelcase was formed in 2008-2009 to better the work experience of all employees.
The group includes 20 employees around the globe and meets once a month via video conference to discuss ways to increase employee understanding and awareness of the many diverse characteristics that comprise our company.
Another internal groups that enhance our global diversity efforts is Inclusive Partners.
Inforum
Steelcase is a corporate member of Inforum, a professional women’s alliance in Michigan formerly known as the Women’s Economic Club.
With more than 2,000 members in three locations in the state (Detroit, Lansing, and Grand Rapids), Inforum’s mission is to strengthen the business environment in Michigan by creating opportunities for women to lead and succeed.
Several female leaders at Steelcase were charter (founding) members of the West Michigan chapter of Inforum, which has 500-plus members representing most of the major companies in the region.
Diversity Forum
Steelcase’s Diversity Forum is a periodic meeting of company leaders. The objectives of the forum are to:
Build awareness of our diversity efforts
Share ideas for creating long-term diverse activities
Facilitate a global network to positively influence our diversity efforts
Empower leaders to personalize diversity efforts within their teams