Christina E. Clayton
General Counsel
Xerox has consistently been in the forefront as a leader among progressive companies. The company was the recipient of the first “Glass Ceiling” Award from the U.S. Department of Labor. In 2000, Xerox won both the Frances Perkins Vanguard Award and the Dwight D. Eisenhower Award for Excellence. For 2001, Xerox was ranked sixth on Fortune Magazine’s annual list of “America’s 50 Best Companies for Minorities.”
In the last year, women at Xerox have broken some glass ceilings of their own, achieving two significant diversity milestones. In July 2000, Chris Clayton became Xerox’s first female general counsel, and this past July, Anne Mulchay became its first female chief executive officer. Their success, and that of thousands of Xerox women and minorities, is a result of the way Xerox manages diversity. Five fundamental elements make up the diversity management process: senior leadership, line management responsibility, resource planning, a receptive environment, and active support of Xerox’s employee caucus groups.
The legal department also strives to mirror the diversity of all of Xerox employees, customers and society. Forty-four percent of Xerox’s staff attorneys are minority and/or female. Recognizing that short-term accommodations can be the key to long-term retention, Xerox encourages its employees to create their personal and professional obligations. Lawyers and support staff take advantage of flex time and telecommuting. At Xerox, the annual succession-planning process identifies key talent, retention risks and any skill gaps. Diversity figures prominently in all succession-planning discussions.
Xerox is truly a shining example of inclusion in action.
Return to List of 2001 Award Winners
From the March 2002 issue of Diversity & The Bar®