Recognizing people with disabilities

Cummins Inc. harnesses the diversity of its employees to deliver superior solutions for their customers and communities. It is how the company wins with the power of difference. Diversity, equity, inclusion and culture are not just words but pillars that define Cummins and its unwavering commitment to create stronger environments where everyone belongs.
 
In keeping with this commitment, Cummins is pleased to announce the establishment of Aspirational Representation Goals (ARGs) for people with disabilities for employment at all levels of the organization. Comprising more than 15% of the world’s population, people with disabilities are of every nationality, ethnicity, race, age, gender, sexual orientation and socioeconomic group. When visualized, the Disability ARGs will account for approximately 7% of the company’s workforce.

Valuing differences

Cummins aspires for its employee representation to mirror or exceed that of its communities, capitalizing on the unique talents and inherent intersectionality of this population to provide the company with an overall competitive advantage in the marketplace. 

Dennis Heathfield, Executive Director, Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and also serves as Disability Inclusion Initiative Leader, shares: “This representation goal sends a powerful message to the organization and community about the value Cummins places on people with disabilities and our commitment to assemble a workforce that is reflective of the global communities in which we have a presence – where our employees live and work.”

Cummins’ progress and support of this commitment was recently celebrated when the company was awarded “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion” for the third year in a row in 2023. Cummins earned this distinction by achieving a top score of 100 on the Disability Equality Index (DEI), a comprehensive benchmarking tool that helps companies build a roadmap of measurable, tangible actions that can be taken to achieve disability and inclusion and equality. “We use the DEI to help inform our disability inclusion strategy, to measure our progress against a globally recognized standard and to more effectively attract and retain valuable talent from a historically underutilized workforce,” says Heathfield.

Cummins strives to be an employer of choice for people with disabilities and will continue to work to eliminate employment barriers within our communities. Cummins employees proudly support this work by joining related Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), becoming an ally or learning more about experiences of people with disabilities in the workplace from employee training courses. The organization also provides tangible resources available for employees as well as support and guidance through its Global Inclusion Leadership Council (GILC) and Global Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Culture leadership team.

Inspiring inclusivity

At Cummins’ recent diversity town hall, Jennifer Rumsey, Chair and CEO, and Carolyn Butler-Lee, Vice President, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Culture, at Cummins, met with employees to announce the company’s new aspirational representation goal for people with disabilities. “This announcement ties directly to how we value difference and shows the direct actions we take to ensure we are fostering inclusive environments, where everyone belongs,” says Butler-Lee. She continues, “We want our employees to recognize the unique talents and strengths they bring to Cummins and are encouraged to be their authentic selves every day.”  
These aspirations and achievements illustrate how Cummins is courageous in its commitment to see a world, workplace and culture where all people are embraced for who they are, what they contribute and what they aspire to achieve. “We still have progress to make, and I am fiercely committed to continuing our intentional focus on diversity, equity, inclusion and culture in all areas of our organization,” says Rumsey.  The company’s Global Disability Inclusion initiative aims to create an accessible, inclusive workplace where people with disabilities are enabled to fulfill their potential, and this new aspirational employment representation goal for people with disabilities is yet another testament to that endeavor.

If you are interested in learning more about current events at Cummins or exploring the career opportunities available, visit cummins.com now!