Dell Receives Top U.S. Government Award for Workplace Diversity Efforts

"Diversity has long been a core element of Dell's values andcorporate culture," said Thurmond B. Woodard, Dell's vice president ofglobal diversity. "From recruitment to valuing and rewarding ourexisting employees, Dell's commitment to create and maintain a diversework environment is a cornerstone of our global operations."

Woodard was joined by Dell Americas Senior Vice President Ro Parrain receiving the award from U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao duringa ceremony here today.

"This award represents the highest level of voluntary commitmentby a private sector company to equal employment opportunity," saidU.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. "Dell is a company thatfosters as its basic core value a commitment to equal employmentopportunity throughout its organization."

The Secretary of Labor's Opportunity Award since 1988 has honoredone federal contractor each year that has established and institutedcomprehensive workforce strategies to ensure equal employmentopportunity. In 2003, Dell was honored with the Department of Labor'sExemplary Voluntary Efforts (EVE) Award, which honors federalcontractors that have demonstrated exemplary and innovative efforts toincrease the employment opportunities of employees, includingminorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans.

Dell's workforce is made up of about 67,000 people who live andwork on six continents and deliver products and services to more than190 countries.

Over the years, Dell has launched several internal and externalinitiatives to encourage an inclusive work environment. Key componentsof Dell's diversity program include:

Recruitment and Retention: Dell sponsors and participates innumerous diversity recruiting events. Dell leaders also are heldaccountable for diversity efforts with performance objectives,diversity dashboards and people reviews.

Fostering a Diverse Culture: Dell has created a Global DiversityCouncil, chaired by CEO Kevin Rollins and supported by diversityaction councils made up of Dell employees to help provide internalstrategic direction on diversity.

Supplier Diversity: Since 2001, Dell has steadily increased itsspending with minority, women and disadvantaged suppliers by more than66 percent, reaching the $1 billion mark in 2003. Dell received the"2005 Corporation of the Year" award from the Central and South TexasMinority Business Council, which recognizes the member corporationthat demonstrates the deepest commitment to minority businessdevelopment.

Digital Inclusion: Dell's TechKnow program provides low-incomemiddle-school students the opportunity to earn a home computer bydemonstrating teamwork, a working knowledge of the Internet, andcomputer and collaboration skills. About 80 percent of graduates areminority students and 45 percent of participants are girls.

Community Involvement: Dell has formed a number of partnershipswith key multicultural organizations, including the CongressionalBlack Caucus Foundation, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute,National Urban League, United Negro College Fund and League of UnitedLatin American Citizens.

Dell has also worked to promote diversity among other companies,as well as gain a better understanding of some of the challenges womenexperience in the workplace. Last year, Dell and Washington,D.C.-based Diversity Best Practices co-hosted a Global DiversitySummit at Dell's Round Rock headquarters that included 30 topdiversity executives and women business leaders from Fortune 500companies to discuss the changing role of women in different culturesand its effect on recruitment, advancement and retention.

About Dell

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