São Paulo, Brazil - September 14, 2009
For the 13th straight time, Dow earned a recognition as one of the best companies to work for in Brazil, according to "The 150 Best Companies To You Work For" Guide, published annually by major Brazilian business and HR magazines Exame and Você S/A (Abril Editions). As one of the three companies – the only chemical industry - present in all editions of the Guide, Dow was honored during the launch ceremony of the 2009 edition, Wednesday (9/9), in São Paulo city, Brazil.
"Being in the Guide for the 13th consecutive year is a clear demonstration that our policies and practices in people management are consistent and sustainable. In addition, we are proud that our efforts are supported and recognized by our employees, because their perception has a very important role in the evaluation of the Guide," said Lia Azevedo, Human Resources director for Dow Latin America.
Once again, Dow Brasil has been highlighted by its modern and high-level policies in compensation and benefits, people management and development and talent attraction. Features like investment in training, opportunities for career development, high-level selection processes and benefits "praised by the employees” were highlighted in the Guide as strong point recognized in the Company’s people-centric performance culture.
“Our people, the Human Element, is essential to assure Dow’s goal to continue being a leading chemical company worldwide. Our unbreakable respect for people leads us towards the maintenance of an inclusive and diverse environment, where professionals can develop and deliver the best of their potentials,” says Lia Azevedo. “We are more than proud to be considered as a benchmark in people management policies and practices. We are fully committed to continue growing and improving to be the most profitable and the most respected chemical company, besides a great place to work.”
The process to earn a nomination in the distinguished list of the "150 Best Companies To You Work For" includes the completion of a technical questionnaire (gathering information on employment, infrastructure, HR policies and practices, financial results and other data), interviews with randomly chosen employees and executives and interviews with the HR leadership.
The final grade attributed to the companies is composed by three indexes: Quality of Workplace Index (regarding the perception of employees about the company), Quality of People Management Index (regarding the HR policies and practices) and a grade attributed by the Guide’s journalist after his visit to the company and the personal interviews with employees and executives. The ranking’s methodology is developed by The Administration Institute (FIA), linked to the world-renowned University of São Paulo (USP).
Multiple recognitions
Dow’s aggressive steps in order to develop people and promote diversity internally include increasing the number of women in leadership positions, development of programs focused on racial inclusion, recognition of homosexual rights by including partners as benefits dependants and hiring and development of professionals with special needs.
The 13th straight nomination in the highly-respected "The 150 Best Companies To You Work For" Guide is not the only distinctive people-focused recognition for Dow Brasil in 2009. In August, the Company’s efforts to promote diversity among its work force were officially honored by the Government of São Paulo State, as Dow became one of 24 companies – the only petrochemical - chosen to earn the “São Paulo’s Diversity Seal” in its first edition. The award was created by the State Government in order to honor and promote structured programs increasing diversity - nationality, gender, age, language, race, religion, disability or sexual orientation - state-wide.
Results like these underline the efforts of more than 50 years of commitment and investments in Brazil. Dow has grown to be one of the largest chemical companies in Brazil, with 2,300 employees operating countrywide.
About Dow
For Editorial Information:
Fernão Silveira
The Dow Chemical Company
55 11 5188-9217
Rafael Presilli
Ketchum Estratégia Assessoria de Comunicação
55 11 5090-8969
rafael.presilli@ketchum.com.br
