Genetic non-discrimination

July 17, 2008

During a recent conference call, I learned that IBM has adopted a genetic non-discrimination policy. Apparently this news somehow slipped past me back in 2005 when it was announced. The company also supports proposed legislation to make it illegal to discriminate based on someone’s genetic code.

A few other facts about IBM you might not know:

• IBM hired its first black employee in 1899, along with three female employees. (At the time, it was known as the Computing Scale Company.) The four worked for the company for over 25 years.
• The first disabled employee was hired in 1914.
• IBM began hiring women to work as professional systems service staff in 1935. Thomas J. Watson Sr. wrote: “Men and women will do the same kind of work for equal pay. They will have the same treatment, the same responsibilities and the same opportunities for advancement.”
• In 1944, IBM was the first corporation to support the United Negro College Fund.
• In 1953, IBM published the first US corporate mandate on equal employment opportunity, stating that the company would hire people based on their ability, “regardless of race, color or creed”.
• Sexual orientation was added to the nondiscrimination policy in 1984.

So no, it really isn’t a bunch of middle-aged white guys in suits. Which reminds me–the dress code was relaxed in the early 90s. I’ve seen senior executives get teased during on-stage presentations for wearing a tie. At IBM Austin I’ve seen sandals and Hawaiian shirts.

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