Safeco Ranks Sixth Among Nation’s Most Diverse Cos.

DiversityInc unveiled its list of America’s most inclusive companies, with Seattle-based Safeco earning the sixth-highest honor. In last year’s ranking of top-50 companies, Safeco placed 16th.

“Safeco’s strengths included its significant percentage of women in management positions, its clear emphasis on work-life issues, the racial/ethnic diversity of its workforce, and the company’s commitment to advertising in media that reach diverse communities,” cited Barbara Frankel, DiversityInc vice president and executive editor, for Safeco’s leap up the chart. “In addition, CEO Mike McGavick puts real importance on diversity, as evidenced by having the diversity leader accountable to him.”

McGavick intends to keep Safeco at the top of DiversityInc’s corporate ratings. “Diversity is an integral part of who we are at Safeco. The way we see it, companies that fail to approach business with an inclusive philosophy are not only doing a disservice to their co-workers, customers, distributors and shareholders, they’re charting a course for failure,” he said.

“Safeco intends to survive — and thrive — through our openness to new ideas and perspectives. Our recruitment and retention efforts allow us to open our doors to the best and broadest set of talents. Our expansion into underserved markets gives us access to new and profitable business opportunities. And, our investments in communities strengthen the environment in which our current and potential customers and our co-workers live and work.”