Developing and sustaining a diverse workforce

A workforce of people from different backgrounds, cultures and experiences is indispensable in today's global business environment, in part because it can help enhance understanding of regional markets and sensitivity to cultural norms and labor market issues. In 2008, the UBS workforce included citizens of 153 countries. The scope of UBS's diversity initiatives is global, with 10 regional diversity boards translating this global commitment into regional action, working with local business and HR leaders. In addition, more than 20 employee networks globally help to build cross-business relationships and strengthen UBS's inclusive culture.

Over the past six years, UBS has promoted diversity in three stages: raising basic awareness; integrating diversity into management processes such as recruiting and performance management; and ensuring that diversity ultimately becomes a self-sustaining part of the workplace culture. In 2008, efforts continued to focus on making diversity self-sustaining by linking diversity to revenue generation. Among other initiatives, UBS invited women clients and prospects in China, Italy, Switzerland, the UK and the US to targeted events designed to help UBS build market share among this important client segment.

UBS also continued its program to help professionals return to work after a career break. In 2008, four such programs were held in London, Philadelphia / New York, Singapore and Sydney. These programs have helped more than 300 professionals, primarily women, prepare to return to work over the past two years. In addition, UBS was recognized by Working Mother magazine as being among the 100 best companies for working mothers in the US for the sixth consecutive year.

Composition of UBS’s workforce by citizenship