Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, the state’s largest health insurer, is a place where our associates can contribute immediately, grow their careers, and give back to the communities of Massachusetts. For more than 75 years, Blue Cross has been a leader in health care by engaging its workforce in a shared commitment to excellence and social responsibility.

Driving a culture that values workplace diversity and inclusion Blue Cross welcomes the unique experiences and viewpoints of every employee by combining a strong corporate diversity infrastructure and strategic plan, a robust community diversity effort, and a leading-edge supplier diversity program.

Having a strong mix of employees with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives is essential to the success of our overall strategy. Enabling the attraction, retention, and development of diverse talent is a key driver behind the D&I strategic plan. The plan fully integrates D&I principles and practices into the business planning process, day-to-day operations, and evaluation methodology through four areas of focus: talent, innovation, market, and community.

D&I is also incorporated into the performance management process with D&I measurements included in annual performance plans as well as internal diversity leadership awards given on a quarterly basis. These key initiatives are designed to generate excitement and outstanding results for Blue Cross community members, customers, and employees.

Additionally, Blue Cross sponsors and provides access to numerous programs that support diverse groups including The Disparities Leadership Program; The Next Generation Executive Program; and Women’s Leadership Program.

The major goals for Blue Cross’ D&I strategy are to create an inclusive environment, drive representation of diverse employees at all levels, create a company that effectively leverages the power of D&I to drive innovation, ensure that our workforce represents and understands the diverse needs of our members, accounts, and communities, and to build community relationships that demonstrate mutual value to internal and external stakeholders.

In 2014, more than 700 employees participated in our Diversity Dialogues, giving employees the opportunity to have candid discussions about their experience as it relates to D&I here at Blue Cross. That same year, we elected Phyllis R. Yale as the Chair of the Board of Directors, while 40% of our Board and two important Board committees were led by women. Additionally, 37% of external hires were persons of color (POC), 73% of associates are female and 51% of leaders are female, and wage equity was achieved between females and males at all levels. In fact, Blue Cross was among the first 38 companies to sign the Boston Women’s Compact for wage equity, and also signed the Governor’s Corporate Challenge to advance women at all level of the organization.