3M Singapore Employees
Here, we’re all in this together.

Inclusion at 3M

Here, you can help to create a better world. We apply science in collaborative ways to improve lives daily. We are a curious and creative group of people whose ideas transform the future.

3M has offices in more than 70 countries, with more than 35,000 employees in the in US and close to 55,000 in the rest of the world. We are creating an inclusive environment where our people feel safe, respected and valued, and free to create and innovate.

In 3M, diversity is essential to innovation. We seek and value differences in people – in thinking, experience, ethnicity, age, gender, faith, personalities and styles. The different skills, experiences and abilities of our people are what drive our company forward and keep us relevant.

Diversity is the difference and inclusion is leveraging those differences.
Diversity is the difference and inclusion is leveraging those differences.
  • People


    We seek and value differences in people – in thinking, experience, ethnicity, age, gender, faith, personalities and styles. The different cultures, nationalities, backgrounds, insights, and physical and mental abilities of our people power our creativity and ideas. The different skills, experiences and abilities of our people are what drive our company forward and keep us relevant and reflective of our customers and markets.

  • Culture


    We strive for an inclusive environment where employees feel safe, engaged and free to create and innovate. Inclusivity is woven into our Leadership Behaviors. Our “I’m in” campaign, launched in 50 countries, is designed to strengthen and build upon our culture of inclusivity. We want everyone at 3M to feel valued and free to bring their authentic selves to work each day.

  • Community


    Engaging in our communities beyond 3M is an important aspect of what we do. Being involved in the communities where we work and live helps us give to others and learn from others, and fuels our passion to improve every life. By embracing diversity in these opportunities, we’re also building 3M’s visibility as a great place for all types of people to work.


3M Employee Inclusion Video

Employee Resource Networks

3M’s Employee Resource Networks (ERNs) are employee-led groups that serve as an integral part of recruiting, engaging and retaining diverse talent and mindsets aligned with our corporate Vision and Strategies. 3M ERNs give employees the opportunity to enhance their leadership skills and collaborate across cultures, lifestyles and genders. These communities work with our businesses to provide relevant customer insights that can expand our marketplace reach. Our ERNs partner with 3M businesses to tackle specific business challenges, often with impressive results. Many of our ERNs are able to identify significant market potential in specific customer segments – some of which include millions of current or potential customers. Ultimately, these groups work to help us achieve our goal of reflecting the diversity of our global customers, suppliers and channel partners.

  • ACTION
    African American Network
    disAbility Awareness Network
    GLBT+ Network

  • Latino Resource Network
    Military Support Network
    Native American Network
    New Employee Opportunity Network

  • Team Austin
    Women’s Leadership Forum


3M Italy Employees

Recruiting Diverse Talent

To help ensure our workforce is representative of our communities and customers, we:
 

  • Form strategic partnerships with many professional associations, colleges and universities to help identify diverse candidates
  • Have our Employee Resource Networks participate in campus recruiting activities
  • Commit to building a strong pipeline of talent by investing in tomorrow’s workforce

3M Infographic Global Women

Education and Development

  • Student Reading iPad

    Support empowerment and enrichment to provide people everywhere the opportunity to live life to its fullest.
     

    • Goal: Invest cash and products for education, community and environmental programs. We will continue to invest in increasing access for people worldwide to science, technology, engineering, math and business skills, and to improving lives through investments in environment, health and safety programs. Cash, in-kind donations, sponsorships, and volunteerism will remain core to our 3Mgives strategy. Since 1953, we have invested $1.4 billion in cash and product donations in 3M communities.
    • Goal: 100% participation in employee development programs to advance individual and organizational capabilities. Our employees are encouraged and supported to pursue areas of interest and develop career paths and opportunities aligned with those interests.
    • Goal: Double the pipeline of diverse talent in management to build a diverse workforce. Increasing diversity globally is a core part of our Sustainability strategy. We recognize that doubling our diverse talent in management will help build a diverse pipeline for executive leadership.


Programs and Events

  • International Women’s Day
    International Women’s Day was created by the United Nations General Assembly in 1977. 3M recognizes International Women’s Day with a global celebration. 3Mers are encouraged to wear red, recognize and honor the women who have inspired them, and much more. See how locations around the world celebrated International Women’s Day. View a global summary of how 3M celebrated International Women’s Day in more than 50 countries in 2015, including this video on the UK/Ireland celebration.
  • In 2002, the United Nations General Assembly declared May 21 to be the annual World Day for Cultural Diversity. In 2011, a grassroots campaign, “Do One Thing for Diversity and Inclusion” was launched celebrate World Day for Cultural Diversity encourages people around the world to take concrete action to support diversity. At 3M, we educate our people about World Day for Cultural Diversity and encourage them to participate. Here are a few resources and ideas:

    Join GlobeSmart to explore in-depth information about doing business in over 90 countries.

    Get inspiration and ideas from this list.

    Visit the Do One Thing for Diversity page

    United Nations

  • The key to unlocking our diverse potential is inclusion. Inclusion leads to engagement, engagement fosters creativity, creativity sparks innovation, and innovation manifests as growth. In September, events and activities at 3M to show how 3Mers can contribute to an inclusive environment.
  • Hiring Our Heroes is a nationwide initiative to help veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses find meaningful employment opportunities.

    Hiring Our Heroes

  • HirePurpose is developed by veterans for veterans and we are committed to addressing some of the incredible gaps that exist in the transition from military service to civilian career success.

    HirePurpose


3M Central America Infographic

Volunteering

  • 3M Gives Volunteers

    For more than 50 years, 3M’s commitment to volunteering has been one of our greatest contributions to the communities where we live and work. 3Mers are encouraged to share their many talents and skills to strengthen their communities by volunteering. Our volunteer work enriches schools, makes communities more vibrant and helps children from diverse neighborhoods achieve greater academic success.


Giving

3M actively supports career enrichment opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds. We have a long history of providing financial, in-kind and volunteer support to diversity-targeted institutions and nonprofit organizations. Including:

  • Live United Volunteers

    United Way
    We have supported the vital work of the United Way for 50 years. They remain the bedrock of 3M’s health and human services giving.

    Education

    • We invest in school STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) programs to inspire interest and success in these areas for students from diverse backgrounds.
    • We fund college-level programs to increase opportunities for students, helping them enter and succeed in science, technology and business fields.

    Arts and Culture

    • We provide funding and supplies to the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C.
    • We are a partner of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture project.
    • We support premier arts organizations that promote artistic and cultural diversity.

Committing to Diverse Suppliers

  • Suppliers in Safety Vests

    3M proactively identifies and works with small, minority-owned and woman-owned businesses.

    Diverse suppliers:
     

    • Reenergize our business. Diversity in our supplier base helps keep 3M open to innovation ideas and new ways of doing business, including offering unique strategies for reaching diverse markets.
    • They not only help us market more effectively to diverse consumers - they are our customers.
    • Help the bottom line. Minority-owned and woman-owned businesses often are smaller and more cost-efficient due to lower operating costs. They also tend to be nimble, which allows them to quickly respond to business needs.

3M Awards

Our Commitment to Diversity

In 2015, 3M was named to the Forbes list of Best Places to Work and was named one of Fortune’s Most Admired Companies. In addition to these broad awards, we have also received the following recognition for our commitment to diversity:

  • Best Places LGBT
    Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality

    Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2015 Corporate Equality Index is the national benchmarking tool on corporate policies and practices pertinent to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees. In the 2015 CEI report, 366 major businesses — spanning nearly every industry and geography — earned a top score of 100 percent and the distinction of “Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality.”

  • 2020 Women on Boards
    2015 Women on Boards

    2020 Women on Boards is a national campaign to increase the percentage of women on U.S. company boards to 20% or greater by the year 2020. In 2010, two women were motivated by the lack of representation of women on corporate boards and the fact that the numbers were not increasing. They created a nonprofit organization that would concentrate on mobilizing stakeholders, from the consumer to the boardroom, to get involved and raise these numbers. 2020 Women on Boards focuses on educating all people of the importance of this issue. A diverse board is a better board. Diversity is the foundation of America. When corporate boards include diverse perspectives, they are able to make better decisions for the company and its stakeholders. Diversity adds value, and adds to the bottom line.

  • HBCU
    HBCU

    The "Top Supporters of HBCUs” list surveys the deans of the 14 ABET-accredited, historically Black college and university (HBCU) engineering programs, and the corporate-academic alliance, Advancing Minorities’ Interest in Engineering (AMIE). The survey asks these individuals to list the corporate and government/non-profit organizations that provide the most support to their schools. In completing the annual survey, the institutions consider the following factors: support for infrastructure modernization and enhancement, research and mentorship projects, participation on advisory councils, faculty development opportunities, scholarships, student projects, stipends, co-ops, and career opportunities.

  • Calvert Investments
    Calvert Investments

    Calvert believes companies that fully commit to providing a fair and equitable working environment will recognize gains in both the workplace and marketplace. With that view, Calvert continues to assess the diversity practices of the largely multinational companies that make up the Standard & Poor’s 100 Index (S&P 100). Using an in-depth methodology, we examine these companies’ diversity policies, programs, and performance; identify the leaders and laggards; and provide recommendations to help companies identify and remedy operational gaps.

  • NSBE
    2016 – National Society of Black Engineers – Chairman’s Award

    Each year, the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) recognizes their most committed partners who continuously show immeasurable dedication to our mission, “to increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community.” One of NSBE’s most prestigious honors, the Chairman’s Award, is presented to an organization which excels as an investor in the Society. The result of this investment impacts communities around the world to ensure Blacks exceed parity in entering engineering fields, earning degrees, and succeeding professionally.

  • ESGR Freedom Award
    ESGR Freedom Award

    The Freedom Award is the highest recognition given to employers for their support of their employees who also serve in the National Guard and Reserve.

  • Best Places to Work for People with Disabilities
    Best Places to Work for People with Disabilities

    The Disability Equality Index is a national, transparent, annual benchmarking tool that offers businesses an opportunity to receive an objective assessment of their overall disability inclusion policies and practices. It is an aspirational, educational, recognition tool that goes far beyond legal compliance, helping companies identify opportunities for continued improvement, while building their reputations as organizations that value diversity and inclusion.