Diversity at Scottrade
Scottrade values the diversity of its associates and customers, resulting in a professional environment of understanding and respect. We understand that diversity goes beyond race and includes gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, faith and financial status.
The Diversity Council
Scottrade's Diversity Council was established in August of 2005 to emphasize the importance of diversity with regards to recruitment and retention. The goal of the Council is to further the firm's environment of acceptance and respect by fostering a stronger sense of awareness and inclusion.
Recruitment efforts include attending diversity job fairs and using diversity-focused Web sites such as dcjobs.com. Dcjobs.com links to other diversity partners to list available opportunities at Scottrade. Some of these partners include the NAACP, Council for Latino Agencies and Women Work. We have also established a relationship with Harris Stowe State University, an HBCU (Historically Black College/University), to recruit candidates for our internship program. Scottrade is excited about the Diversity Council's initial efforts and plan to further the Council's objectives in 2007.
Women in Management
Scottrade has a high percentage of women in management. Our 11-person executive team consists of four women, and of the nine senior managers in IT, four are women.
A Global Workforce
To create a comfortable business environment at Scottrade, we teach our associates to respect individuality; all associates are required to complete diversity training.
Scottrade's team includes our Asia Pacific department, which is staffed by 18 Asian-American associates. Established in March 2001 to provide enhanced service to Chinese-speaking customers, this department now supports 31 Chinese-speaking branch associates and over 100,000 domestic accounts. In 2003, the Asia Pacific department began providing service to residents of China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Our associates come from all over the world, including the following countries:
Afghanistan
Albania
Angola
Argentina
Barbados
Belgium
Bolivia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Brazil
Bulgaria
Cambodia
Canada
China
Colombia
Cuba
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
El Salvador
England
France
Germany
Ghana
Guatemala
Haiti
India
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Jamaica
Japan
Kenya
Laos
Lebanon
Mexico
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nigeria
Pakistan
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Russia
South Africa
Serbia
South Korea
Spain
St. Kitts
Switzerland
Taiwan
Trinidad & Tobago
Ukraine
Vietnam
Scott, a branch manager in Sugarland, Texas, talks about the diversity within his branch: "One of my former brokers, now a fellow branch manager, was born in Pakistan. We have two employees from India and one from China. This reflects the Sugarland population, as there are immigrants from China, India, Pakistan and Canada. The fun part about working here is that I'm starting to pick up bits of Guajarati, Hindi and Chinese, and lunchtime is always an interesting experience! Best of all, we've realized that although we come from different cultures, we also have a lot in common."
Gustavo, a broker in the Miami branch, said, "I have never felt like a minority at Scottrade; just another part of a great team. This is the first time I've worked in a place where such a high proportion of business is done in Spanish." The entire staff at the Miami branch is of Latin descent: three associates from Cuba, one from Colombia and one from Peru. Branch Manager Eric said, "We're not Hispanic Scottrade associates. We're just Scottrade associates."
The diversity of our workforce also helps us provide better service to our customers. Ann, a Customer Service Office Assistant in Anchorage, Alaska said, "I am from Laos, and speak Lao, Thai and Vietnamese. My co-workers have treated me with respect and made me feel that I am part of the team. My background has also given me a special connection with the diverse clientele we have in Anchorage."
Scottrade values the unique perspective that each individual contributes to society. Our commitment to diversity benefits our associates, customers and the community.