Accenture: An insider guide - Gymkhana

valuing the dynamics between men and women; the “diversity principle,” a
1-hour course that underlines that diversity in the workforce is a key company
priority and shows how stereotypes can contribute to a nonproductive work
environment; and “the diversity principle in motion,” a group workshop on
recognizing inappropriate behaviors related to differences in the workplace.
As far back as 1994, Accenture was named one of the “100 Best Companies
for Gay Men and Lesbians” in the Ed Mickens book of the same title. Among
the seven networking groups that comprise its Local Office Diversity Program
is one for gay and lesbians. Plus, Accenture extends domestic partner benefits
to U.S. personnel in same-sex relationships under its medical, dental, and dependent
life insurance plans. The plans and their benefits are the same as those available
to spouses of married personnel, wherever it is legally possible to do so. Children
of same-sex domestic partners can be covered under the same rules as those
for children of married personnel.
Opportunities for Women
Like the consulting industry as a whole, Accenture has relatively low female
representation among its very senior management. At last count, three of its
21 management committee members were female. Still, the number of women
in top positions at Accenture has steadily increased over the past decade. The
percentage of female senior-level executives rose from 5.8 percent in 1994 to
10 percent in 2002. However, in 2002 (most recent available) women only
accounted for a little more than 14 percent of all promotions to partner status
globally and 19 percent of all promotions to partner in the United States.
The Workplace
In general, insiders report plenty of women in the workforce, though some
areas attract more than others. “There are quite a number of females, but it’s
very polarized. It’s often in testing and functional design, and less in
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