GREEN BAY, Wis. – July 21, 2022 – Associated Bank is being recognized as a DEI Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion based on a score of 80 percent on the Disability Equality Index® (DEI).
The DEI was launched in 2015 by Disability:IN and The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and is acknowledged today as the most robust disability inclusion assessment tool in business. Now in its eighth year, the DEI exists to help businesses make a positive impact on the unemployment/underemployment of people with disabilities.
The 2022 DEI measured culture & leadership, enterprise-wide access, employment practices (benefits, recruitment, employment, education, retention & advancement, accommodations), community engagement, supplier diversity and non-U.S. operations (non-weighted).
“Associated Bank is intentional in our efforts to increase disability inclusion and expand outreach in our hiring practices,” said Callie Davis, director of diversity, equity and inclusion, Associated Bank. “There will always be new opportunities to pursue to make our organization even more inclusive and accessible for colleagues, customers and the community and we are excited to keep moving forward on that journey.”
Associated Bank is committed to a diverse workforce, workplace and marketplace that includes:
- A workforce where diversity, equity and inclusion are represented at all levels, across all locations
- A workplace culture where everyone feels valued, respected and welcomed and every colleague is empowered to reach their full potential
- A diverse, equitable and inclusive approach in the marketplace for all customers, suppliers and markets
Ongoing diversity, equity and inclusion work at Associated Bank includes:
- Ensuring benefits, along with recruitment, employment and accommodation practices fully consider and include individuals with disabilities
- Internal training for colleagues on the benefits of disability hiring, accommodations and best practices for inclusion
- Executive sponsorship and support for Forward Abilities, Associated’s Colleague Resource Group, for disability awareness, education and programs that support the needs of colleagues and communities
- In addition to traditional medical, dental and vision coverage, Associated offers competitive and comprehensive benefits including well-being programs and incentives, Employee Assistance Program, back-up child and adult care and flexible work arrangements
- Offering the opportunity for colleagues to voluntarily identify if they have a disability for better visibility and a more accurate portrayal of our workforce demographics
- Founding charter members of Disability:IN WI chapter with current active involvement and advocacy in board and committees
Globally, there are over one billion people with disabilities. Disability is a natural part of the human experience, and it crosses lines of age, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status and religion.
“Disability inclusion is a rapidly expanding aspect of corporate culture, and it’s gratifying to partner with 415 companies on the 2022 Disability Equality Index,” said Jill Houghton, President and CEO of Disability:IN. “These top-scoring companies not only excel in disability inclusion, many are also adopting emerging trends and pioneering measures that can move the disability agenda from accommodation to inclusion and ultimately, genuine belonging."
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ABOUT ASSOCIATED BANC-CORP
Associated Banc-Corp (NYSE: ASB) has total assets of $35 billion and is Wisconsin's largest bank holding company. Headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Associated is a leading Midwest banking franchise, offering a full range of financial products and services from more than 200 banking locations serving more than 100 communities throughout Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota, and loan production offices in Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Ohio and Texas. Associated Bank, N.A. is an Equal Housing Lender, Equal Opportunity Lender and Member FDIC. More information about Associated Banc-Corp is available at www.associatedbank.com.
ABOUT THE DISABILITY EQUALITY INDEX®
The Disability Equality Index (DEI) is a comprehensive benchmarking tool that helps companies build a roadmap of measurable, tangible actions that they can take to achieve disability inclusion and equality. Each company receives a score, on a scale of zero (0) to 100, with those earning 80 and above recognized as a “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion.”
The DEI is a joint initiative of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the nation’s largest disability rights organization, and Disability:IN, the global business disability inclusion network, to collectively advance the inclusion of people with disabilities. The organizations are complementary and bring unique strengths that make the project relevant and credible to corporations and the disability community. The tool was developed by the DEI Advisory Committee, a diverse group of business leaders, policy experts, and disability advocates. Learn more at: www.DisabilityEqualityIndex.org.