As an organization, Fermilab is committed to attracting, developing and retaining diverse talent and cultivating an inclusive work environment that supports scientific, technological and operational excellence. Organizational unit and individual contributor commitment to workforce recruitment strategies, pipeline education programs, community outreach and collaboration efforts directly impact lab-wide workforce diversity and workplace inclusion advancement.
Our work environment connects each employee to the lab by promoting collaboration, flexibility, and fairness. We continually strive to ensure the talents and identities of all employees are respected and valued for their professional contributions to the laboratory’s mission success.
Why diversity matters
A workplace culture of inclusion:
- promotes a cohesive environment which positively impacts productivity, morale, and innovation
- fosters respect and values each employee’s contributions
- welcomes the experiences, perspectives, and strengths of a diverse workforce to drive teamwork, innovation, critical analysis and creativity
Inclusive workforce efforts
- Maternity Closet
- Nursing Mother’s Room
- Prayer space
- Accessible bathrooms
- Flexible work schedules
- Telecommuting
- Parental leave
- Daycare
- Employee Assistance Program
- Wellness Program
- Flexible spending accounts
- Tuition Assistance Program
- Transgender healthcare
- Commuter benefits
Fermilab’s Executive Summary on Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility as part of the Laboratory Diversity and Inclusion Plan 2023 is available here.
Diversity Councils
Two councils serve as key internal advisors that inform Fermilab’s EDIA strategy and implementation.
Established in September 2020, the EDI Task Force (EDIT) represents a broad cross section of jobs serves as a forum for discussion, evaluation, development, and recommendation of workplace and workforce actions and plans to improve lab culture and climate.
EDIT Mission Statement
The EDI Task Force aims to foster a work environment that attracts and retains qualified talent and celebrates the diversity of experiences and perspectives in our workforce. To accomplish this, the task force will be a safe space for honest and practical dialogue around equity, diversity and inclusion, while challenging conventional wisdom.
We will incrementally develop, evaluate, and report on our progress against our strategy to enhance and support an inclusive environment across the lab. In addition, our diversity and inclusion objectives and progress toward achieving them will be continually assessed to ensure alignment with Fermilab’s strategic planning
The Senior Leadership EDI Council (SLEDIC) institutes a formal cadence for the review of lab-wide performance toward EDIA goals, along with establishing expectations of senior leaders for developing and communicating corrective measures in their organizations. SLEDIC was established in January 2021.
Senior Leadership EDI Council Mission Statement
The Senior Leadership EDI Council serves as a forum for laboratory leadership accountability in advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility goals and objectives. The forum maintains a formal cadence for the review of lab-wide EDIA performance, along with establishing expectations of senior leaders for developing and communicating corrective measures to drive accountability for EDIA in their organizations. SLEDIC and their collaborators are a critical component of the All-Hands Approach to EDIA and shares Fermilab’s evolving goals and objectives focused on increasing workforce representation through innovative outreach and cultural competence development, retaining employees with equitable workplace programs and a respectful environment, and fostering a culture that values inclusion and empowers all employees.
Fermilab statement of diversity
Fermilab develops, implements and maintains purposeful and intentional strategic initiatives to support a respectful organizational culture and intellectually diverse workplace. Our workforce and community collaborations advance the laboratory’s mission and accountability to welcome and excite diverse national and global talent. Our hallmarks include sharing knowledge, strengthening professional networks, and assuring equity and inclusion for each member of the lab community.