UP earns magazine's diversification honor for fifth-straight year

Union Pacific Railroad has been named a 2013 Best Diversity Company by the readers of Diversity Careers in Engineering and Information Technology magazine for the fifth consecutive year.

The magazine honors companies, government agencies and other organizations for their support of minorities and women, attention to work/life balance, and supplier diversity commitment.

UP supports eight employee resource groups that seek to recruit, retain and advance talented and diverse employees. For example, the Lead, Educate, Achieve and Develop group unites women across the railroad by providing professional development and networking opportunities, and the Asian Employee Resource Organization aims to build awareness of Asian culture through engagement in the company and community, UP officials said in a press release.

The Class I also offers minority and women-owned businesses an opportunity to compete with other suppliers and contractors in the marketplace. Spending with diverse suppliers grew about 7 percent each year from 2007 to 2012, UP officials said.

"Attracting and retaining a diverse team of employees leads to better ideas and solutions, which is crucial to Union Pacific's long-term success," said Vice President of Human Resources Roy Schroer.