Bessellieu, Tracey

Diversity is valuing everyone s gifts. And that means everyone s, says Tracey Bessellieu, Vice President, People Engagement Director, Americas with PB. When people feel valued, they are engaged. When they re engaged, they re more productive. When they re engaged and productive, they inspire both company and client loyalty. ... 

A number of civil engineering organizations interviewed as part of this effort have convened diversity committees or diversity boards. For example, in 1992, PB started a Diversity Oversight Committee sponsored by the chief operating officer. Committee chairs from the various employee network groups are members, along with senior HR staff and recruitment officers - that means all the decision-makers are in the room, says Tracey Bessellieu. The Committee considers measurements and data provided by the HR department to monitor recruitment and internship efforts, and to mentor, retain, and help further career oppormnities for women and all other protected classes. ... 

Our role in human resources is to help the firm understand there s a role for everyone in the company, says Tracey Bessellieu. We need experienced professionals to mentor and to bridge gaps between generations. There s value in having experienced professionals mentor the younger employees. ... 

Employee referral programs are a tried and true way to reach and hire all types of candidates, and to reward leads. These programs can build further upon the like attracts like principle as well. If a company is demonstrably interested in diversity, employees themselves may be the best advertisements for the desirability of the company. Employees reach out to their network, which allows us to tap into a widely diverse pool of talent, says Tracey Bessellieu. If the referred candidate is hired, the employee is recognized with a lucrative stipend. ... 

Tracey Bessellieu, Vice President, People Eingagement Director, Americas, PB (Parsons Brinckerhoff), www.pbworld.com... 

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