BIO Releases Workforce Principles for the Biotechnology Industry

On June 19, 2017, the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) released a set of principles on workforce development, diversity, and inclusion (WDDI) for the biotechnology industry. BIO also established a board-level WDDI Committee charged with working to foster workforce development, diversity, and inclusion at BIO and throughout the biotech industry. The committee will be chaired by Helen Torley, president and CEO of Halozyme, who is succeeding Julie Gerberding, executive vice-president and chief patient officer at Merck, who led the committee as it developed BIO’s WDDI principles over the last year.

The principles on WDDI adopted today by BIO’s Board of Directors state that BIO considers diversity to be essential to the success of the biotechnology industry. In a press release, the organization named the following principles as key to this plan.

• BIO believes that our members’ products and services should be intended to address the needs of a diverse population.

• BIO believes that diversity in all aspects of business operations will optimize the continued growth and success of the biotechnology industry.

• BIO will champion workforce development, diversity, and inclusion as a way to attract, develop, and retain the employee talent pool within the globally competitive biotechnology industry.

• BIO will lead by example and be outward-facing in our diversity efforts, and will incorporate diversity and inclusion into all aspects of BIO operations: in communications and membership engagement, at BIO events through programming and education, and in the composition of the Board of Directors and its committees.

• BIO will engage with external partners to broaden the reach and incorporation of diversity throughout the biotechnology ecosystem.

• Definitions. For purposes of these principles, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below.
• Diversity is defined as the wide-range of similarities and differences among persons and perspectives, and follows guidelines established by the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

• Inclusion is defined as the process of creating a business culture and environment that recognizes and effectively leverages the talents, skills, and perspectives of diverse employees.

• Workforce development is defined as the process of ensuring all employees have the opportunities to develop the capabilities and skills required to meet the challenging needs in the biotechnology industry.

The organization will also discuss workforce development, diversity, and inclusion during the 2017 BIO International Convention in San Diego, CA from June 19–22, 2017.

Source: BIO