Level 3 Communications: Optimas Gold Winner for Global Outlook

With more than 13,000 employees in 60 countries, Level 3 Communications needs a sound diversity and inclusion strategy. But as with many global organizations, Level 3 faces a trifecta of global challenges.

First, the Broomfield, Colorado-based communications networking firm has expanded rapidly as a result of mergers and acquisitions, creating an immediate need for the company to integrate its employee population across geographies and cultures. 

Second, Level 3 recruits candidates from various backgrounds, from recent college graduates to formal military to employees with disabilities. 

Finally, the company has aimed to create an environment inclusive of all generations. With a multigenerational workforce, Level 3 aims to cultivate an environment that recognizes the skills, knowledge and perspectives of those from every walk of life.

To meet these needs, Level 3 created a Diversity & Inclusion Week, a May event to address these and other challenges. The company’s two main objectives were “to educate employees about inclusion in accessible and experiential ways” and “to provide various programming options that allowed Level 3 employees in all times zones and regions to participate.”

Of the programs included in Diversity & Inclusion Week, the company says two in particular satisfied the event’s mission.

The first was Level 3’s “Day in the Life of My Office” videos, which had employees across the globe make a short video of their office to show far-away co-workers what it’s like to work there. A total of 25 videos were submitted, the company said, with the video content ranging from expansive office tours to images of local food, culture, traditions and music.

The second integral program of the event was the company’s presentation on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, or LGBT, inclusion. According to the company, the session successfully “spoke to the hearts and minds of employees through real-life LGBT experiences.”

In a post-event survey, 63 percent of Level 3 employees said they planned on changing their behaviors after the event. For its efforts to bolster diversity awareness, Level 3 is the gold 2015 Optimas Award winner for Global Outlook.

This article was updated on Nov. 30, 2015, to correct the number of global employees at Level 3 Communications.