Rayonier 2021 Sustainability Report: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Rayonier 2021 Sustainability Report
Rayonier embraces DE&I because it leads to a more enriching work experience for everyone, a higher functioning team, and a greater impact on the communities in which we operate.
At Rayonier, we embrace and encourage individuality, where employees with different backgrounds, experiences, demographics, and behavioral styles feel included and comfortable sharing their perspectives and ideas. We believe that bringing diverse perspectives together leads to better decision-making and that the confluence of diverse experiences stimulates innovation.
Gender and ethnic diversity have historically been a challenge for the forestry sector, which has motivated us to proactively engage in ways that we hope can have an impact on increasing diversity within the industry over time. Our initiatives to promote greater diversity in the forestry sector include: providing scholarships and awards, increasing community engagement, and sponsoring job fairs and other educational opportunities to create greater forestry career awareness among more diverse populations.
We believe that diversity goes hand-in-hand with an inclusive workforce culture—one that ensures employees feel valued and heard, are comfortable sharing their perspectives and ideas, can be themselves at work, and feel that they belong. We are committed to strengthening and promoting an inclusive culture where every employee can contribute to their fullest potential and feels part of the team. We are also committed to creating an equitable and safe work environment and leveling the playing field by providing each employee with the necessary training, tools, and opportunities to thrive.
Implementation and oversight of our DE&I initiatives are led by our Senior Leadership Team, along with our Board. In 2020, we formed a DE&I task force to help guide policy objectives and promote DE&I initiatives within the company. This task force consists of a diverse group of Rayonier employees and senior leaders, including our Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President of Forest Resources, and Vice President of Human Resources & Information Technology. With input from all employees and the support of an external DE&I consultant, this team has identified opportunities to further enhance inclusion and equity at the company, as well as develop initiatives to help increase diversity within Rayonier and the broader forestry sector.
Rayonier is committed to promoting an inclusive, equitable, and diverse workforce as we believe this plays an integral role in maintaining an engaging and enriching employee experience.
