MULTI-YEAR U.S. ACTION PLAN
Our Pledge to Equality & Fairness
This Pledge is an extension of our company’s enduring values of Inclusion & Diversity, with a clear focus on supporting equality and fairness.
While we have seen some meaningful progress we also recognize that some of the actions contained in this Pledge require longer-term sustained and systemic changes to deliver the intended impact.
Whirlpool Corporation is committed to staying the course to drive sustainable positive impact both within our four walls and in our communities, in hopes this will be a ripple into the broader U.S. community.
Marc Bitzer, Chairman & CEO
Inclusion & Diversity are enduring values for Whirlpool Corporation. Because of our actions to create a culture where employees feel welcomed, valued, respected and heard, we believe employees of all backgrounds will be more apt to join and stay with Whirlpool. And this, in turn, will help us deliver products that improve life at home. We will continue to take actions to listen to our employees and evolve our talent processes and expect this will continue to build and sustain an employee base that represents the diversity of our talent pools.
Whirlpool’s Global Headquarters is based in Southwest Michigan with offices in both Saint Joseph and Benton Harbor – often referred to as the “Twin Cities.” Whirlpool has been here for over a century and is invested in building a community where employees and residents can all thrive:
Commitments & Progress
The following updates highlight some of the work that has been done as part of our pledge to equality and fairness to promote inclusive environments where all can thrive.
Apprenticeship Programs
Pledge Commitment in Progress
Whirlpool Corporation supports three state-certified apprenticeship programs providing opportunities for on-the-job experiences and educational success. Participants in these programs work through a structured rotation of roles to gain exposure to…
Benton Harbor High School Mentoring
Pledge Commitment in Progress
Building a strong foundation and a vision for the future for high school students is one key to future success. To facilitate a mentoring program at Benton Harbor High School, Whirlpool employees partnered with Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG)...
Berrien County Internships
Pledge Commitment in Progress
After a successful pilot program in 2021, the Possibilities at Home (P@TH) internship program launched in 2022 with 10 interns and expanded to 12 interns in 2023. In the first three years of this program, these students had a broad range of…
Boys & Girls Club Technology Programming
Pledge Commitment in Progress
For many years, Whirlpool Corporation has been a corporate sponsor of the Boys & Girls Club of Benton Harbor and their now expanded footprint as the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Southwest Michigan. As we look to how the Boys & Girls Club can…
Benton Harbor Area Schools
Pledge Commitment in Progress
Investing in the area’s youth is investing in the future of the region. By partnering with Benton Harbor Area Schools, Whirlpool employees and the Whirlpool Foundation have been able to provide support in several critical areas:
Juneteenth Day of Impact
Pledge Commitment Met.
In ongoing conversations with Benton Harbor city officials & residents, participants identified that one of the best ways Whirlpool could positively impact the community and support the city’s plan was by revitalizing the city’s parks.
Entrepreneur Microgrants
Pledge Commitment Met.
Businesses owned by local entrepreneurs that have won prizes in the micro-grant pitch nights hosted by Emerge Innovation Hub, in collaboration with Whirlpool and Mosaic CCDA:
Expand Housing
Pledge Commitment Met.
After breaking ground in 2021, construction began on the waterfront multi-family housing complex situated in Benton Harbor across the street from Whirlpool’s North American Headquarters and Benton Harbor Technology Center. Named after Benton…
HBCU Student Support & Recruiting
Pledge Commitment in Progress
In 2022, Whirlpool Corporation formalized a relationship with Florida A&M University (FAMU) to provide scholarship funding, appliances, mentoring partnerships, and engagement with Whirlpool employees for students in the College of Engineering.
Supplier Discovery
Pledge Commitment Met.
Through our Supplier Discovery program we encourage inclusive procurement practices that widen the pool of potential suppliers, promote competition and improve results. To further grow and diversify our supplier network, we are investing in pipeline-building initiatives. Our sourcing processes include mechanisms to encourage greater inclusion for all suppliers in business opportunities.