Diversity and the equal opportunity it affords is strategically important to Lucent.  It makes Lucent more competitive in the marketplace.  It has been Lucent's long standing tradition, as well as our corporate policy, to treat each individual with dignity and respect.  This is both a question of equity and of market success.  To guarantee this, we will effectively utilize all of our human resource talent and continue to pursue this effort.

Lucent's policy is to:

• comply with both the letter and the spirit of all applicable laws and regulations governing employment;
• provide equal opportunity to all employees and to all applicants for employment;
• take appropriate affirmative action to make equal opportunity a reality;
• prohibit unlawful discrimination or harassment because of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, marital status, age, physical or mental disability, one's status as a special disabled veteran or veteran of the Vietnam era, or because of a person's sexual orientation, gender identity characteristics or expression, in any employment decision or in the administration of any personnel policy;
• make reasonable accommodations to the physical and/or mental limitations of qualified employees or applicants with disabilities;
• ensure that maximum opportunity is afforded to all minority and women-owned businesses to participate as suppliers, contractors, and subcontractors of goods and services to Lucent Technologies; and comply with regulatory agency requirements and with federal, state, and local procurement regulations and programs;
• advise employees of their rights to refer violations of this policy to their supervision, or to the appropriate Lucent Technologies organization charged with the administration of the Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action policy, without intimidation or retaliation of any form for exercising such rights.

I expect all managers throughout Lucent Technologies to comply fully with all aspects of this policy, and to conduct themselves in accordance with the principles of equal opportunity.

Demonstrated commitment to equal opportunity is an investment in our people and our future growth. Consequently, a company that attracts, selects, develops and retains the best will remain the industry leader. Lucent's ongoing efforts in this direction will provide us with a critical, competitive advantage in the marketplace.
 
 

Richard A. McGinn Chief Executive Officer & President

October 1997