Apple Diversity Statistics: Latino Representation in Double Digits but CEO Tim Cook 'Not Satisfied'
Apple Inc. released its workplace diversity figures, and Latinos fared better at the Cupertino-based company than at its rivals.
"From the very beginning, we have been a collective of individuals. Different kinds of people from different kinds of places. An intersection of technology and the liberal arts," said Apple's Human Resources Vice President Denise Young-Smith. "Diverse backgrounds, all working together."
With the diversity statistics, Apple released a video touting their inclusion of diversity and advancement of equality and human rights. The video, narrated by Young-Smith, showed a wide range of Apple employees -- male and female, of various races and ethnicities.
"For this reason, we put inclusion and diversity at our very center," added Young-Smith. "We honor individuality, human dignity, and equality. We want people to be themselves."
The Apple human resources vice president said the company wants its employees to contribute by sharing their "own, individual" experiences.
Apple CEO Tim Cook also shared a written message about the company's 98,000 employees from the tech and non-tech sectors.
"Let me say up front: As CEO, I'm not satisfied with the numbers on this page," Cook stated, noting his company is committed to transparency. "They're not new to us, and we've been working hard for quite some time to improve them. We are making progress, and we're committed to being as innovative in advancing diversity as we are in developing our products."
Overall, Apple's employees are 55 percent white, followed by 15 percent Asian. Blacks represented 7 percent of the overall Apple workplace, while "two or more" garnered 2 percent. Nine percent of Apple employees are "undeclared."
Hispanics represent 11 percent of the overall employee demographic at Apple. That compares positively to Google -- which had 50,000 employees as of the first quarter of 2014. The search-engine company's Hispanic employees represent 3 percent of the workplace. At both Facebook and Yahoo, Hispanic employees represented 4 percent of the workplace. An advantage for Apple, however, is that the company runs its own retail stores.
When distinguishing Apple's tech and non-tech sectors, the role of Hispanics varied. In the non-tech sector, whites represented 14 percent of the workplace. Hispanics ranked second with 14 percent. Asian and black employees tied with 9 percent. While 9 percent were also "undeclared," 3 percent of Apple's non-tech employees were "two or more" ethnicities.
In the tech sector, the Hispanic representation fell into single-digit figures. While whites maintained their double-digit lead with 54 percent, Asians improved to second place with 23 percent. Hispanics narrowly placed third with 7 percent ahead of blacks' 6 percent.
In Cook's message, he shared stories about diverse employees, from medical conditions to race.
Whites, at 64 percent, also dominate the leadership ranks in Apple. Asians were the only other ethnicity to hit double digits, with 21 percent. Hispanics in leadership roles garnered 6 percent while blacks represented 3 percent. Six percent of Apple employees were "undeclared."
Across gender lines, 70 percent of Apple's employees are men, while 30 percent are women. More women are employed in Apple's non-tech sector -- 35 percent to men's 65 percent. In the tech sector, men represent 80 percent of the workforce, while the rate for women dropped to 20 percent. In the leadership ranks, the percentage for women improved to 28 percent but is still far behind men's 72 percent.
"Above all, when we think of the diversity of our team, we think of the values and ideas they bring with them as individuals. Ideas drive the innovation that makes Apple unique, and they deliver the level of excellence our customers have come to expect," Cook added.
According to Cook, the company is involved in initiatives that promote diverse organizations or programs. The company is a sponsor of the Human Rights Campaign and the National Center for Women and Information Technology.
"All around the world, our team at Apple is united in the belief that being different makes us better. We know that each generation has a responsibility to build upon the gains of the past, expanding the rights and freedoms we enjoy to the many who are still striving for justice. Together, we are committed to diversity within our company and the advancement of equality and human rights everywhere," concluded Cook.
Apple's race and ethnicity data was based as of June 28. The company's gender statistics are as of Aug. 2.
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