Northrop Grumman Ranked 35th on DiversityInc's 2015 Top 50 Companies for Diversity List

FALLS CHURCH, Va., April 28, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has been ranked 35th on DiversityInc's annual list for the Top 50 Companies for Diversity. The company remained the top rated aerospace and defense company in the overall rankings and was ranked number one in the support to veterans specialty list.

Each company's rank is based on objective analysis of 183 separate factors, using data from a 300-question survey. The four equally weighted areas of measurement include talent pipeline, equitable talent development, CEO/leadership commitment and supplier diversity. 

In describing the veterans support ranking, DiversityInc said, "A focus on veterans in the workplace has become increasingly common at companies on this list as they understand the valuable skills and diversity former military bring to corporations. In its second year, this list showcases the diversity-management initiatives that are having the best results in recruiting and promoting veterans, as well as success in using veterans with disabilities as vendors."

Criteria for this list include:

• Percentage of workforce, new hires and managers who are veterans
• Whether recruitment efforts are aimed at veterans
• Whether hiring practices include accommodations for spouses of veterans
• Having and utilizing an employee resource group for veterans
• Percentage of philanthropic endeavors aimed at veterans
• Percentage of procurement spent with veterans with disabilities

"We are very proud of our ranking on the DiversityInc list, particularly in the area of support to veterans," said Sandra Evers-Manly, vice president, global corporate responsibility, Northrop Grumman and president, Northrop Grumman Foundation. "Northrop Grumman understands that the best and brightest diverse talent comes up with creative and innovative solutions and ideas. Innovation is a key element for our continued growth and success and it is fueled by having an inclusive environment that allows employees to bring their authentic selves to work and valuing a diverse team of views, opinions, work styles and problem-solving methods."  

Northrop Grumman's progress on diversity and inclusion is evident in many areas, including:

• Employee resource groups (ERGs) – Employee groups provide opportunities for networking, community outreach, professional development, recruiting and support the business. In 2014, more than 19,000 Northrop Grumman employees, almost a third of the total employees, engaged in ERGs. The groups represent African-Americans, Asian Pacific Islanders, Hispanics, Native Americans, women, people with disabilities, veterans, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals (LGBT), young professionals, parents, multiple generations and environmentalists.  
• Corporate Equality Index (CEI) – In 2014, Northrop Grumman earned a top score on the 2015 CEI, a national benchmarking survey and report on corporate policies and practices related to LGBT workplace equality, administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.  
• New hires – Half of Northrop Grumman's college new hires in the past four years have been women or people of color.  
• Veterans support –Northrop Grumman's Operation IMPACT program provides personalized career transition support to service members severely injured in combat post 9/11.  In cases where the service member is not able to work, we provide assistance to a family member seeking employment.  In 2014 we recruited 56 new candidates into the program, and placed 21 at Northrop Grumman; a 110 percent increase in placements from 2013.
• Last summer, Northrop Grumman sponsored the Northern Virginia Technology Council Employment Initiative to accelerate veterans' transition to civilian life by creating more employment opportunities with Virginia technology companies.
• Supplier diversity – In 2014 more than 32 percent of Northrop Grumman procurement spending went to small, women-and minority-owned businesses.  Since the inception of the Department of Defense Mentor-Protege Program, Northrop Grumman representatives have provided guidance to more than 130 small business firms and received 22 Nunn-Perry awards, the highest honor prime contractors can receive for participation in the program.

Details on Northrop Grumman's diversity and inclusion efforts can be found at http://www.northropgrumman.com/CorporateResponsibility/Diversity/Pages/default.aspx.

About DiversityInc
DiversityInc's mission is to bring education and clarity to the business benefits of diversity. The DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity list began in 2001, at the same time many corporations were beginning to understand the business value of diversity-management initiatives. The 2015 Top 50 Companies for Diversity results are featured on DiversityInc.com and in DiversityInc magazine. For more information, log on to www.diversityinc.com, https://www.facebook.com/DiversityInc, https://twitter.com/DiversityInc or http://www.linkedin.com/company/26561.

About Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in unmanned systems, cyber, C4ISR, and logistics and modernization to government and commercial customers worldwide. Please visit www.northropgrumman.com for more information.

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SOURCE Northrop Grumman Corporation

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