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RTI International

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ADDRESS3040 East Cornwallis Rd. Research Triangle Park, NC 27709

RTI International

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ADDRESS3040 East Cornwallis Rd. Research Triangle Park, NC 27709

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RTI International is an independent, nonprofit research institute dedicated to improving the human condition. We address the world's most critical problems with science-based solutions in pursuit of a better future, https://www.rti.org.

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e-Interview

In conversation with Newsweek, Bucky Fairfax, chief human resources officer at RTI, answered the following questions:

1. Can you provide an overview of your company's workplace culture and values, and how they contribute to a positive work environment?

RTI International offers an inclusive and energizing environment where staff can thrive. We are committed to providing a positive work experience and creating a culture of belonging. This is shaped by the rich diversity of our global workforce, characterized by their dedication to excellence and innovation in service of our mission to improve the human condition.

Our culture is deeply rooted in our core values of integrity, excellence, innovation, respect for the individual, respect for RTI, fiscal responsibility and objectivity. Throughout the institute, we actively nurture our employees' abilities to effectively communicate, collaborate, innovate, develop and grow, think on a global scale, and make strategic decisions in their daily tasks.

Talent comes to RTI for our amazing culture and staff, to contribute to high impact, mission-based work, thrive in an inclusive and flexible work environment and for the opportunity to develop their skills and careers. We embrace an integrated approach to people strategy and focus on employee experience as we attract, develop, and retain our diverse global workforce.

2. How does your company promote diversity and inclusion within the workplace? Are there any specific initiatives or programs in place?

At RTI, we believe that our continued success depends on the diverse skills, experiences and backgrounds that each staff member brings to the organization. We recognize and respect these unique voices and foster inclusion to prompt diversity of thought, innovative solutions, and added value for our clients, partners, and colleagues.

We have a formal, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (EDIB) program where we apply our principles at every level and across every function at RTI. Our unwavering dedication to upholding these principles continues to help us create diverse teams that use an inclusive environment as the foundation for our mission to improve the human condition.

We also have 13 employee resource groups (ERGs) with a membership of approximately 2,000 staff globally. These groups are one way we provide opportunities to leverage shared knowledge and collective experiences to enhance professional growth and promote multicultural understanding.

As a global employer of choice, RTI is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging in the workplace and the communities and markets where we serve our mission.

3. Are there any professional development and growth opportunities available to employees? How does your company support career advancement?

We are committed to creating equitable professional development opportunities for all RTI staff. We have a strategic initiative called "Develop and Grow" to ensure the delivery of experiential learning, development, and formal training in alignment with institute strategy and business outcomes. Strategically investing in employee development addresses employee expectations, leadership challenges and organizational needs.

"Dynamic Development" is our staff-led performance and career development program. Each year, all staff work closely with their managers to set goals and monitor progress towards those goals through a regular cadence of quality conversations and check-in meetings. This ongoing process empowers staff by giving everyone the opportunity to develop as professionals according to individual needs and aspirations. Through this program, we integrate documentation of "lead forward" behaviors that are central to our culture. This framework also informs our annual compensation review and planning process.

RTI also has a professional development program called LEAD – Leadership Experience Advancing Development. This immersive, multi-part program is designed for leaders at every level of RTI to advance core leadership competencies and grow management skills. Our annual mentoring program matches staff members with colleagues with exceptional dedication to developing talent. And we have a digital RTI University (RTIUx) where all staff can access continued learning resources as it fits into their schedules.

4. What measures does your company take to support employee mental health and well-being?

We take a holistic approach to wellbeing with RTI's wellness benefits and programs including resources to assist with the physical, emotional, mental, social, and financial aspects of life. We offer a variety of programs, tools, trainings, and resources to help support staff emotional, mental, social, and financial health in the best way that works for them individually. This includes our Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which provides free, confidential counselling and concierge services to help with everyday tasks, including daily living, legal, financial, and clinical support.

5. How does your company ensure transparency and open communication between management and employees, fostering a sense of trust and belonging?

Communication and transparency are important principles at RTI, and effective communication is an expectation of leadership and emphasis in our leadership competencies. Leadership communication strategy is developed through our leadership and management development programs. In addition, RTI has centers of excellence in Corporate Communications and Organizational Change Management that support leadership and institute level initiatives with change management and communications planning to ensure effective communication and information sharing.

Further, RTI's performance management program (Dynamic Development) promotes routine check-ins between staff and management on performance, progress towards goals, development, and overall experience. This program is focused on enhancing the employee and manager experience, alignment, and belonging at RTI.

6. How does your company celebrate and recognize employee achievements and milestones?

We foster a culture of recognition through several employee recognition and awards programs. Our global recognition platform, "Rise," allows staff and teams to be recognized by their colleagues globally across the institute, through peer-to-peer, real-time feedback that drives high performance. This program gives us a way to formally acknowledge and celebrate staff who demonstrate and uphold our organization's values, drive, and goals and who go above and beyond in their contributions to RTI's success. It's a fantastic program and stemmed from feedback we received in our annual staff survey. Additional awards include president's awards and excellence awards for significant contributions and author awards to celebrate scientific stature.

7. How do you recognize employees and ensure they are compensated fairly as they grow with your company?

RTI's compensation program provides meaningful rewards and recognition through annual salary reviews whereby staff are rewarded for their individual contributions and impact as well as a short-term incentive plan that rewards staff for organizational and business unit performance against pre-determined goals. RTI's total rewards program is designed to be externally competitive and internally equitable to attract and retain talent and ensure goal congruence and alignment throughout the institute.

8. How does your company encourage and support employee engagement and empowerment?

It is our practice and part of RTI's DNA to value the voices of all staff. Our Employee Experience and Listening program provides regular employee engagement and pulse surveys and then follows up to share results and outcomes to enhance our employees' experience. RTI's CEO and President holds quarterly President's Forums where staff are encouraged to ask questions. We frequently hold staff focus groups and incorporate input into our employee programming. RTI is launching an enhanced employee listening program and function in the upcoming fiscal year to make this program even more robust.

9. What types of employee benefits and perks does your company offer? How do these contribute to overall job satisfaction?

We demonstrate our commitment to rewarding individual and team achievement through a total rewards package. This package includes a competitive base salary, a generous paid time off policy, merit based annual increases, bonus opportunities, and a robust recognition program. Other benefits include a competitive range of insurance plans (including health, dental, life, and short-term and long-term disability), access to a retirement savings program, paid parental leave for all parents, financial assistance with adoption expenses or infertility treatments, financial reimbursement for education and developmental opportunities, an employee assistance program, and numerous other offerings to support a healthy work-life balance. Our benefits for both our U.S-based and our staff based in international locations take into account staff feedback on what they value most.

10. How does your company handle feedback and suggestions from employees? Is there a system in place for employees to voice their concerns or ideas?

We embrace and value transparency at RTI and have a formal feedback program in place where ad hoc feedback is encouraged, and staff or managers can request performance feedback anytime as well. Our Employee Experience and Listening program initiates internal surveys including our annual staff survey, which actively solicits feedback, taking a pulse across the organization in multiple languages. We include questions about employee experience, culture, engagement, retention, job demands, belonging, pay, professional development, and more.

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