Shaping the Future of Work - Millikens Commitment to People

In a constantly evolving world, few changes have been more noticeable than the relationship between employers and their employees.

Where once the conversation often focused on productivity—the output of the work alone, we now see employers across the world emphasizing not only productivity, but also the wellbeing of the whole person. The 2020 COVID-19 crisis accelerated this shift, shaking traditional employment norms and highlighting the need for greater employee engagement. The result is a growing preference among employers for workers that not only get the job done but also thrive.

At Milliken, we’ve always encouraged strong relationships with our associates. And when it comes to the evolving employer/employee landscape, we embrace these changes.

In addition to our regular feedback surveys, Milliken recently undertook an initiative to better understand the needs and desires of our associates. Over the past two years, our team met with hundreds of associates throughout the organization to gain a deeper understanding of how they perceive Milliken and their company expectations.

Through these conversations, it became clear that while our dedication and respect for our associates was evident, it hadn't been officially articulated and communicated in a consistent manner. We certainly had an opportunity to openly share our commitment.

In response, we launched our Associate Promise, a commitment to building a better future by fostering a culture rooted in trust, intentional inclusion and diversity, and empowerment. Grounded in the principle of integrity, our Associate Promise symbolizes more than a statement – it embodies the essence of our corporate identity and the values we cherish. It's more than just a statement; it reflects our core values and loyalty to our team.

Our interactions also revealed the evolving values and needs of associates in the workplace. These insights were key in finalizing our Associate Promise:

At Milliken, our success starts with you. Together, we will:

• Champion diversity to fuel curiosity and bring teams together.
• Chart a clear path where your contributions are recognized and rewarded.
• Empower each other to grow and find meaning in every day.
• Build a better future for you, your community, and the world.

What sets our Associate Promise apart is its adaptability to the evolving needs of our team, reflecting the dynamic nature of workplace values. Just as we make commitments to our customers, we extend the same dedication to our associates, ensuring our promise stands as a beacon of our commitment to their well-being and success.

While we may not always reach perfection, our devotion to excellence is unwavering. The Associate Promise reaffirms our belief that our people are our greatest asset.

Transparency is key to communicating our progress on our efforts. You can see our efforts in real time in our annual sustainability report. It’s one of the reasons why we’ve been named one of Ethisphere’s World’s Most Ethical Companies for the 18th year in a row. And it’s why we were listed as one of America’s Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces for the second time.

As we navigate this transformative journey towards fostering thriving communities and workplaces, we invite you to join us in shaping the future of work. Together, we can cultivate environments of trust, inclusion, diversity, and empowerment.

If you’re interested in working at Milliken, learn more at our careers page.