2024 Leaders in Diversity Award

Sunstates Security: A Leader in Diversity and Inclusion

Sunstates Security is proud to be recognized and receive a 2024 Leaders in Diversity Award from the Triangle Business Journal. 16 individuals and nine companies were selected this year for going above and beyond with their DE&I efforts. Our commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace is deeply ingrained in our company culture.

2024 Leaders in Diversity Award

“The Leaders in Diversity Awards program, now in its 12th year, is designed to recognize the accomplishments of Triangle businesses, individuals and nonprofits as they come together to weave a diverse foundational fabric into the heart of the local community.

These winners have demonstrated respect for inclusive treatment of others, advocacy for underrepresented groups and multicultural marketing. And they represent a number of industries such as technology, life sciences, finance and professional services.”  –The TBJ.

Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives

At Sunstates Security, we believe in creating an equitable and welcoming environment for all employees. Our initiatives include:

• Equal Employment Opportunities: We strictly prohibit discrimination and harassment based on protected characteristics.
• Mandatory DE&I Training: All new employees undergo training on unconscious bias, microaggressions, and creating an inclusive workplace. This foundational training, along with our comprehensive employee handbook outlining anti-harassment policies, reinforces our zero-tolerance stance on discrimination of any kind.
• Equitable Decision-Making: We equip leaders with tools like gender-neutral interview guides and promote pay transparency.
• Diverse Recruitment and Development: We actively seek diverse candidates and invest in mentorship, sponsorship, and inclusive leadership programs.
• Supplier Diversity: We prioritize partnering with Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs) to create economic opportunities and enhance our procurement process.

Positive Impact of Diversity Initiatives

Our efforts have yielded positive results. Our Glassdoor diversity and inclusion score of 4.3 sets us apart from competitors and attracts top talent. We also celebrate our team’s achievements through various platforms, fostering a positive and inclusive company culture. These were some of the primary reasons we were selected for the 2024 Leaders in Diversity Award.

Employee Satisfaction Programs

One notable program that has significantly benefited our organization is our partnership with WorkStep. This employee engagement tool has facilitated open communication and improved employee satisfaction. Team members can anonymously

leave comments and concerns so the local management team can learn about an issue before it becomes a larger problem and complete an action plan. So far, we’ve had a wonderful feedback rate and can see where there is room for improvement, but we can also see the great things we’re doing, which leads to high scores in fields such as, “Do you feel safe at work,” and “Would you refer this company to a friend.”

Since introducing WorkStep in March 2024, we’ve seen a significant decrease in our turnover rate of 7%. We believe this improvement is a testament to the program’s effectiveness in fostering open communication and creating a safe space for employees to voice their concerns.

Investing in Employees

Our commitment to our employees extends beyond diversity and inclusion. We offer competitive benefits, including Galileo telehealth services, to support their well-being. These investments contribute to a positive work environment and help us attract and retain top talent.

Leadership’s Commitment to Diversity

Our leadership team reflects our commitment to diversity, with 50% of our VPs and directors representing diverse backgrounds. We also prioritize internal growth and development, as evidenced by the quadrupling of participants in our Leadership Candidate Program in 2024.

2024 Leaders in Diversity Award

We extend our gratitude to the Triangle Business Journal for its ongoing commitment to recognizing organizations and individuals making significant strides in diversity, equity, and inclusion. This annual award is essential for highlighting those who are going above and beyond in their efforts to create a more inclusive and equitable workplace.

A Bright Future

Sunstates Security’s mission and vision are centered on honor, integrity, and trust. This commitment has driven our organic growth, as evidenced by our recognition on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies. We are excited about our continued success and our ongoing commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.