Stride Rite Corporation: Diversity

Diversity at Stride Rite

For 80 years, Stride Rite has been dedicated to helping children thrive at home and in their communities. Our customers, like our associates are as diverse as the shoes they buy and the portfolio of brands we create. By capitalizing on those differences, we have an opportunity to become the world's premier marketer of casual shoes and to foster a corporate culture that is committed to meeting the needs of today's consumers.

We believe in the benefits of a diverse workforce.

Our consumers come from all walks of life. They want to buy from companies that support their lifestyles, personal aspirations and the goals of their communities. Consequently, we are making a concerted effort to recruit as diverse a team as possible to ensure that our associates reflect the changing demographics of our consumers and the communities in which they reside.

We believe in the power of an inclusive environment.

Just as our products have become more diverse over the years, so have the lifestyles of our associates. They want to be a part of an organization that addresses their needs both at work and at home. That's why we offer programs and benefits like flexible work hours, professional development, career planning, domestic partnership coverage, tuition reimbursement, extended maternity leave (up to 18 weeks) as well as on-site amenities such as drop-off dry cleaning and a fitness center.

We believe you can have a life and a career, too.

For years, we have initiated a series of programs and services that help associates successfully balance work and their personal lives. Some of our work/life offerings include business dress casual year-round, summer hours, wellness seminars, yoga, child/elder care referrals, adoption assistance, ATM, travel assistance and a work/life resource library.

We believe in the power of corporate community partnerships.

We have a responsibility to make a difference in the communities in which we do business. It's not just a matter of channeling money to worthwhile causes, either. We believe people can make a difference, too. That's why we provide paid time-off for associates who want to give their time to volunteer efforts that positively impact the lives of children and promote diversity.

We also believe that corporate responsibility doesn't end at our doorstep.

We should be a good corporate citizen both here and abroad. We hope to accomplish this through vigorous enforcement of our Vendor Rules of Engagement and by consciously doing business with manufacturing agents and suppliers who share our core values.

Diversity works at Stride Rite.