Ultimate Software

People first

Monday 12 June 2017, by Marta

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A. The main facts about the activities of the company.

Ultimate Software is an american firm provider of the online software tool for HR management. Their product, UltiPro, is classified as a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) which provides cloud-based human capital management (HCM). It was founded in 1990, by current president and CEO, Scott Scherr. In 1993 Ultimate released UltiPro and in June 1998 went public. The company is planning expanding to other countries, and based on their results (in 2016 obtained an income of 781 million USD) they have proven that a firm can be very successful while conducting ethical practices. Currently, it has 3700 clients over 160 countries and over 3700 employees.
 
Among others, we can find clients as Bloomin’ Brands, Culligan International, Feeding America, Major League Baseball, Red Roof Inn, SUBWAY, Texas Roadhouse, and Yamaha Corporation of America. Their Business Model consist on a SaaS sold by a monthly subscription per employee, and assist the companies in tasks as time and attendance control, employee onboarding, performance management, compensation management, succession management, recruiting, and other features like predictive analytics.

B. The Ethical challenges this company is addressing.

The way to better define the attitude of Ultimate is their own slogan “People First”. Probably, the biggest commitment this company has is for Equality: their whole culture is built on respect, and care for all people. The best example of the different levels in which this firm fights for EQUALITY is taking a look at their employees:
• 30% of their employees are Hispanics or African-American, and which is even more important: 20% of those are managers or above. Ultimate has been chosen as the #1 Workplace for Hispanics and Latinos by FORTUNE magazine, proving that this is not a marketing move.
• 49% of their employees are Women, 42% of which corresponds to leadership positions. They created the organisation “Women in Leadership”, a community that helps women and allows them to discuss their goals, ask questions, and collaborate to have a positive impact on future female leaders at work, at school, and in the community.
• Founded the organisation PRIDE US: Ultimate’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, and ally (LGBTQIA) organization. With more than 170 members that fight for the rights and comfort of this community, and also volunteer in lots of LGBTQIA organizations and campaigns: GLBT National Help Center, Trevor Project, Miami Bridge, Equality Orlando, The Armorettes, Bryan’s House, Lost N’ Found Youth or The 519.

But beyond its commitment with equality, Ultimate also collaborate in time and money with several NGO’s in order to put effort in benefit society, until 2016 Ultimate Software has collaborated with:
American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, American Red Cross - Disaster Relief Efforts, ARC Broward, Becca’s Closet, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, Kids in Distress, Leiter’s Landing, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Rebuilding Together, United Way and YMCA.

C. What makes you believe this company is really ethical and why you trust it?

It can be said that the company complies with its logo of ‘people first’ with the customers but also with their employees. Trying to improve the working place of a company is actually ethical because currently the objective of many companies is focused on the increased benefits, which will diminish the importance of other relevant things in a company such as the satisfaction of their employees.
 
Also, taking care of their employees affirms that Ultimate will take care of its customers as well. Moreover, the employees are compromised and absolutely dedicated to offer the maximum quality attention to their customers. So, it means that the quality of the service depends on the state of mind of the employees. This way so, the company dedicates great part of his work satisfying its employees in order that they could reach his maximum performance.
 
Ultimate occupies the first positions in the ranking of prestigious magazines as FORTUNE and Forbes, without having any link of interests. For example, the company occupies the position nº1 in Best Workplace’s ranking in Technology and the 21st Best Company to Work For by FORTUNE, and the position nº7 in the Most Innovative Growth Company.
 
Not only we can check that the actions of the company are ethically correct for the first positions that it occupies in the rankings. Also we can check it with the actions and answers of its employees who feel very recognized and proud inside the company. Some of the actions that the company lead to take care of its employees and in general for the whole company, customers and suppliers are: Ultimate Software makes all of its employees owners by giving them stock units when they join the company. Also the company pays 100% of the premium for healthcare, prescription, dental for employees and their family members. Also it pays for all new employees new-hire orientation. People who work in Ultimate do it because they want to be there. Ultimate reward trips for employees for achievement of goals. Ultimate gives each employee $300 per children and finally Ultimate has a website, called UltiHome, dedicated to employee interests.

D.The possible challenges facing the company in the future and how you think this company may improve.

One of the employees of the company does this confession in the mass media that check fully that the company is taking decisions about taking care to the " small family " that Ultimate is constructing:
‘’I am thrilled to come to work every day. My work is purposeful and recognized in an environment designed for comfort and efficiency. My leadership is excellent all-around and is always very supportive of my professional success. It truly feels like I work with family every day, I have a deep respect and admiration for all of our peeps and our executives. They built a small home. ‘’
Reference: https://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Employee-Review-Ultimate-Software-RVW15219415.htm
 
The company stimulates very much the participation and cooperation between employees of all ages, kind and cultures, which is one of the most distinctive ethical characteristics of the company. Also it stimulates very much the participation of the family in the company, paying trips, medical insurances, etc.
There is nothing negative to say about Ultimate. Both the workers and the clients are very satisfied on the offer and personal attention. Even this way, the workers make clear that one of the points that the company might improve is the feedback received between companions. That is to say, that the companions should be more receptive with the opinions of their companions.
Finally, one of the aspects that Uniform might improve is to try to grow as company supporting its ethical path for stakeholders and without losing the values with which it stands out. This way so, it might be announced more as ethical company so that will attract those workers of a high quality and clients who bet for an ethical product without any lack of ethical and moral doubts.

Bibliography

http://www.ultimatesoftware.com
https://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Employee-Review-Ultimate-Software-RVW15219415.htm

Sector: Professional, scientific and technical activities

Official website: http://http://www.ultimatesoftware.com

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