GlaxoSmithKline

GlaxoSmithKline
Industry	Pharmaceuticals and Chemicals
Founded	2000
Headquarters	Brentford, England
Area Served	Worldwide
CEO	Andrew Witty
Chairman	Christopher Gent
Products	Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology
Market Value	128.915,8m$
Employees	99,000
Website	www.gsk.com

About GlaxoSmithKline

GlaxoSmithKline is a global healthcare company that bases its commercial success on scientific innovation. Researching and developing numerous new medicines, the company’s focus is primarily in the area of pharmaceuticals, vaccines and consumer healthcare products. The aim is to provide broader access to the products for millions of people around the world in order to improve the quality of life and to better cure diseases.

Engagement in Cultural Diplomacy

GlaxoSmithKline strives for the promotion of cultural diplomacy and respect of human rights through its partnerships with different internationally recognized NGO’s such as Save the Children. The company has also sponsored important local and UK-based festivals that aim to strengthen community relations; for example the Coronation Festival event at Buckingham Palace. Furthermore, GlaxoSmithKline has signed internationally-agreed human rights documents such as the UN Global Compact. As a multinational company GlaxoSmithKline offers several different job opportunities in many countries worldwide. More precisely, through its future leaders program the company gives the possibility to young graduates to work abroad and gain international experience.

Employment Policy

With headquarters in the UK, GlaxoSmithKline is also globally present with commercial operations in more than 150 countries, a network of 86 manufacturing sites in 36 countries and large R&D centers in the UK, USA, Spain, Belgium and China. In their corporate website, GlaxoSmithKline has a section dedicated to inclusion and diversity in order to attract and retain a motivated workforce from all the communities where the company operates, including the emerging markets. However, the company’s purpose to promote male-female balance amongst its workforce, is outlined on their corporate website as well as in their 2012 annual CSR report which remarks that Asia Pacific is one region that has shown considerable progress with 45% of employees at general manager level being women.

Education

International Internship Programs

The corporation offers different short and long-term internships within its international internship program aimed at university undergraduates. Offers vary from country to country. In addition, GlaxoSmithKline has implemented a Future Leader’s program addressed to young university graduates.

Grants and Scholarships

GlaxoSmithKline carries out a series of educational programs and scholarships with a goal to improve public education. For example in the US, the corporation has contributed financially to the development of educational programs and institutions such as: America’s Promise-The Alliance for Youth, the Change the Equation program, the Institute for a Competitive Workforce or the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. The main purpose of these schemes is improving literacy and the educational and job-related skills of children and young people who are in a disadvantaged situations.

Notable activities

Activities in the Field of Humanitarian Aid

GlaxoSmithKline provides humanitarian aid through diverse means and projects, but the company’s focus is investing in healthcare and R&D in developing countries in order to combat widespread diseases such as HIV or AIDS. Moreover, the corporation has committed to re-invest 20% of its profits in projects for the improvement of healthcare infrastructure in the world’s least developed countries; projects include the development of training programs for local doctors and providing sanitary material. In Europe, GlaxoSmithKline cooperates with non-governmental organizations to join the effort of improving healthcare and health infrastructure. In disaster-affected zones and emergencies, the company actively participates by donating its products according to World Health Organization guidelines. The company maintains a non-partisan position, thus ensuring neutrality in supporting health needs.

Supporting Music & Visual Arts

In cooperation with the charity “Music in Hospitals”, GlaxoSmithKline has contributed to the promotion of music in UK hospitals by organizing 20 sponsored concerts in healthcare units across Scotland in the 12 months period. Furthermore, the corporation has sponsored several artistic and fashion projects, such as the GSK contemporary in 2010/2011, displaying diverse exhibitions related to fashion and art. In addition to the films and short films broadcasted during the GSK Contemporary, Glaxo has sponsored several film events, such as the 8th Annual North Carolina Gay & Lesbian Film Festival.

Supporting Sports

The company has been active in the field of sports by sponsoring numerous events such as the Montreal 2006 Gay Games. Moreover, GlaxoSmithKline sponsors sports teams as in the case of four-year sponsorship deal with England’s National Rugby team.

Promoting Human and Civil Rights

In its “Human Rights Statement”, GlaxoSmithKline states its commitment to promoting and safeguarding human rights by following the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the core labor standards set out by the International Labor Organization. GSK is also a signatory to the UN Global Compact. Moreover, the company states that clauses governing human rights are included in all supplier contracts and covered by the company’s third party code of conduct. These clauses govern, among other things, forced labor, child exploitation, slavery, workplace conditions, non-discrimination, wages, benefits and working hours.