Safety and Wellness

Safety: A Core Value at RYAM

At RYAM, safety is an essential part of our culture. We are deeply committed to ensuring that every employee and contractor goes home injury-free every day. This commitment drives our efforts to maintain a safe, healthy, and respectful working environment that prioritizes the wellness of our people.

 

Extraordinary Safety Leader (ESL) and Training Programs

To empower managers and supervisors to create and sustain a safe workplace, we’ve developed:

  • Extraordinary Safety Leader (ESL) training: Focused on identifying risks, minimizing accidents, and fostering proactive safety practices.
  • Front-line leader training programs: Integrating internationally recognized safety management practices with leadership skill development.

These programs reflect our dedication to a safe and healthy workplace, equipping employees with the knowledge and tools to prevent accidents before they occur.

Proactive Safety Measures

If an accident happens, our safety teams immediately investigate and share incident reports across facilities and the company. This ensures we learn from every incident and continuously improve safety for everyone.

Health and Wellness: Key to a Safer Workplace

A healthy workforce is a safer workforce. RYAM provides competitive benefits and wellness programs, offering coverage options that meet diverse employee needs while supporting a safer, healthier work environment.

By prioritizing safety, health, and wellness, RYAM creates a workplace where everyone can thrive with confidence and peace of mind.

Diversity and Inclusion

Building a Talented, Inclusive Workforce

At RYAM, attracting, retaining, and developing a talented workforce that reflects the communities where we operate is essential to our success. Our Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Group (DIAG), composed of employees from all levels and locations, plays a pivotal role in fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging. By providing direct feedback to RYAM’s senior leadership, DIAG supports our commitment to:
  • Valuing people and their unique perspectives
  • Sharing experiences to build understanding and collaboration
  • Creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive
This dedication to diversity and inclusion strengthens RYAM as a company and as a community partner, ensuring we continue to grow together.
Diverse Employees at RYAM

Authenticity, Inclusion, and Diversity at RYAM

At RYAM, we encourage everyone to bring their authentic selves to work. For us, inclusion and diversity are more than important ideas—they are essential values rooted in our strong Respect for People.

Embracing Diversity for Better Results

We are committed to fostering a workplace that values:

  • New ways of thinking
  • Different backgrounds, abilities, and experiences
  • Unique talents and perspectives

We believe that diverse perspectives drive innovation and deliver better results, strengthening our teams and our business.

Listening and Acting

At RYAM, we listen to our employees. Every year, we invite all team members to share their thoughts in a company-wide survey, which is carefully reviewed by senior leadership and used to implement meaningful improvements.

By prioritizing authenticity, inclusion, and diversity, we’re creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered to succeed.

Our Foundation

Integrity — Accountability — Quality — People

“At RYAM, we believe in unity through inclusivity. That is why we are dedicated to building a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We celebrate the different ideas, perspectives, cultures, and experiences of our employees and contractors.”

-De Lyle W. Bloomquist, CEO

Commitment to Human Rights

At RYAM, we are deeply committed to respecting the dignity of all individuals. We operate with responsibility, ethics, and integrity, ensuring that human rights are upheld in every aspect of our business.

This foundational commitment guides our decisions, strengthens our relationships, and reflects our dedication to fostering an environment where all people are valued and treated with respect.

Hand Holding a Sapling

Sustainability Committee

RYAM’s Sustainability Committee oversees the integration of corporate responsibility and sustainability into our business strategy, decision-making, operations, and stakeholder communication, including our Human Rights Policy.
Diverse Hands in a Circle

Respecting Human Rights

In addition to respecting human dignity in our operations, we require that our suppliers and business partners uphold the same standards, as reflected in our Supplier Code of Conduct.

Furthermore, we recognize that there are many declarations and policy statements that set forth international human rights principles, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, and The International Labor Organization’s (ILO) Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. These principles are embedded throughout our business, integrated into our values, and activated through the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Group and employee training.