Sodexo's Strategic Use of Diversity Metrics to Quantify, Calibrate, and Impact Business Goals Recognized with a Top-Two Spot on DiversityInc's List for Unprecedented 5th Consecutive Year

GAITHERSBURG, Md., April 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- With a #2 ranking in 2014, Sodexo, a leading provider of sustainable, integrated facilities management and foodservice operations, is the only company to rank in the top two on DiveristyInc's Top 50 Companies for Diversity list, five consecutive years, making it a benchmark company for sustainable inclusive practices.

The DiversityInc list assesses performance of approximately 900 companies based on four key areas of diversity management: Talent Pipeline, Equitable Talent Development, CEO/Leadership Commitment and Supplier Diversity. Sodexo ranked #1 in 2013 and 2010, and #2 in 2014, 2012 and 2011. 

"Innovation along with client and customer engagement offer the best vehicles for business performance and companies will increasingly find diverse management in the driver seat. Several key statistics bear that out," said George Chavel, president and CEO, Sodexo North America. "Today's minority populations will constitute a majority of our nation's children under 18 by 2023 and of working-age Americans by 2039; the number of women in the labor force is projected to grow at 14.3% compared to 10% for men; an aging U.S. population will see baby boomers working longer and side-by-side with millennials; and while the overall U.S. population is graying, our Latino population is young and a primary feeder for workforce growth."

People with disabilities constitute a critical and under-utilized segment of the nation's population According to the 2010 Census, almost 19 percent of the nearly 304 million people in the U.S. are living with some form of disability, 61% of them are of working age and the employment rate for people with disabilities is at least half that of people without disabilities.

"The competition for talent in today's marketplace can be fierce and it behooves the savvy business not to overlook highly talented and resilient individuals, including the 79 percent of working-age Americans with disabilities who are not employed," said Carol Glazer, president National Organization on Disability, "Sodexo has long been a leader among its peers in promoting the full participation and contributions of America's 56 million people with disabilities."

With a footprint in over 80 countries and a presence in 36,000 client locations, Sodexo understands the importance of creating an inclusive culture where its 430,000 employees can create innovative solutions for a diverse client base and meet the varied needs of the 75 million customers it touches every day. Sustaining its efforts to engage a diverse workforce and foster an inclusive culture that allows employees to contribute and thrive is considered essential.

The company has a long commitment to diversity in the workplace. Sodexo sees diversity and inclusion as a central management opportunity in today's global marketplace and recognizes that leveraging a multicultural workforce will become imperative for companies across all industries. Attuned to this reality, global CEO Michel Landel personally drives the diversity and inclusion efforts. Sodexo's board has 38% women and the executive committee reporting to Landel has 42% women. 

"The only company to be in the top-two five years in a row, Sodexo has deep commitment from senior leadership including its president and CEO for North America, George Chavel and Senior Vice President and Global Chief Diversity Officer, Rohini Anand," said Luke Visconti, CEO, DiversityInc. "That commitment extends to the very top of the organization where Global CEO, Michel Landel, has pledged that the top 300 employees will be 25 percent women by 2015." 

About Sodexo

Sodexo in North America

Sodexo, Inc. (www.sodexoUSA.com), leading Quality of Life Services company in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, delivers On-site Services in Corporate, Education, Health Care, Government, and Remote Site segments, as well as Benefits and Rewards Services and Personal and Home Services. Sodexo, Inc., headquartered in Gaithersburg, Md., funds all administrative costs for the Sodexo Foundation (www.SodexoFoundation.org), an independent charitable organization that, since its founding in 1999, has made more than $22 million in grants to end childhood hunger in America. Visit the corporate blog at blogs.sodexoUSA.com. Visit Sodexo on Facebook and follow on Twitter @SodexoUSA.

SOURCE Sodexo, Inc.