Sodexo Ranks in the Top 10 for Ninth Consecutive Year on DiversityInc’s 2017 Top 50 Companies for Diversity

Sodexo’s focus on exceptional talent development programs and commitment to diversity and inclusion make it a perennial DiversityInc Top 10 Company
May 3, 2017 2:45 PM ET
DiversityInc 2017 Top 50 Award Logo

GAITHERSBURG, Md., May 3, 2017 /3BL Media/ - Sodexo, the world leader in Quality of Life Services, announced today that it ranked #6 on DiversityInc’s 2017 Top 50 Companies for Diversity list. This marks the ninth consecutive year that Sodexo’s metrics-driven commitment to diversity and inclusion was recognized among the top 10 companies. DiversityInc announced the rankings last night at its annual gala dinner in New York. Sodexo also earned spots on the following specialty lists:

  • #2 Top 13 Companies for Diversity Councils
  • #5 Top 12 Companies for Recruitment
  • #7 Top 12 Companies for People with Disabilities (NOD)
  • #15 Top 15 Companies for Mentoring
  • Top Companies for LGBT Employees list
  • Top Companies for Global Diversity list 

The DiversityInc Top 50 list, issued yearly since 2001, recognizes the nation’s top companies for diversity and inclusion management. These companies excel in such areas as hiring, retaining and promoting women, minorities, people with disabilities, LGBT and veterans.

 “There are simply not enough qualified people to hire. A company’s ability to find the best and brightest, advance and retain them equitably is a decisive competitive advantage,” notes Luke Visconti, founder and CEO of DiversityInc. “The DiversityInc Top 50 have a decisive metrics-evidenced ability to treat people more fairly than other large companies. They also have a greater-than-average return for their shareholders.”

This past year, Sodexo implemented a global transformation that served as a catalyst for continuing the company’s diversity and inclusion efforts. Globally, the number of women on Sodexo’s board of directors rose to 50 percent, a nine percent increase from last year, and is now led by Chairwoman Sophie Bellon. Additionally, women comprise 30 percent of the top 1,400 Sodexo managers with a target of increasing this to 40 percent by 2025.

“Each year, Sodexo strives to expand and strengthen our commitment to diversity and inclusion both internally and externally,” said Rohini Anand, Ph.D., senior vice president and global chief diversity officer. “Our commitment to D&I allows us to attract the best talent, spark innovation and provide the best solutions to our clients and customers.”  

DiversityInc’s extensive annual survey yields an empirically driven ranking based on recruitment, talent development, senior leadership commitment and supplier diversity. This year’s competition was improved by new survey questions, increased emphasis on fairness over chasing numbers and more sophisticated analysis from DiversityInc’s data scientists.

Companies with more than 1,000 U.S.-based employees are eligible to enter the DiversityInc Top 50 competition each year. Each company’s rank is based on an objective analysis of 183 separate factors, based on data from a 300-question survey. There are four equally weighted areas of measurement, which include Talent Pipeline, Equitable Talent Development, CEO/Leadership Commitment and Supplier Diversity. The 2017 Top 50 Companies for Diversity results will be featured on ‪DiversityInc.com and in DiversityInc magazine.

Learn more about Sodexo at its corporate blog, Sodexo Insights.

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About DiversityInc
The mission of DiversityInc is to bring education and clarity to the business benefits of diversity. The DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity list began in 2001, when many corporations were beginning to understand the business value of diversity-management initiatives. The 2017 Top 50 Companies for Diversity results will be featured on ‪DiversityInc.com and in DiversityInc magazine. DiversityInc is a VA certified veteran-owned business and a USBLN certified business owned by a person with a disability. For more information, visit www.diversityinc.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn @DiversityInc.

About Sodexo USA
Sodexo USA is an American business that is part of a global, Fortune 500 company with a presence in 80 countries. Delivering more than 100 services across North America that enhance organizational performance, contribute to local communities and improve quality of life, Sodexo is a leading provider of sustainable, integrated facilities management and food service operations. It employs 123,000 Americans at 12,500 sites across the country and indirectly supports tens of thousands of additional U.S. jobs through its annual purchases of $9.2 billion in goods and services from small to large American businesses. In support of local communities across the U.S., the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation has contributed close to $30 million over the past 20 years to help feed children in America impacted by hunger.