Gender equality in the workplace is a lesser discussed issue in Corporate Social Responsibility, yet an important one. A new report by Calvert finds improved disclosure of policies addressing gender diversity among S&P 100 companies; yet women and minorities are still underrepresented in the highest-paid executive positions according to the SocialFunds.com press release. Calvert reports who is leading the field in diversity indicators and who is lagging.
According to Barbara Krumsiek, President of Calvert. the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported earlier this year that “for the first time, women outnumbered men on the nation’s payrolls.” Despite this demographic milestone and improved overall disclosure on diversity, more than half of S&P 100 companies have no female and/or minority representation in the highest paid executive positions. Only 8.4% of the highest paid executive positions are held by women, while 92 of the CEO positions are held by white males.
Which S&P 100 companies are leading the field in advancing gender equality? Based on analysis of ten diversity indicators, Calvert reported the following top 10:
– Citigroup Inc.
– Sara Lee Corp
– JP Morgan Chase & Co.
– Coca Cola Co.
– Chevron Corp.
– Procter & Gamble Co.
– Nike Inc.
– Merck & Co Inc.
– Johnson & Johnson
– Abbott Laboratories
According to SocialFunds.com the companies with the lowest scores were Philip Morris, National Oilwell Varco, and Berkshire Hathaway.
Let’s hope shedding light on best practices and laggards in the diversity area can help propel gender equality in the workplace onto the CSR agenda. For more details on the state of diversity in the S&P 100 read Calvert’s Full Report entitled Examining the Cracks in the Ceiling: A Survey of Corporate Diversity Practices of the S&P 100.
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