Sodexo Releases 2011 Diversity and Inclusion Annual Report

(3BL Media / theCSRfeed) Gaithersburg, MD – December 7, 2011 – Sodexo, Inc., the leading global provider of Quality of Daily Life Solutions, released its Diversity and Inclusion annual report for North America today, covering progress for fiscal year 2011. The report highlights the ongoing journey that has established Sodexo as the benchmark company for diversity and inclusion in its industry. Sodexo is consistently recognized among all companies in North America as a best place to work for minorities, multicultural women, veterans, and people with disabilities.

The report reveals the business rationale for Sodexo’s commitment to diversity and inclusion by providing examples of how it drives their ability to attract, develop, and retain the best talent, foster an engaged and committed workforce, and deliver innovative quality of life solutions to their clients and customers. Other strategic benefits include new business opportunities, retaining clients, and cultivating external partnerships to support business priorities.   “The success of a diversity and inclusion program is often judged on how a workforce looks, but also the integration of diversity of thought and inclusion of people truly leads to systemic culture change. We are proud of the progress we have achieved yet continue to look for new opportunities that allow diversity to play a more strategic role in cultivating sustainable business growth,” explained George Chavel, president and CEO of Sodexo.   Highlights from the report include Sodexo’s focus on inclusion of GLBT and Persons with Disabilities, new piloted programs, and innovative technology.

• Setting the priorities for Sodexo’s diversity and inclusion efforts is the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Board. In 2011, they focused on fostering a culture of inclusion for all employees including people with disabilities and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.

• The innovative use of streaming video and a custom-built virtual platform allowed an additional 2,000 people to participate virtually in the 2011 Diversity Business and Leadership Summit hosted by Sodexo. The summit provides a day of professional development focused on building skills, knowledge and awareness around the different dimensions of diversity.

• New pilot programs engage frontline and administrative staff. By introducing two new programs focused on the development and retention of our frontline and administrative staff, Sodexo is further embedding diversity and inclusion into all levels of the organization.

“This report represents the strong, ongoing commitment Sodexo has to diversity and inclusion. As our journey evolves, it drives innovative perspectives, allows us to respond to our clients in a holistic way and most importantly, reach untapped potential within the marketplace,” said Rohini Anand, senior vice president and global chief diversity officer.   Read the 2011 Diversity and Inclusion Report. 

 

About Sodexo
Sodexo in North America
Sodexo, Inc. (www.sodexoUSA.com), leading Quality of Daily Life Solutions company in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, delivers On-site Service Solutions in Corporate, Education, Health Care, Government, and Remote Site segments, as well as Motivation Solutions such as Esteem Pass. 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 $15 million in grants to fight hunger in America. Visit the corporate blog at www.sodexoUSA.com/blog.
 
Sodexo, world leader in Quality of Daily Life Solutions
Quality of Life plays an important role in the progress of individuals and the performance of organizations. Based on this conviction, Sodexo acts as the strategic partner for companies and institutions that place a premium on performance and employee well-being, as it has since Pierre Bellon founded the company in 1966. Sharing the same passion for service, Sodexo's 391,000 employees in 80 countries design, manage and deliver an unrivaled array of On-site Service Solutions and Motivation Solutions. Sodexo has created a new form of service business that contributes to the fulfillment of its employees and the economic, social and environmental development of the communities, regions and countries in which it operates.

Key Figures (as of August 31, 2011)

Sodexo in the World
16 billion euro consolidated revenue
391,000 employees
33,400 sites
50 million consumers served daily
80 countries
21^st largest employer worldwide
 
Sodexo in North America
8.0 billion dollars revenue
125,000 employees
10 million consumers served daily
6,000 sites
700 facilities management sites

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