Sodexo Named as Top-Scorer on the 2017 Disability Equality Index List®
A high score of 90 percent makes Sodexo one of the “Best Places to Work for Disability and Inclusion”
GAITHERSBURG, Md., August 31, 2017 /3BL Media/ - Sodexo, a food services and facilities management company, was named as a top-scorer in the 2017 Disability Equality Index® produced by the US Business Leadership Network® (USBLN®) and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD). Sodexo, which received a 90 out of 100 percent, was among 110 companies who were evaluated on culture, leadership, community engagement and support services.
A firm commitment to employees with disabilities is a key part of Sodexo’s Diversity and Inclusion strategy. The company engages in improving the quality of life of employees with disabilities by providing an inclusive, adapted work environment where they can thrive, contribute, and reach their full potential.
Through SOAR (Sodexo Organization for Disabilities Resources), an employee resource group that supports and encourages people with disabilities, and larger-scale efforts such as the company’s Disability Voice initiative, where 56 ambassadors in 24 countries help to drive progress, Sodexo continues to sustain their commitment.
“Sodexo prides itself in creating opportunities and resources for all employees,” said Dr. Rohini Anand, SVP of Sustainability and Chief Diversity Officer, Sodexo. “We are thrilled to be recognized for our contributions by the US Business Leadership Network® and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) once again.”
Recognizing the need for companies to further their disability and inclusion initiatives, the US Business Leadership Network® (USBLN®) and American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) released the 2017 Disability Equality Index®. The 2017 DEI® showed a significant increase in companies’ recruitment efforts of people with disabilities.
“We applaud those companies that are advancing their disability and inclusion efforts across the business,” said Jill Houghton, President and CEO of USBLN®. “Taking the DEI® is a step within the journey, backed with concrete data and insight. The release of this report, and the 68 leading companies, challenges other companies to fill in those critical gaps, and realize the possible results by being inclusive to people with disabilities, throughout the workforce, marketplace and supply chain.”
Sodexo continues to be a leader in both the diversity and disability inclusion space. The company ranked sixth on DiversityInc’s 2016 list of Top Company for People with Disabilities (NOD), awarded as a top-scorer on the Disability Equality Index® three consecutive years in row and received the National Organization on Disability’s Leading Disability Employer Seal™. Visit our 2016 Global Diversity and Inclusion report for a complete list of awards.
About the DEI
The DEI® is a joint initiative of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and the US Business Leadership Network® (USBLN®). Developed by the DEI® Advisory Committee, a diverse group of business leaders, policy experts, and disability advocates, the DEI® is a national, transparent benchmarking tool that offers businesses an opportunity to receive a score on a scale of zero (0) to 100, on their disability inclusion policies and practices.
Sodexo in North America
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., Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation has contributed more than $29 million since 1999 to help feed children in America impacted by hunger.
Learn more about Sodexo at its corporate blog, Sodexo Insights.
