Sodexo earned the highest ranking in the 2009 Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility (HACR) Corporate Inclusion Index. The index, released in late December, measures the level of commitment to Hispanic inclusion in the areas of employment, procurement, philanthropy and governance among Fortune 100 and HACR Corporate Member companies.
Sodexo earned 90 of 100 points, the highest score of companies that were ranked. Criteria reviewed included: having Hispanics in senior management positions with policy-making responsibilities and staff members with significant budgetary control and responsibilities; having a Hispanic workforce that equals or exceeds the growing U.S. Hispanic population; a measurable commitment to procurement and supplier diversity that provides significant business opportunities for Hispanic-owned businesses; significant investments in Hispanic-led community service organizations at the local, regional and national levels in which a corporation operates; and having Hispanic directors on a company’s board, along with senior level executives, who help develop policies that insure inclusion of a changing customer base.
“We’re honored by this recognition, which reflects the important role our diverse workforce plays in making Sodexo an employer of choice and a global benchmark for diversity and inclusion,” said George Chavel, President and CEO, Sodexo North America. “Diversity is one of our key strategic imperatives, and a critical element of our long-term growth strategy.”
“Diversity and inclusion is an integral part of our culture and business success,” said Michael Montelongo, Sodexo Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer. “By unleashing the talents of Sodexo associates at all levels of the organization, our commitment to diversity helps us develop innovative solutions that give the company a competitive advantage.”
Sodexo, a comprehensive services solutions company, employs 120,000 people in North America. The company’s 2009 Diversity and Inclusion Report is available online at: www.sodexoUSA.com, under the Corporate Citizenship tab.
