DiversityInc Recognizes Sodexo's Diversity Leadership with a #1 Ranking on the 2013 Top 50 Companies for Diversity List

Gaithersburg, Md., April 24, 2013 /3BL Media/ – Sodexo, best known for providing a wide range of integrated services spanning facilities management to foodservice operations, has been recognized by DiversityInc as the #1 company on their 2013 Top 50 Companies for Diversity List for an unprecedented second time in four years. Over the last decade, Sodexo has emerged as a leader in addressing quality of life issues for organizations, their people and their customers, while also becoming the benchmark company for diversity and Inclusion. Sodexo routinely partners with companies and clients to support their diversity journeys. 

"The deep-rooted values of CEO George Chavel and the top of this organization have given Sodexo unparalleled success as a diversity leader -- No. 1 for the second time in four years and the only company to ever be in the top two four years in a row.  The mutually supportive relationship between George and Chief Diversity Officer Dr. Rohini Anand, and their highly capable staff, drive sustainable results. As an example, Sodexo's top level has almost 30 percent more racial/ethnic diversity and 38 percent more gender diversity than the DiversityInc Top 50. ," said DiversityInc CEO Luke Visconti.

With a footprint in over 80 countries, Sodexo has a long commitment to diversity in its workplace and its philanthropic endeavors.  Sodexo sees diversity and inclusion as a central management challenge in today’s global marketplace and that understanding how to best leverage a multicultural workforce is imperative for companies across all industries. Part of Sodexo’s success around diversity has been their ability to tie metrics to the Diversity & Inclusion efforts and also link D&I to the company’s goals and bottom line.  Sodexo recently worked with their nine Employee Business Resource Groups to expand their role from a focus on employee development and support to partnering with the company to meet growth goals and lead outreach efforts to make a positive impact on local communities.

Sodexo’s diverse workforce reflects its clients, their customers and the communities it serves, and creates strategic value by bringing a wealth of unique perspectives and experiences to its clients. This competitive advantage has allowed them to retain clients and secure new business by sharing diversity and inclusion best practices as an added value to its clients and prospective customers.  For example, Sodexo recognized that culturally competent/patient centered care is critical for health care providers in obtaining positive patient satisfaction survey results and lower-readmissions. Sodexo is collaborating with North Shore Long Island Jewish Health System and New York Hospital Queens by providing diversity and Inclusion training to their staff to assist them in achieving their strategic goals.

“Each year our commitment to diversity and inclusion becomes stronger and is embedded deeper within our organization and our business strategy. We recognize the opportunity and responsibility we have to share our best practices to improve the quality of life of the clients we serve and their customers,” said George Chavel, president and CEO for Sodexo North America.

About Sodexo

Sodexo in North America

Sodexo, Inc. (www.sodexoUSA.com), leading Quality of Life Services company in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, delivers On-site Services in Corporate, Education, Health Care, Government, and Remote Site segments, as well as Benefits and Rewards Services and Personal and Home Services. 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 $17 million in grants to end childhood hunger in America. Visit the corporate blog at blogs.sodexoUSA.com. Visit Sodexo on Facebook and follow on Twitter @SodexoUSA.