Pledging to Help Close the National Gender Pay Gap

Washington, DC, December 7, 2016 /3BL Media / - Nestlé companies in the U.S. affirmed their commitment to employees’ health and wellness today, including the opportunity to work in an environment where everyone feels empowered, appreciated and respected. Announced at the 4th annual Women Rule Summit, Nestlé and more than 40 private sector businesses took the White House Equal Pay Pledge to close the national pay gap.

In taking the pledge, each company cemented its belief that businesses must play a critical role in reducing the national pay gap and committed to:

• Conducting an annual company-wide gender pay analysis across occupations;
• Reviewing hiring and promotion processes and procedures to reduce unconscious bias and structural barriers; and
• Embedding equal pay efforts into broader enterprise-wide equity initiatives, along with identifying and promoting other best practices that will close the national wage gap to ensure fundamental fairness for all workers.

Enhancing gender balance in our workforce is one of Nestlé’s core societal commitments, globally and in the United States. Gender equality is core component of this balance. “When we treat our employees with respect and compensate them fairly and equitably for their contributions throughout their careers, it empowers every employee to innovate and excel,” said Judy Cascapera, Chief People Office at Nestlé USA. “Nestlé believes that striving towards equal pay, fair hiring, retention and promotion practices, and investing in leadership and professional development opportunities for women is good for our people, our consumers and our business.”

Nestlé’s commitment to gender balance and addressing the national pay gap goes beyond a moment of in time to consider many factors that contribute to successful employee careers. Nestlé has committed to continue investment in programs including providing support for dual-career spouses as part of our International Dual Career Network, hosting networking events in conjunction with the Network of Executive Women Leadership Summit, continuing to find opportunities to publicly celebrate the accomplishments of our women executives throughout our businesses and encouraging eligible employees to take advantage of our Parent Support Policy, which offers up to 14 weeks of paid leave for primary caregivers with the option of extending unpaid leave up to six months.

Despite efforts to lower the barriers to equal pay, the reality is that, in 2014, the typical woman working full-time all year in the United States earned only 79 percent of what the typical man earned working full-time all year. This may have a negative impact on wellness, the economy and women's advancement in the workplace. Ensuring fair pay can help businesses attract the strongest talent and not only narrow the gender pay gap, but also boost productivity and benefit our economy.

About Nestlé in the United States

Nestlé in the United States is committed to being a trusted leader in nutrition, health and wellness. Our diverse portfolio of food and beverage products provide nutritious options for every member of the family, including infants, toddlers, teens and adults, mature adults, and dogs and cats. Nestlé in the U.S. consists of eight main businesses: Nestlé USA, Nestlé Purina PetCare Company, Nestlé Waters North America, Nestlé Nutrition, Nestlé Professional, Nespresso, Nestlé Skin Health and Nestlé Health Science. Together, these companies operate in more than 120 locations in 47 states and employ over 51,000 people. The United States is Nestlé S.A.’s largest market with combined product sales in the United States totaling more than $26 billion in 2014.

At Nestlé, we believe that for our business to prosper in the long term, we must create value for our employees, customers, stakeholders, consumers and the communities where we live and work. Nestlé embeds Creating Shared Value (CSV) into every part of its business, from nutrition and wellness to environmental sustainability and responsible sourcing. For more information, visit: http://www.Nestléusa.com/creating-shared-value.

Media contact:

Lisa Gibby
Nestlé in the U.S.
202-531-8222
lisa.gibby@us.nestle.com