Bloomberg has announced the 484 companies included in its 2023 Gender-Equality Index (GEI). The index allows companies to track their progress in gender inclusion and how diversity policies shape performance. Over 600 companies worldwide participated in the Gender Reporting Framework for the index; of those named in the final index, 17 percent were based in the Asia-Pacific region.
The average overall GEI score was 73 percent, and it recorded women in eight percent of CEO positions, 24 percent in executive positions, 30 percent in senior management, 38 percent in middle management and 50 percent in entry-level roles.
Over 90 percent of all companies offered work-from-home and flexible work hours, mental health support and paid bereavement leave. Over 86 percent also had unconscious bias training available to all employees. Around 73 percent of companies disclosed their gender pay gap, 60 percent publicly disclosed gender-based difference statistics, and 70 percent conducted an equal pay audit.
“The overarching drive towards equality is evident with the continual increase of global participation from companies. The Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index remains an important resource for companies to identify any gaps and provides actionable steps to further reshape the future of work,” said Peter T. Grauer, Chairman of Bloomberg.
GEI participants are socred against five pillars: leadership and talent pipeline, equal pay and gender pay parity, inclusive culture, anti-sexual harassment policies, and external brand. Questions on race and sexual orientation, gender identity and ethnicity are also surveyed.
Companies of note participating in the GEI include Westpac, Kraft Heinz Co, Loblaw Cos Ltd, Heineken, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners PLC, Colgate Palmolive Co and British American Tobacco.
“This year, GEI members’ disclosure for exploratory questions averaged at 92 percent, demonstrating collective interest in extending beyond gender inclusion metrics. The GEI continues to identify areas of impact for companies, helping to facilitate meaningful change that will ultimately contribute to more innovation, creativity, and higher performance,” said Patricia Torres, Global Head of Sustainable Finance Solutions at Bloomberg.
The average index score for companies in the Asia Pacific region was 67 percent, with a 95 percent disclosure rate and 56 percent data excellence rates.
