Growth in Female, Minority Workforce Population Highlighted in Sodexo's 2009 Diversity and Inclusion Report

GAITHERSBURG, Md., October 26, 2009 - Despite the difficult economic environment that affected many companies and consumers over the past year, Sodexo continued to make progress in key areas of its diversity and inclusion strategy compared to the 2004 measurement baseline, as highlighted in Sodexo's newly released 2009 Diversity and Inclusion annual report. Milestones this year in the United States include strong growth in the female workforce (increase of 8 percent over the past five years) and minority management populations (15 percent increase in same period), and that more than 91 percent of employment candidate slates contain gender or ethnic diversity. The report also shows growth in employee network groups supporting diversity and inclusion, and continued recognition of the company as a diversity and inclusion leader. 

Sodexo, a comprehensive services solution company, employs 125,000 people in North America. The 2009 Diversity and Inclusion Report is available online.

Highlights of the report follow: 

Sodexo remained steadfast in its commitment to diversity and inclusion, and experienced strong growth rates in its minority and female employee populations in the U.S.

• In the past five years, the minority management population increased by 15 percent.
• The female employee population increased by 8 percent.
• Created a 40-member Global Diversity and Inclusion Task Force to continue to develop and implement a comprehensive global diversity strategy.
• Formed the Cross Market Diversity Council (CMDC) to leverage diversity and inclusion for greater business growth.

Recruiting diverse and highly skilled talent is a cornerstone of the diversity and inclusion effort in the U.S., and supports Sodexo's focus to become “Employer of Choice.”

• 91.5% of U.S. employment candidate slates contain gender or ethnic diversity.
• Sodexo is a leader in the use of social media to reach top diverse talent.
• In 2009, launched a Military Sourcing team to identify and recruit former military personnel.

Awards highlight the consistency of diversity efforts in recent years.

• Top 50 Companies for Diversity, DiversityInc., 2004, 2006-2009 
• Top 10 Companies for Latinos, DiversityInc., 2008-2009 
• Top 10 Companies for African Americans, DiversityInc., 2007-2009 
• Top 10 Companies for GLBT, DiversityInc., 2009 
• Disability Matters Award, Work Life Matters Magazine, 2009 
• Top 40 Best Companies for Diversity, Black Enterprise Magazine, 2009 
• Top 60 Companies for Hispanics, Hispanic Business Magazine, 2005-2009 
• Top 20 Best Corporations for Asian Pacific Americans, Asian Enterprise Magazine, 2006-2009 
• Five Awards for Supplier Diversity in 2009

Sodexo's integrated diversity and inclusion strategy aligns all initiatives to the company's diversity and inclusion goals.

• Seven Employee Network Groups in the U.S. help ensure a fully inclusive and open environment that provides opportunities for all employees to contribute. 
• Diversity bonuses are paid out regardless of the company's financial results, to reward outcomes and efforts that create a diverse and inclusive environment. 
• The company has a robust internship program and aggressive recruiting strategies at U.S. colleges and universities that serve minority populations. 
• Hosted sixth annual Diversity Business and Leadership Summit to share information about managing diversity and inclusion with nearly 100 clients.

“Diversity and inclusion strengthens our company and drives our business success,” said Rohini Anand, Senior Vice President and Global Chief Diversity Officer. “We have achieved many milestones, but we must continue to ensure we are sourcing, developing, and retaining a diverse and highly skilled workforce.”

To find out more about Sodexo's diversity and inclusion efforts, view the full report.

Sodexo, Inc.
Sodexo, Inc. (www.sodexoUSA.com) is a leading integrated facilities management services company in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, with $7.7 billion (USD) in annual revenue and 120,000 employees. Sodexo serves more than ten million customers daily in corporations, health care, long term care and retirement centers, schools, college campuses, government, and remote sites. Sodexo, Inc., headquartered in Gaithersburg, Md., is a member of Sodexo Group, and 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 $11 million in grants to fight hunger in America. Visit the corporate blog at www.sodexoUSA.com/blog.