Companies with greater gender diversity in leadership roles and promotions, and with more women in highly compensated and revenue-producing jobs, generate a more positive experience for all employees throughout their organizations, according to a new analysis by Willis Towers Watson (NASDAQ: WLTW), a leading global advisory, broking and solutions company. Additionally, companies with leadership structures that support diversity, such as having a chief diversity officer, are perceived to be more inclusive by employees.
The analysis links diversity practices with opinions from 1.3 million employees surveyed by Willis Towers Watson at 39 companies included in the 2020 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index (GEI). This is the second year that Willis Towers Watson has conducted this analysis cross-referencing GEI data. The employee attitude data are integrated with Bloomberg data on gender-related programs and practices to examine linkages between gender-diversity policies and employee opinion. The GEI, which overall includes 325 companies, tracks the financial performance of companies that are committed to advancing women in the workplace through disclosure of gender-related data specific to female leadership, pay parity, inclusive culture, sexual harassment policies and pro-women branding.
Among the key findings from the analysis:
“Companies that demonstrate a strong commitment to inclusion are continuing to see a payoff that benefits the entire organization,” said Amy DeVylder Levanat, senior director, Human Capital and Benefits, Willis Towers Watson. “In the current disruptive environment, greater gender diversity in leadership roles can help companies foster a much-needed employee experience of trust, support and the ability to have a voice — all of which are critical during these challenging times.”
“The COVID-19 pandemic has brought with it increased investor interest in social factors — the 'S' in environmental, social and governance investing — like gender equality,” said Patricia Torres, head of Sustainable Finance Solutions at Bloomberg. “And it's no surprise as research has shown that a diverse workforce drives innovation and performance, leading to stronger financial returns for investors. The data behind the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index further underscores this trend, showcasing how nurturing corporate environments can impact a firm's bottom line.”
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