Women may make up more than half the workforce but continue to be significantly underrepresented on corporate boards and in C-level executive positions, according to a major new study released by Calvert Investments, a long-time leader in advocating for corporate diversity.
“Examining the Cracks in the Ceiling: A Survey of Corporate Diversity Practices of the S&P 100” shows that out of the 100 CEOs represented in the survey, 92 were Caucasian males. Women make up approximately 18 percent of director positions within the S&P 100, and only 8.4% of the highest paid executive positions within the same group of companies.
Four key findings from the report are detailed below:
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The C-Suite is still hard to reach
The study shows that non-white, non-male officers are rare. Over half—56 companies—in the S&P 100 have no female and/or minority representation in their highest paid executive positions and only 14 companies have two or more diverse officers in these positions. -
No disclosure = No accountability
The report found that 37% of the S&P 100 companies disclose no demographic data on employees, such as race, ethnicity and gender. Only 8 companies disclose full EEO-1 data, that is, a full breakdown of the workforce by race and gender across employment categories. -
Integration and innovation abound
According to the report, 30% of the S&P 100 companies include some oversight of diversity issues at the board level and 34% of companies include diversity measures within their compensation plans. -
Corporate commitment remains the “x” factor
Overall, 38% of the S&P 100 companies demonstrate a robust commitment to diversity, both internally and externally.
As an investor, Calvert recognizes that those companies that combine competitive financial performance with fair and equitable working environments where diversity is not only tolerated but embraced are likely to recognize gains in both the workplace and marketplace and be better positioned to generate long-term value for their shareholders.
“We are very concerned about the fact that women and minorities continue to be under-represented at the highest levels of management,” said Barbara J. Krumsiek, President & CEO of Calvert Group, Ltd. “Without a pipeline of female and minority executives in highly-paid, highly responsible positions, it will be very difficult to achieve board diversity, which is critical to strong governance and good management.”
Calvert’s study, published in October 2010, evaluated S&P 100 companies according to ten indicators, including: EEO Policy, Internal Diversity Initiatives, External Diversity Initiatives, Scope of Diversity Initiatives, Family-Friendly Benefits, EEO-1 Disclosure, Highest Paid Executives, Board Representation, Director Selection Criteria and Overall Corporate Commitment.
The study showed that companies of this size have a significant commitment to diversity. None of the companies scored zero, and 65 out of 100 companies scored at or above 70 points. Moreover, a few of the companies emerged as genuine leaders in the diversity movement, setting an example that other companies could emulate. Among the top-scoring companies were Chevron Corporation, Citigroup Inc., Coca-Cola Company, JPMorgan Chase & Company and Sara Lee Corporation.
Still, the study also demonstrated how difficult it remains to measure progress, given major gaps in disclosure.
“We are concerned about the lack of disclosure, because data is critical to demonstrating progress in female and minority representation,” said Aditi Mohapatra, lead author of the report and analyst specializing in diversity issues in the Sustainability Research Department of Calvert Asset Management Company. “It is also important in evaluating the effectiveness of diversity initiatives. With better data, we could more readily compare the impact of various programs – such as dedicated management training for women and minorities, diverse employee resource groups, and recruitment and outreach initiatives – and recommend best practices.”
Calvert released the first edition of “Examining the Cracks in the Ceiling” in September 2008. That edition analyzed the corporate diversity practices of the companies held in the Calvert Social Index®. The 2008 report found that while nine companies within the survey showed no public commitment to diversity, only 3 percent demonstrated diversity excellence.
Click here to get a full copy of the 2010 study
