Gender-Balanced Management Teams Perform Better
The five-year study of 70 entities across different functions represents 50,000 managers worldwide.
"These results add a new, compelling dimension to a growing body of research that demonstrates the business benefits of gender equity," said Rohini Anand, PhD, Senior Vice President, Corporate Responsibility and Global Chief Diversity Officer, Sodexo.
"The distinctive nature of the study, with its examination of both financial and non-financial performance indicators across so many levels of management and the pipeline to leadership, is a significant piece of the overall picture on importance of gender in the workforce for enhanced outcomes."
Key findings
- Operating margins significantly increased among more gender-balanced teams than other teams.
- Gender-balanced entities had an average employee retention rate that was 8 percentage points higher than other entities
- Gender-balanced entities had an average client retention rate that was 9 percentage points higher than other entities.
- Gender-balanced management reported an employee engagement rate that was 14 percentage points higher than other entities.
- Gender-balanced entities saw the number of accidents decrease by 12 percentage points more than other entities.
The unique Sodexo Gender Balance Study builds on previous internal and external research and amplifies Sodexo's commitment to gender parity and an inclusive culture - with women already representing 50 per cent of the Group's board. Thirty-two per cent of senior leadership positions are held by women globally - a 6 per cent increase at the very top levels since 2013. Middle management and site management positions are balanced at 46 per cent. Currently, 59 per cent of the total workforce works within gender-balanced management.
The company is committed to a target of 40 per women in senior leadership ranks by 2025, and has linked 10 per cent of bonuses to this metric.
