Methodology

Basic Principle

The top 500 "Best Employers for Diversity" have been chosen based on an independent survey from a vast sample of moe than 60,000 American employees working for firms or institutions with 1,000 or more employees. The employees were not consulted via their employers but anonymously through several online panels. By doing so, the employee could openly state his/her opinion, avoiding any influence from their employer. The survey was conducted using an online access panel, providing a representative sample of employees.

Selection of Employers

In an open-ended question with an autofill-option, each employee was asked which firm or institution he or she worked for. Where appropriate, subsidiaries of larger entities were combined for evaluation. The survey was conducted on companies from all industry sectors employing more than 1,000 employees in the United States.

The recommended employers have been classified into one or more of the 25 industry sectors listed below:

• Construction, Oil & Gas Operations, Mining and Chemicals
• Utilities
• Engineering, Manufacturing
• Automotive (Automotive and Suppliers)
• Aerospace & Defense
• Drugs & Biotechnology
• Semiconductors, Electronics, Electrical Engineering, Technology Hardware & Equipment
• Health Care Equipment & Services
• Packaged Goods
• Food, Soft Beverages, Alcohol & Tobacco
• Transportation and Logistics
• Banking and Financial Services
• Insurances
• Telecommunications Services, Cable Supplier
• IT, Internet, Software & Services
• Professional Services
• Media & Advertising
• Business Services & Supplies
• Government Services
• Education
• Healthcare & Social
• Retail, Wholesale
• Clothing, Shoes, Sports Equipment (Manufacturing and Retail)
• Restaurants
• Travel & Leisure

Evaluation Criteria

The evaluation was based on four different criteria:

1. Direct recommendations: The employees were asked to give their opinion on a series of statements surrounding the topics concerning their own employer

• Age
• gender equality
• ethnicity
• disability
• LGBTQ+
• general diversity

The rate of agreement/disagreement regarding the statements was measured on a 5-point Likert scale. In order to take the opinions of diverse groups into account, the recommendations of women, elders, and ethnic minorities were weighted significantly higher than the recommendations from non-minority groups. In addition, a perception correction factor (comparison between recommendations from minorities vs. from non-minorities) was considered.

2. Indirect recommendations: Additionally, participants were given the chance to evaluate other employers in their respective industries that stand out either positively or negatively with regard to diversity. Only the recommendations of minority groups were considered.

3. Diversity among top executives / board: Based on extensive research an index was built based on the share of women who fill top executive or board positions. Statista researched this data for each company using publicly available company information (Oct.-Dec. 2019).

4. Diversity Indicators: An index of objective and publicly available diversity KPIs (e.g. existence of a department/position responsible for diversity, proactive communication of diverse company culture) was created. Statista researched these KPIs for each company using publicly available company information.

Calculation

A score was calculated for each criterion and the sum was consolidated into a final score for each employer on a scale from 0 to 100, ranking the employers accordingly

The 500 highest-scoring companies were awarded "The Best Employers for Diversity"

For further information on the methodolodgy please click here.

* Please note the following conditions

Use of the label in your promotional materials is only permitted unmodified and only for a period of one year. You may not attribute any statement of fact to Forbes other than your placement on the list in your respective industry. You alone are responsible for the admissibility of the commercial use of the logo under competition law; in this respect, Forbes Media (FM) and Statista give no guarantee and assume no liability.

In consideration for payment, you (The Licensee) are hereby granted a nonexclusive, worldwide, non-transferable, non-sub-licensable license during the term of this Agreement for digital use rights (web posting, email, digital presentations, branded social media and similar) and print reproduction use rights (letterhead, sales materials, reports, white papers, brochures, posters and signage and similar) of the Forbes Logo (The Logo) pictured in this agreement. Licensee acknowledges and agrees that The Logo and all right, title and interest therein, is and shall remain the exclusive property of FM. Licensee shall not distort, misrepresent, alter the meaning of or otherwise edit The Logo. FM may terminate this Agreement upon 30 days’ written notice if Licensee materially breaches any of the terms of this Agreement; provided, however, that this Agreement will not terminate if the breaching party has substantially cured the breach to the reasonable satisfaction of FM within 30 days of a notice pursuant to this section. Upon termination or expiration of this Agreement, Licensee’s right to use The Logo shall immediately terminate and all rights granted to Licensee hereunder with respect to The Logo shall automatically revert to FM without further notice.

This Agreement contains the full and complete understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior representations and understanding, whether oral or written. This Agreement shall be construed and the rights and obligations of the parties shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York.

Please contact

Jennifer Silvey
Licensing Partnerships
Jennifer.Silvey@statista.com 
+1 212-419-8264

Shaan Ahuja
Licensing Partnerships
Shaan.Ahuja@statista.com
+1 212-419-5765

Sacny Yescas
Licensing Partnerships
Sacny.Yescas@statista.com
+1 212-419-8276

Brian Farhi
Licensing Partnerships
Brian.Farhi@statista.com 
+1 212-419-5785

Evan Tobias
Licensing Partnerships
Evan.Tobias@statista.com 
+1 212-419-8959