EuroStoxx 50 pro-actively communicate Diversity through various channels

93.9% of the EuroStoxx50 companies cover Diversity in their 2011 CSR Reports, 77,6% in their Annual Reports and 94% on the corporate Websites. These are the impressive numbers from the third comprehensive analysis of its kind evaluating corporate communication of European Blue-Chip companies, initiated by European Diversity Research & Consulting.
The study shows, however, that on average companies put more emphasis on presenting their D&I work and achievements in the context of CSR reporting or as part of their online employer branding. And there is still a big gap in the scope of the coverage as well: Only seven companies publish one page or more in their Annual Reports compared to 25 dedicating one page or more within their CSR reports. But then, CSR Reports tend to have more space (pages) for general free-text information. The general findings correspond with two previous studies of Stoxx50 corporate reporting. Due to the economic context, the focus was this year put on the EuroStoxx.
The study’s regional comparison shows that only in the Italian-Spanish cluster all companies cover Diversity in their CSR reports; and they do so covering three or more dimensions. These companies are also most likely to report concrete achievements from their D&I work (80%) than the average sample. In previous studies of the Stoxx50, only UK companies showed a 100% coverage, which are not included in the Euro-zone analysis.
Regarding differences across sectors, the Industrial cluster boasted the only 100% coverage of Diversity within Annual Reports, while Automotive, Financial, and ITC clusters showed 100% coverage in CSR Reports and on corporate websites.
Overall, a remarkable group of 30 companies cover at least 4 core dimensions (including Work Life Balance) in their communication and the vast majority, 22 companies, include concrete achievements of their D&I implementation in their Annual Reports. This level of specific information beyond statements of commitment and description of programmes is in line with previous findings of the Stoxx 50 analyses of 2009 and 2007 Corporate reports.
In 2012, 70% of the companies position Diversity in combination with Inclusion and/or Equal Opportunities. This points to an increasing breadth and comprehensiveness of the concept of Diversity Management, which is, however, not supported by the number of dimensions covered. Focus areas continue to be Gender followed by Ethnicity and Disability.
Over the years, the studies analysed the corporate communication of 80 large multinationals and overall confirm that Diversity has become an integral part for a vast majority of global players. This also increases the peer pressure on the few which have not yet included Diversity in their strategic agenda and, as a consequence, in their communication with key stakeholders: Investors (Annual Reports), Public (CSR reports) and candidates/labour market (websites / career sections). The nature of the reporting underscores the confidence companies have gained about the effectiveness of their work. The research also shows, however, that the journey continues.
Summary reports for 2011 (EuroStoxx50, published 2012) and 2009 (Stoxx50, published 2010) can be ordered from research@europeandiversity.com