The Rise of the Public EEO-1
Google’s 2022 EEO-1 Report
In recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of corporations choosing to publicly disclose their EEO-1 Reports. This shift towards transparency is pivotal in understanding and addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within corporate environments.
Understanding EEO-1 Reports
EEO-1 Reports are mandatory compliance surveys required by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). They categorize a company’s workforce by ethnicity, race, gender, and job category. Historically, these reports were confidential, with access limited to select federal agencies, but even as we see post-George Floyd commitments wane, more and more companies are AT LEAST committed to being more transparent.
Why More Companies Are Disclosing EEO-1 Reports
The movement towards the publication of EEO-1 Reports aligns with a broader societal push for transparency and accountability, especially in the realms of social justice and equity. Investors, consumers, and employees are increasingly holding companies accountable for their diversity practices. Public disclosure of EEO-1 Reports serves as a benchmark to measure a company’s commitment to diversity and helps guide DEI initiatives.
Black Dollar Index’s EEO-1 Report Research
This past reporting year, the EEO-1 reports were delayed due to the EEOC completing a mandatory renewal process with the OMB, which pushed the reporting timeline to the fall of 2023. The delay was “unexpected” but after checking back, Black Dollar Index found that roughly 46 of the 130 companies we are researching have published their 2022 EEO-1 reports. Here is our complete list:
Allstate
Alphabet (Google)*
Amazon
American Express
Apple
AT&T
Bank of America
Best Buy
BlackRock
Cheesecake Factory
Chevron
Citigroup
Clorox
Coca Cola
Colgate-Palmolive
Comcast
CVS Health
Delta Airlines
Disney
Domino’s
Exxon
Federal Express
Ford Motor Company
Hasbro
HP
Intel
JP Morgan Chase
Keurig Dr. Pepper
Kohl’s
Lowe’s**
Marathon Petroleum
Marriott
Microsoft
Netflix
Nike
Pepsi
Progressive
Starbucks
T-Mobile/Sprint
Target
TJX
United Parcel Service
Verizon
Walgreens
Walmart
Yum!
In terms of workforce data, the Black Dollar Index looks specifically at total Black Employees, First/Mid-Level Officials and Managers, and Executive/Senior Level Officials and Managers categories on the EEO-1 report, as well as a corporations executive leadership committee, board of directors, and CEO composition. Things of note:
*Google‘s Black workforce representation is abysmal, falling well under the 13.4% Black population in all areas, except for their Board of Directors (20%)
**Lowe’s is BDI’s top performer across the board for Black representation, based on their 2022 EEO-1 Report, including their Black CEO
The Importance of Publishing EEO-1 Reports
Publishing EEO-1 Reports is more than a statutory obligation; it is a critical tool in promoting corporate responsibility and transparency. Here are several reasons why making these reports public is important:
- Enhancing Transparency: Publicly available reports allow stakeholders to hold corporations accountable for their diversity claims, fostering a culture of honesty and integrity.
- Benchmarking Progress: By regularly publishing these reports, companies can track their progress on diversity initiatives against industry standards and make data-driven decisions to improve.
- Building Trust: Companies that are open about their workforce’s demographic data are often trusted more by their employees, customers, and partners. This trust translates into better employee morale and consumer loyalty.
- Influencing Policy Changes: Widespread public access to EEO-1 data can influence public policy and lead to legislation that promotes equity across all sectors.
Moving Forward
As we move forward, even with the current attacks on DEI, the expectation for transparency in corporate diversity data is likely to grow. Companies will need to invest in more robust data management systems and be prepared to discuss their data and initiatives openly. The trend of publishing EEO-1 Reports is not merely a reaction to societal pressures but a proactive approach to leadership in a diverse world.
