Sodexo’s inclusive workplace efforts recognised for third year in Times Top 50 for Gender Equality

Sodexo UK & Ireland has been recognised as one of The Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality for the third consecutive year, underlining its sustained commitment to creating a more inclusive and equitable workplace.

The Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality is the UK’s most highly profiled and well-established listing of employers taking action to create workplaces where everyone, regardless of their gender, can thrive. The process is designed and assessed by Business in the Community and promoted by The Times.

The annual awards process recognises employers that are embedding gender equality into all levels of their organisations, and it reflects the continued commitment of leading employers to drive meaningful change. It continues to set the benchmark for responsible business practice, celebrating organisations that are not only making progress within their own workplaces but also helping to drive wider change across sectors.

This year’s recognition reflects Sodexo’s continued focus on using enhanced data and insight to drive accountability and improve outcomes for its employees across the business.

Sodexo is committed to fostering a diverse workplace and continues to work to understand where change is needed and introduce support to increase inclusion and help employees into or back to work. 

This includes:

• introducing a stronger external benchmark on access and progression through the Social Mobility Employer Index. Sodexo was the first organisation in its sector to do so.
• strengthening family‑friendly and inclusive policies, including parental leave and paid carers leave to support retention and progression.
• supporting employees at key life stages remains a priority, with targeted support including menopause and endometriosis policies and paid carers’ leave. Sodexo is an accredited Carer Confident and Menopause Friendly employer, and a member of the Endometriosis Friendly Employer scheme.
• continued investment in structured development pathways for all employees to support progression and improve representation at all levels. The company is already ahead of its ambitions for female representation in senior leadership.
• increasing governance and accountability, with pay gap insights now informing action planning and tracked through annual Social Impact reporting.
• building on its work to support colleagues affected by domestic abuse. Globally, Sodexo was the first in its sector to sign a joint intent with the International Union Federation (IUF), committing to action to help prevent domestic abuse worldwide.
• amplifying its employee’s voices and providing practical support on issues including wellbeing and financial resilience through its employee networks.

In the UK & Ireland Sodexo employs more than 30,000 people. The company uses its scale to drive positive change through its Social Impact Pledge 2030, which includes a dedicated 'People' pathway focused on creating workplaces where everyone can belong, thrive and progress.

Find out more about culture and belonging at Sodexo

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