The important work we do as a global leader in water, hygiene and infection prevention starts with our team. At Ecolab, we recognize that our people are our greatest strength, which is why we have established ambitious diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) targets as part of our 2030 Impact Goals. We see our DE&I efforts as imperative to the success of our associates, company, customers and communities and we are already making significant progress.  

We are on track to achieve our goal of maintaining pay equity in the U.S., based on third-party audits. And we have had zero turnover differences in people of color vs. white associates in the last year. 

We have built an increasingly diverse workforce, with women making up 38% of all new management-level hires globally in 2021, and people of color making up 35% of new management-level hires. We grew management-level gender diversity to 25.5% and management-level ethnic and racial diversity in the U.S. to 18.8%.

Our marketplace spend with diverse suppliers is up 96% and the total number of suppliers we work with has increased 30%. We have also aligned 76% of our community giving with environmental, sustainability and governance-related goals, with a focus on at-risk and vulnerable communities.

Our progress toward our 2030 Impact Goals has been credited in a variety of ways, such as being recognized as a Top 50 Company for Diversity by DiversityInc. More recently, Ecolab G.K. in Japan received the Forbes JAPAN Women Award, one of the nation’s most significant awards recognizing companies that support female professionals and leaders. Through company surveys, an advisory review process and Forbes JAPAN’s global perspective, initiatives at Ecolab G.K. were shown to improve work styles and mindsets of women and men alike, creating a more equitable environment. This external recognition serves as affirmation that the steps we’re taking are meaningfully moving us forward.

Throughout the world, Ecolab associates take part in a range of efforts to promote DE&I, from engagement in employee resource groups to participation in initiatives to enhance allyship among associates. 

Of course, our 2030 Impact Goals are not about reaching the numbers themselves, but about what the numbers represent — the collective impact we are able to achieve through enhancing DE&I in our workforce. We believe our progress will help us grow, innovate and provide better solutions for our customers, communities and the world.