SAN DIEGO, Jan. 16, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE) has been named to Forbes' list of the "Best Employers for Diversity 2019" and also to the 2019 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index, which distinguishes companies committed to transparency in gender reporting and advancing women's equality.
"We're a stronger company because of our diversity and inclusion," said G. Joyce Rowland, senior vice president and chief culture officer for Sempra Energy. "The different perspectives and backgrounds of our employees, management team and board enable better decision-making as we strive to become North America's premier energy infrastructure company."
Sempra Energy was ranked as the top utility by Forbes, and 20th overall out of 500 major U.S. companies and institutions from various sectors. This is the first time Sempra Energy has been recognized by Forbes on its "Best Employers for Diversity" list, which was introduced last year.
Forbes' list was determined by results from an independent survey of 50,000 employees working for major companies in the U.S. Respondents were asked open-ended questions on a series of statements on the topics of age, gender equality, ethnicity, disability, LGBTQ+ and general diversity concerning their own employer. Diversity among top executives and board members at each company also was considered for the ranking.
Sempra Energy was one of 14 utilities and a total of 230 companies recognized on the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index. This year, the index included companies from 10 sectors headquartered across 36 countries and regions.
The Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index measures gender equality using a standardized reporting framework which offers public companies the opportunity to disclose information on how they promote gender equality across four separate areas: company statistics, policies, community engagement and products and services.
Sempra Energy scored higher than the utility sector average in the areas of community engagement and gender employer statistics for the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index.
"We applaud Sempra Energy and the other 229 firms tracked by the index for their action to measure gender equality through the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index framework," said Peter T. Grauer, chairman of Bloomberg and founding chairman of the U.S. 30% Club. "Sempra Energy's Gender-Equality Index inclusion is a strong indicator to its employees, investors and industry peers alike that it is leading by example to advance ongoing efforts for a truly inclusive workplace."
Over the past five years, the number of women in officer and director roles at Sempra Energy has increased by 34 percent. Across the company, women make up 31 percent of the workforce, compared with the U.S. utility average of 25 percent, and 34 percent of management, compared with the U.S. utility average of 21 percent. Sempra Energy also is a leader in board diversity – eight out of 14, or 57 percent, of the company's board of directors are women and/or people of color.
Additionally, the Sempra Energy family of companies have programs dedicated to advancing supplier opportunities for businesses owned by women, minorities, service-disabled veterans, and LGBT-owned business enterprises. Sempra Energy also supports a number of STEM programs with schools and nonprofits that focus on mentoring young women who are interested in pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering and math.
Sempra Energy and its subsidiaries offer a variety of programs to enhance diversity of thought and inclusivity in the workplace, including employee councils, a mentorship program, an annual Diversity & Inclusion Summit and supplier diversity programs. Jeffrey W. Martin, chairman and CEO of Sempra Energy, also is a participant of the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion,™ the largest CEO-driven business commitment to advance diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
Sempra Energy owns and operates natural gas and electric distribution utilities and is a major developer of North American energy infrastructure.
Sempra Energy, a San Diego-based energy services holding company with 2017 revenues of more than $11 billion, is the utility holding company with the largest U.S. customer base. The Sempra Energy companies' approximately 20,000 employees serve more than 40 million consumers worldwide.
Sempra South American Utilities, Sempra North American Infrastructure, Sempra LNG & Midstream, Sempra Renewables, Sempra Mexico, Sempra Texas Utility, Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC (Oncor) and Infraestructura Energética Nova, S.A.B. de C.V. (IEnova) are not the same companies as the California utilities, San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E) or Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas), and Sempra South American Utilities, Sempra North American Infrastructure, Sempra LNG & Midstream, Sempra Renewables, Sempra Mexico, Sempra Texas Utility, Oncor and IEnova are not regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission.
SOURCE Sempra Energy
