The number of new rankings and indices measuring gender equality continues to grow. In November 2019, a new ranking by the Financial Times (FT) on the topic of Diversity & Inclusion was published. What is special: in a large-scale survey, European employees were asked how openly and transparently their employers' diversity and inclusion measures are perceived. 

Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) has moved into the public spotlight. Looking at the number of Google searches in the Search Ranking, there has been a sharp increase in interest in D&I since 2015, with growth of 300 percent. This is also reflected in the rankings: in 2019 alone, there were more than 69 awards and over 180 rankings for different D&I aspects in Germany/the USA/global. With the Equal Participation Act and the Pay Transparency Act in Germany and with the requirements for gender quotas in France, Belgium, and Germany, the topic of D&I has become directly relevant for investors. 

For investors, relevant rankings include the Gender Diversity Index from Boston Consulting, the European Gender Diversity Index from Ethics & Boards, or the Bloomberg Gender Equality Index. These are based on publicly available data, so companies are evaluated without needing to contribute actively, and then ranked publicly (see table: Ranking Providers). Even in such cases, however, good preparation of information and transparency can achieve better positioning. For D&I, those responsible must also bear in mind that only companies with enough employees can be listed. Lists like Forbes The World's Most Powerful Women, Germany's Top 100 Out Executives and the DIW Women Executives Barometer highlight role models. Company rankings such as Great Place to Work USA – Best Workplaces for Diversity attempt either to capture transparency in policies to promote D&I or direct KPIs as proof of success. 

The FT Diversity Leaders ranking, however, is not based on publicly known facts or internal company data on D&I but on a comprehensive employee survey, similar to the Best Employers in Germany ranking published by STERN magazine and also run by Statista. All 700 listed companies can use a quality seal "FT Diversity Leader." This sets it apart from D&I rankings that focus on ESG-relevant investor criteria, such as the Bloomberg Gender Equality Index or the Refinitiv Gender Equality Index. 

For FT Diversity Leaders 2020, Statista surveyed 80,000 full- and part-time employees in European countries using online panels from market research companies. In addition, 14,000 HR and recruiting experts were surveyed by email. The survey asked how D&I is perceived at their own employer, how credible the measures are considered to be, and which company policies are recognized. The evaluation also included assessments from employees working at competitors in the same industry. 

Companies with more than 250 employees had to expect inclusion in the index, with the exception of the education sector. Evaluations submitted by women, older employees, LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) employees, and employees with disabilities were weighted more heavily by Statista. 

For the evaluation, Statista ranked 700 companies on a scale from 1 to 10. The higher the score, the higher the company's position in the ranking. In the current ranking, company score values are very close together. A difference of just ±1 point on the score scale can mean a shift of more than 150 ranking places. If a company conducts its own employee survey, it makes sense to compare the results with those of Statista. For this, however, benchmarking data is essential. 

Because of the FT Diversity Leaders methodology, significant changes in ranking positions are possible from year to year and should be well justified. Due to FT's strong circulation, especially among senior executives and investors, experts in investor relations and communications advise preparing carefully for the next publication of the ranking at the end of this year. 

FT Diversity Leaders 2020 

Key Facts 

• The ranking FT Diversity Leaders 2020 is based on a panel survey of 80,000 employees in ten European countries, plus 14,000 recruiting experts and agencies via email. 

• The survey asked about the perception, credibility, and transparency of company-internal D&I policies compared with other employers and industry peers. 

• The Diversity Leader quality seal 2020 is awarded to listed companies. 

What you should know 

• Small differences in score can mean large differences in placement. 

• Example: In this year's ranking, Colgate Palmolive (Rank 2; 8.57) and Thenus (Rank 179; 7.57) are only exactly 1.0 points apart on a 10-point scale. 

• The Financial Times currently publishes the ranking once a year.