Forbes Recognizes the Y as one of America’s Best Employers for Diversity
CHICAGO, April 6, 2018 – The YMCA, a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, was recognized as part of Forbes' first-ever America's Best Employers for Diversity list Opens a new window. The list ranks the top of 250 diverse employers across all industries in the United States. Overall the Y placed 15th on the list and is the top ranked community-based organization.
“The Y is committed to becoming an even more diverse and inclusive organization at all levels to better reflect, engage and build bridges among all communities we serve,” said Lynda Gonzales-Chavez, senior vice president & chief diversity officer, YMCA of the USA. “While we continuously strive to strengthen our inclusion efforts, this ranking represents the hard work of all of Ys across the nation—and it’s an honor to receive such recognition.”
Currently the Y employs more than 250,000 people to serve its 22 million members through a network of 2,700 locations in 10,000 communities across the nation. This figure includes full-time, exempt staff, full-time non-exempt, part-time, and seasonal staff.
Methodology (source: Forbes.com)
Forbes worked with research firm Statista to compile the definitive list of the best employers for diversity in America. Statista surveyed 30,000 U.S. employees in August 2017 to inform the list, asking questions about diversity, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age and disability. Responses among underrepresented ethnic minorities, women and people aged 50 and older received greater weight in the ranking.
Other factors Statista incorporated were the gender split of companies’ management teams and boards, and whether a company proactively communicates about diversity. It also looked at the gap in diversity perceptions at a given organization. For example, if women, older employees and underrepresented minorities rated an employer poorly on diversity, but everyone else rated it highly, Statista considered that a negative indicator and adjusted the score downward. Only companies with 1,000 or more workers were eligible to qualify for the list.
You can see the full list here. To learn more about the Y visit ymca.net