Tag: 3BL

January 24, 2024 /3BL/ – With the growing climate crisis creating significant risks and opportunities in capital markets, the Ceres Accelerator for Sustainable Capital Markets released a new report today sharing investor insights on the quality of climate data, where the most critical credibility gaps lie, and how high quality, independent assurance can help close those gaps.

The report, Closing the Gap: Investor Insights into Decision-Useful Climate Data Assurance, outlines the role of third-party assurance in promoting efficient capital markets and gives recommendations on how data preparers can incorporate assurance over climate. The message from investors interviewed for the report was unanimous: the current state of climate-related information is insufficient. Investors shared that their decisions often rely on data that is based on inconsistent methodologies and that lacks a systematic check on management biases.

The report also points to new applications for disclosures that investors said would benefit from independent, third-party assurances, including greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and targets, metrics used in executive compensation, and sustainability linked bonds. The report highlights several opportunities to design protocols to apply assurance using existing principles and practices to improve the quality of key information used by investors.

“Institutional investors have made it clear that they need consistent, comparable, decision-useful climate data,” said Steven M. Rothstein, Managing Director of the Ceres Accelerator for Sustainable Capital Markets at Ceres. “Assurance over corporate climate disclosure is critical to prevent greenwashing and ensure that investors can make decisions promoting long-term shareholder value and economic growth.”

Independent, third-party assurance is a long-standing mechanism to protect investors as well as the long-term stability of capital markets. Mandatory assurance over annual financial statements is critical to the functioning of efficient capital markets because it reduces the risk of material misstatement to a level that is acceptable to the user of the information.

For investors, assurance can address concerns about the reliability of corporate disclosures, and it is just as applicable to sustainability disclosures as to the traditional financial statements. Assurance is a key process to give investors the confidence that the estimates used to prepare disclosures are not influenced by hidden changes in methodology, bias, or unrealistic assumptions.

To give investors greater confidence in the disclosed climate data, the report recommends companies:

Highlight considerations of energy transition plans and GHG accounting guidelines in the accounting policy note to the financial statements to make it clear how energy transition plans have been considered in the development of accounting policiesDisclose climate and sustainability data methodologies, key assumptions, and calculationsImplement effective governance over climate and sustainability dataEnsure the audit committee oversees all assurance providersCreate and document a clear data flow and an ownership structure of climate and sustainability dataEngage the financial reporting team in the collection and reporting of sustainability-related informationEnsure that third-party assurance providers consider component assertions underlying sustainability disclosures including climate data

This report is a follow-up to Ceres’ 2021 report, Lifting the Veil: Investor Expectations for Paris-aligned Financial Reporting at Oil and Gas Companies.

Editor’s note: Ceres will host a webinar Feb. 21 at 10:00 a.m. ET reviewing key findings from the report and featuring perspectives from the report authors and investors. It is open to the media. Register here. 

About Ceres 

Ceres is a nonprofit organization working with the most influential capital market leaders to solve the world’s greatest sustainability challenges. The Ceres Accelerator for Sustainable Capital Markets is a center of excellence within Ceres that aims to transform the practices and policies that govern capital markets to reduce the worst financial impacts of the climate crisis. It spurs action on climate change as a systemic financial risk—driving the large-scale behavior and systems change needed to achieve a net-zero emissions economy through key financial actors including investors, banks, and insurers. The Ceres Accelerator also works with corporate boards of directors on improving governance of climate change and other sustainability issues. For more information, visit ceres.org and ceres.org/accelerator and follow @CeresNews.

Media contact: 

Diane May, Ceres
dmay@ceres.org

Global nonprofits received a record-breaking $3.2 billion in donations through the Benevity platform in 2023 – a 14% year over year increase.For the first-time ever, more than 2.3 million people donated to causes around the world in a single year – a 22% increase over 2022.A total of $83.5 million was donated during the last quarter of 2023 to nonprofits supporting humanitarian relief and crisis response for the people of Israel and Palestine.

CALGARY, Alberta, January 24, 2024 /3BL/ – Benevity Inc., the leading provider of global corporate purpose software, today announced its annual top charitable causes and giving trends data, which revealed that humanitarian aid for the people impacted by the Israel-Hamas war significantly impacted giving behavior in 2023. In the last three months of the year, support poured in from around the world, with $83.5 million in donations towards providing emergency medical assistance, food and shelter for the people of Israel and Palestine.

Overall, a record-breaking $3.2 billion was donated to nonprofits in 2023 by more than 2.3 million people from 800+ companies through the Benevity platform – a 14% increase over the previous year. More than 265,000 unique causes received donations from Benevity’s clients and their people last year – up 18% compared to 2022, demonstrating the power of corporations in driving giving behavior and purpose-driven actions, despite individual giving being on the decline in recent years.

Key Findings

Donations to nonprofits supporting humanitarian aid for people affected by the Israel-Hamas war surged during the last three months of 2023, with a total of $83.5 million donated to causes that deliver emergency medical assistance and food and shelter support to the region, including Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (ranked 4 vs. 267 in 2022), American Friends Of Magen David Adom (ranked 6 vs. 3,012 in 2022), Magen David Adom In Israel (ranked 15 vs. 70,763 in 2022), Islamic Relief (ranked 9 vs. 15 in 2022) and the Palestine Red Crescent Society-Al-Bireh Branch (ranked 17 vs. 13,835 in 2022). Historically, nonprofits delivering humanitarian aid to the region would receive an estimated $1.96 million during the same time frame, representing about a 40-fold increase.Causes supporting human rights, food security and health-focused nonprofits, including Planned Parenthood, National/State Cancer Societies, Save The Children Federation Inc. and Second Harvest of Silicon Valley continued to receive high levels of donations and support in 2023.Environmental disasters including the Hawaii fires and Turkey-Syria earthquake also drove an increase in donations to causes such as Hawaii Community Foundation, Center For Disaster Philanthropy Inc. and Bridge To Turkiye Fund.Six of the top 10 causes from 2022 remained consistent on the list in 2023, including the Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Planned Parenthood, UNICEF and World Central Kitchen Incorporated.

“Benevity is proud to have helped companies around the world leverage technology to rapidly engage employees and customers in giving to trusted organizations that transcend the poles of war and allow people to support people during a difficult time.” 
– Sona Khosla, Chief Impact Officer at Benevity

“Unfortunately, a crisis-driven world has become the new normal,” said Sona Khosla, Chief Impact Officer at Benevity. “Support for international and humanitarian crises was profound last year, fueled by natural disasters and a deeply divisive Israel-Hamas war, which displaced the focus on local community support that had been a hallmark of the recent ‘quiet giving’ trend. Benevity is proud to have helped companies around the world leverage technology to rapidly engage employees and customers in giving to trusted organizations that transcend the poles of war and allow people to support people during a difficult time.”

In 2023, Benevity also saw 38% growth in grants processed on its platform, with almost $665 million in grants disbursed to nonprofits around the world. Volunteering continued its upward surge in 2023 with a 57% year over year increase in volunteering participation, showcasing how brands and people are coming together to drive social impact in multiple ways.

About Benevity 
Benevity, a certified B Corporation, is the leader in global corporate purpose software, providing the only integrated suite of community investment and employee, customer and nonprofit engagement solutions. Recognized as one of Fortune’s Impact 20, Benevity offers cloud solutions that power purpose for many iconic brands in ways that better attract, retain and engage today’s diverse workforce, embed social action into their customer experiences and positively impact their communities. With software that is available in 22 languages, Benevity has processed more than $14 billion in donations and 72 million hours of volunteering time to support 450,000 nonprofits worldwide. The company’s solutions have also facilitated 1.1 million micro-actions and awarded 1.2 million grants worth $19 billion. For more information, visit benevity.com.

Media Contact: Zamira Tasneem│ Media & Communications Manager │ 1.416.451.6511 │ press@benevity.com 

Case IH, a brand of CNH, is prioritizing more connectivity in agriculture. Based on the company’s pillars of innovation, sustainability and productivity, it launched AGXTEND, the suite of solutions for digital agriculture that offers its digital, connected and intelligent products and services to all sizes and profiles of producers, at all stages of the crop cycle.

Gregory Riordan, CNH’s Director of Precision Technology in Latin America, explained that AGXTEND represents a new concept in the market by offering, in addition to innovative and ground-breaking technology, new business models for digital agriculture. “It is a solution that encompasses the three concepts: innovation, sustainability and productivity. The portfolio is aimed at those who want access to innovative solutions that deliver economic results in a more sustainable way, through products and services that increase productivity and operational efficiency, regardless of field size or production volume.”

To use the service, the producer does not need to buy the equipment, but can instead subscribe by the hour or by the hectare of use. They can also monitor and manage solutions based on drone images, as well as soil diagnostics. This tech is now available at official Case IH dealers nationwide, along with AFS (Advanced Farming System) solutions.

The development of AGXTEND is a testament CNH’s dedication to making work in the field more efficient– for the future of farming, and for a more sustainable world.

Originally published on bloomberg.com

A shifting narrative

For the last fifty years, the narrative told to high schoolers and college students across America has remained unchanged. “We were telling college-bound students to just get into college and everything is going to be fine,” attests founder and CEO of Basta, Sheila Sarem. However, this simple equation falls short when applied to first-generation college students with limited social capital and access to professional networks. Herein lies the systemic problem that changemakers like Basta and Bloomberg have set their sights on.

Basta’s model is addressing that gap. “A college degree on its own does not necessarily lead to a great first job,” Sarem says. “I thought if we could create a space for employers to actually think about how to hire differently, we could really change the face of workforce leadership.”

From the beginning, Bloomberg has been a foundational partner in achieving this vision, opening pathways for first-generation students of color to join the ranks at Bloomberg and other Top 100 companies. Since 2016, 200+ Bloomberg employees have contributed over 400 volunteer hours and worked with 200 Basta fellows. And perhaps more notably, Bloomberg has hired over 50 Basta fellows into full-time roles across diverse sectors and teams. In honor of National Mentorship Month, we celebrate this long-running partnership by highlighting some of the successes we’ve achieved together.

The path to knowledge

In eight years, Basta’s vision has flourished: 81% of fellows secure full-time jobs with an average salary of $62,700. What’s behind this success? The Basta Fellows themselves, of course, and the extraordinary dedication of partner companies and their employees. “Companies like Bloomberg are a bit of a unicorn,” Sarem attests. “The willingness to think differently about hiring, the willingness to tap multiple channels for great talent.”

When ambition meets innovation, great things happen: enter the Bloomberg Mentorship program. “Every three months, we bring together a set of Bloomberg employees into one-on-one mentoring relationships with Basta fellows,” explains Sarem. Malia Simonds from Bloomberg’s Corporate Philanthropy team, whose belief in the partnership runs deep, is heading up the Bloomberg-Basta partnership. Simonds shares, “Bloomberg is committed to opening doors for students who have traditionally been underrepresented in fields where we have expertise. Those fields include technology, finance, business, and data. When we find a great partner like Basta, we love to support them in multiple ways — bringing together funders, corporations, and alumni of the program. We’ve hired people from Basta who have come through the program and are now mentoring fellows.”

A pay-it-forward mentality is the norm rather than the exception when it comes to the mentorship program. One such Basta alum-turned-Bloomberg mentor is Lynn Fernandez-Ponce, a first-generation student whose parents immigrated from Mexico. Now a Fixed Income Specialist at Bloomberg, she confesses, “As a first-gen student it was very difficult to have an insight on how to set my career forward and plan for it. I was pretty much on my own. And that’s where Basta filled this gap… the partnership between Basta and Bloomberg has really changed my life.”

Takes two

A successful mentorship relies heavily on the experience and empathy of the mentor. Take, for example, Basta mentee/mentor pair Bradley Belliard, Basta Fellow, and his mentor, Mary Abelack, Bloomberg employee and also a first-gen college graduate. “When I initially met Mary, I was definitely nervous and wanted her to see me as someone who took this seriously and was really passionate about what I do,” says Belliard. Well, his hopes were most certainly realized. When speaking about him, Abelack gives glowing reviews: “I was really impressed by how confident he was.”

Successful mentorship is also fundamental to career development. Abelack explains, “I decided to become a mentor because I had also been a first-gen college grad and I feel like the first ten years of my career were not going anywhere. I felt like I could alleviate that for someone.” So, how exactly does a mentor go about helping pave a path for a mentee such as Belliard? To Abelack, that means “giving him access to the network I’ve built here at Bloomberg,” providing a glimpse of the interview process and giving resume feedback tailored to the position he was interviewing for — perfectly embodying Basta’s mission.

The generosity of his mentor has not been lost on Belliard. “Our time together was pretty crucial to my success in the past year or so,” he says. “She gave me the confidence and the knowledge to go out there and get what I want, which was this job.” Regarding networking, Belliard can pencil in at least one first-gen superfan and advocate to his rolodex, Abelack.

Senior level support

Global Head of Bloomberg Marketing & Strategy, Brandon Harris, serves as Bloomberg’s representative on Basta’s board of directors. He is emblematic of what works in this partnership – through his board participation – he keeps one foot firmly planted in each organization and provides unique counsel on how to continue optimizing the partnership. “I decided to join the board of Basta because it really fit all the categories I was looking for in a non-profit board opportunity. The fact that Basta focuses on first-generation students was, I think, the most compelling part for me,” he says. “We take for granted the fact that we have a parent, a sibling, a cousin, a relative that can give us insights. Some people don’t have that… [they] are the very first person to go to college.”

Basta’s shared NYC roots with Bloomberg certainly help. “Basta started in our own backyard,” he adds. “And we’ve been proud to grow with them and grow beyond NYC, giving opportunities to students across the United States.”

Join a community of first-generation college students and receive the support and guidance to land a job in the field of your choice. Click here to learn more about Basta and their fellowship program.

Bloomberg’s Corporate Philanthropy program invests in a global network of nonprofit partners providing education and workforce development opportunities for individuals from historically underserved communities. Learn more about our global efforts to make careers in finance and tech more accessible and inclusive. For more information on Bloomberg careers, click here.

Originally published by ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR

Ensuring that safety remains top of mind for all utility workers is a collaborative effort, said Michael Gremling, senior contractor safety specialist at Atlantic City Electric Co., an electric utility in Mays Landing, N.J.

Although Gremling works in the Atlantic City Electric service area, the utility’s contract safety group is managed from the level of parent company Pepco Holdings, which includes Atlantic City Electric in New Jersey, Delmarva Power in Delaware and parts of Maryland and Pepco in Washington, D.C., and areas in Maryland.

 View original content here.

As part of our commitment to environmental stewardship, social responsibility and meeting our customer needs, Entergy has been a longtime supporter of Ducks Unlimited, one of the world’s largest wetland and waterfowl conservation organizations.

Our Environmental Initiatives Fund provides $1 million shareholder-funded dollars each year for environmental improvement projects. Through this fund, one of the major initiatives we have supported is the USA Rice-Ducks Unlimited Rice Stewardship Partnership. The partnership was formed in 2013 to bring about meaningful and long-term improvements to three of the nation’s critical natural and economic resources: waterfowl, working rice lands and water.

Entergy and the Rice Stewardship Partnership share a common goal: helping agricultural producers with their operations, with an eye toward improving their bottom line while also protecting our natural resources. As the largest electric power production and retail distribution company across the rice-growing regions of the Mississippi Alluvial Valley and Gulf Coast, we are a natural partner for this work.

“Innovative collaborations among companies, governments and conservation organizations show increasing potential to tackle underlying challenges like preserving groundwater, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving wildlife habitat,” said Dr. Scott Manley, director of agriculture support at Ducks Unlimited. “Collaborations with partners like Entergy are essential to meet everybody’s climate and nature goals.”

In 2019, the Environmental Initiatives Fund provided a $250,000 grant to support the Rice Stewardship Partnership’s work to conserve wetlands on agricultural lands. The program’s goal is to improve water and energy use and increase wildlife habitat in rice-growing areas.

We don’t just provide funding, however – we also provide expertise and technical support to rice growers to help them reach their conservation goals.

Since 2006, we have donated nearly $1 million through shareholder-funded grants and more than $8.5 million of in-kind contributions to Ducks Unlimited in support of initiatives across Entergy’s service area. Through our partnership, we are leveraging a variety of resources to support important regional conservation efforts while helping our customers build a more sustainable future.

The Environmental Initiatives Fund was launched in 2001 and has invested nearly $43 million in environmental improvement projects. Learn more about our commitment to the environment at entergy.com/environment.

Paramount’s Season of Giving encourages and engages employees to support local and global causes. Activities and events throughout the end of 2023 featured a mix of virtual, in-person, and DIY offerings all anchored in global priorities. This year amplified the positive impact our united efforts created. 

Why it matters: The 2023 Season of Giving was anchored by the company-wide Day of Gratitude on Dec. 6, which brought employees together both virtually and in-person.

“Season of Giving and Paramount’s Day of Gratitude demonstrated once again our ability to come together, support each other, give back to our communities, and inspire change on a global scale,” says Crystal Barnes, EVP, Paramount Social Impact. “It’s in that spirit of service and gratitude that we look to build upon in 2024.” 

By the numbers: 

Paramount donated over 300 toys, food, and supplies to families in need via YouGiveGoods and 100 gifts to shelters across NYC with local partners, WINHosted in-office volunteer stations during Paramount’s Day of Gratitude, including:400+ art packs for students60 bracelets to support MTV’s A.S.K. mental health campaign70+ letters and cards of support200+ immediate-need kits featuring essential winter items with Kynd Kits. 

The giving spirit continues as Paramount volunteers work with JASA, an agency that provides services which supports older New Yorkers, by launching a Paramount x JASA jewelry collection collaboration. Proceeds directly support their dedicated community members.

This year’s Season of Giving activations also took place internationally at offices in Europe, Australia, Asia, and Latin America. Thank you to Paramount employees who took the time to give back to others! #WeAreParamount

SHANGHAI, January 23, 2024 /3BL/ – Yum China Holdings, Inc. (the “Company” or “Yum China”, NYSE: YUMC and HKEX: 9987) has been named by the Top Employers Institute as a Top Employer China for the sixth consecutive year. Ranked fourth overall among more than 150 companies included in the list, Yum China again placed first in the restaurant industry. This accolade highlights the Company’s outstanding performance in key areas such as People Strategy, Digital HR, Working Environment and Career Development. It also reflects Yum China’s “People First” philosophy and commitment to providing an excellent working environment and experience for its employees.

“To be named a Top Employer China for six consecutive years is a testament to our unwavering commitment to our people,” said Joey Wat, CEO of Yum China. “At the heart of our success lies our ‘Fair, Care, and Pride’ principle, which includes nurturing a vibrant and inclusive culture that supports our team members’ growth and our company’s progress.”

Jerry Ding, Chief People Officer of Yum China, said, “With a diverse team of over 400,000 people, our employees are the cornerstone of the company’s growth and resilience. Our talent strategy, centered on a vision of healthy and sustainable growth, is significantly enhanced by our embrace of technological innovation. This strategy deepens our dedication to employee care, reinforcing Yum China’s position as a leader in the restaurant industry.”

Yum China is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive and non-discriminatory working environment, enabling its people to unleash their potential regardless of their gender or background. By end of 2023, female employees represented more than 50% of the Company’s total workforce. The Company also prides itself on being at the forefront of the industry in ensuring fair and competitive compensation and benefits. This includes providing an equity incentive plan for Restaurant General Managers (RGMs), allowing them to share in the company’s growth and success. Since its inception in 2016, the program has awarded Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) to over 13,000 RGMs. In addition, the Company’s comprehensive “YUMC Care” benefit plan offers tailored benefits according to life stage and individual needs.

Yum China’s suite of learning and development programs actively support the career development and growth of employees. Key initiatives include structured career advancement opportunities for restaurant operations team members and specialized training for marketing and supply chain management trainees. In 2023, the Company launched its “Yum China Bytes & Bites Program” to offer working opportunities to approximately 80 students from leading Chinese universities at Yum China’s Digital Research Centers, integrating cutting-edge technology with practical industry experience. Yum China also provides a supportive and inclusive environment for employees with special needs through its “Angel Restaurants” initiative. As of the end of June 2023, KFC China has 46 “Angel Restaurants” in 42 cities, employing over 200 individuals with special needs.

Embracing new technologies remains a key factor underpinning Yum China’s recognition as a Top Employer China. As a pioneer in digital transformation, the Company has leveraged AI to optimize demand forecasting, inventory management, crew scheduling, and production to empower frontline managers, while helping to promote more sustainable business growth.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including statements regarding the Company’s business strategy and capital allocation strategy. We intend all forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and by the use of forward-looking words such as “goal,” “expect,” “expectation,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “may,” “could,” “intend,” “belief,” “plan,” “estimate,” “target,” “predict,” “project,” “likely,” “will,” “continue,” “should” or similar terminology. These statements are based on current estimates and assumptions made by us in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that we believe are appropriate and reasonable under the circumstances, but there can be no assurance that such estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance and are inherently subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and could cause our actual results or events to differ materially from those indicated by those statements. We cannot assure you that any of our expectations, estimates or assumptions will be achieved. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are only made as of the date of this press release, and we disclaim any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except as required by law. Numerous factors could cause our actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward- looking statements. In addition, other risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial could affect the accuracy of any such forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements should be evaluated with the understanding of their inherent uncertainty. You should consult our filings with the SEC (including the information set forth under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q) for additional detail about factors that could affect our financial and other results.

About Yum China Holdings, Inc.

Yum China is the largest restaurant company in China with a mission to make every life taste beautiful. The Company has over 400,000 employees and operates over 14,000 restaurants under six brands across 1,900 cities in China. KFC and Pizza Hut are the leading brands in the quick-service and casual dining restaurant spaces in China, respectively. Taco Bell offers innovative Mexican-inspired food. Yum China has also partnered with Lavazza to develop the Lavazza coffee concept in China. Little Sheep and Huang Ji Huang specialize in Chinese cuisine. Yum China has a world-class, digitalized supply chain which includes an extensive network of logistics centers nationwide and an in-house supply chain management system. Its strong digital capabilities and loyalty program enable the Company to reach customers faster and serve them better. Yum China is a Fortune 500 company with the vision to be the world’s most innovative pioneer in the restaurant industry. For more information, please visit http://ir.yumchina.com.

Investor Relations Contact:

Tel: +86 21 2407 7556 /+852 2267 5801

IR@YumChina.com

Media Contact:

Tel: +86 21 2407 7510

Media@YumChina.com

Originally published in Leidos Sustainability Report

At Leidos, our dedication extends to all those we serve – our employees, our customers, our supplier partners, our communities, and our shareholders. This dedication, coupled with our unwavering sense of purpose, empowers us to establish profound connections with our customers. It also equips us to adeptly address evolving demands for heightened sustainability disclosures and transparency across our operations. Next Level Leidos (NLL) encompasses our environmental, social, and governance (ESG) objectives for 2030. Aimed at positively impacting people and the planet,
we focus on three key areas:

Cultivating Inclusion: Building a strong business foundation that welcomes all perspectives and provides equitable access and resources for everyoneAdvancing Environmental Sustainability: Implementing sustainable solutions to reduce the company’s environmental footprintPromoting Healthier Lives: Investing in initiatives and resources that promote the health and well-being of employees and communities

CULTIVATING INCLUSION

We’ve devoted substantial resources to educate our leaders and employees about workplace practices concerning diversity, equity, and inclusion. In 2022, 100% of our employees completed Inclusion Acumen 2.0 training, and more than 2,500 people leaders completed the Inclusive Leader Learning Program (ILLP). ILLP equips managers to lead inclusively by creating and fostering environments in which inclusion and diversity are welcomed and leveraged with intention.Leidos hired 2,260 veterans and military spouses in 2022 and continued to be honored with numerous awards and rankings such as Forbes’ America’s Best Employers for Veterans and Military.com’s Top 25 Veteran Employers.Cultivating a workplace that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion hinges on transparency. During 2022, we witnessed a 1% increase in the representation of female employees globally, while concurrently achieving a 2% enhancement in the diversity of our United States (U.S.) – based workforce.Leidos awarded more than $1.9 billion in contracts to small businesses across our federal programs. Our Small Business Supplier Diversity Program (SBSDP) tracks and monitors these awards. Moreover, the SBSDP partners with business development, procurement, and operations to maximize the use of small and diverse suppliers that provide products and services vital to the successful execution of our customer commitments.Our efforts in diversity, equity, and inclusion contributed to Leidos achieving numerous best-in-class rankings, including the Drucker Institute’s list of the 250 Best Managed Companies, Newsweek’s Greatest Places to Work for Diversity, Fortune’s Most Admired Companies, Forbes’ Best Employers for New Grads, and Ethisphere’s Most Ethical Companies List for the sixth consecutive year.

ADVANCING ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

For the third year in a row, Leidos earned a “B” score from CDP for our commitment to transparency and governance around climate change, ranking above the sector (IT and software development) average and exceeding the North American regional average.We achieved a 7.5% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions in 2022, compared to the 2021 baseline, and increased our renewable electricity utilization from 5.0% in 2021 to more than 8% in 2022.With more than 50 years of environment, energy, and critical infrastructure experience, one of every four Fortune 500® companies is a valued Leidos client. In 2022, we managed $1.48 billion of support to clients across our environmental and energy markets, including nine federal agencies and all five U.S. military branches.Between 2001 and 2022, Leidos provided more than $1.5 billion in energy efficiency savings to industry.Working with our partners, we diverted 194.7 tons of workplace furniture, fixtures, and equipment from landfills and diverted 283,104 pounds of electronics waste from landfills.

PROMOTING HEALTHIER LIVES

Leidos debuted on the inaugural U.S. News Best Companies to Work For list, earning especially high marks on work-life balance.We are deeply committed to improving the lives of our employees and their families. In 2022, we invested more than $3 million in programs and initiatives that enhance and support our employees’ mental and physical well-being.We introduced an upgraded maternity care initiative aimed at bolstering the physical welfare of our mothers and their infants and made substantial enhancements to our assistance for Leidos families by extending the duration of our paid parental leave offering to 4 weeks. This program is for any staff member—of any gender—who wishes to bond with a new eligible dependent.Leidos is a leader in the field of environmental health and safety (EH&S) and places a strong emphasis on EH&S activities both internally and on behalf of our clients. Over the past 5 years, we have achieved injury and illness rates well below the industry average. We have received 55 National Safety Council Awards in the past ten years.We donated approximately $5 million to charitable partners, and our employees contributed approximately 90,000 volunteer hours to a wide variety of company-sponsored and personal causes, including science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education; basic needs and wellness; ethics and leadership; and support to our military and intelligence personnel and their families.

We are proud of these programs and the initiatives taken in 2022 to support our employees, the planet, our customers, and our communities.

Read the full report here

CLEVELAND, January 23, 2024 /3BL/ — The KeyBank 2024 Financial Mobility Survey finds that a resounding 66% of Americans would rather work a job they love with a lower paying salary than work a job they hate with a higher paying salary (34%). Simultaneously, a quarter of Americans say they’re spending more and saving less, up from years prior (15% in 2022 and 13% in 2021), and 60% believe we are in or will soon be in a recession—pointing to an environment in which Americans are prioritizing happiness while bracing for economic challenges.

In fact, nearly one third (30%) of survey respondents say they feel daily financial stress related to the cost of living in America, and more than half (59%) are cutting back on nonessential items due to the increasing cost of living. To add, more people would rather share their recent Google search history (57%) than their monthly credit card statement (43%). Still, when asked what ‘Thriving in America’ means to them, 42% chose work life balance.

The survey polled more than 1,000 Americans on their financial, life and work-related priorities and outlook after a year of market volatility and uncertainty. To learn more about the survey’s findings, review the KeyBank 2024 Financial Mobility Survey Executive Summary here.

“We all want to feel fulfilled, and our survey shows that Americans are prioritizing their happiness and personal life over money—but facing inflation, societal shifts and economic uncertainty, many remain concerned about their financial futures,” said Daniel Brown, EVP & Director, Consumer Product Management at KeyBank. “As the everyday cost of living increases, many of us will have to make critical lifestyle and financial decisions in the year ahead for not only ourselves, but also our households—balancing our lives outside of work with our financial needs and habits for the long term.”

As Americans focus on their personal well-being, many are in favor of a “soft-life culture” that defines success based on happiness, contentment, and fulfillment vs. “hustle culture,” which defines success based on wealth, status, and achievement (36% and 28% respectively). Yet, 56% of Gen Z respondents say they currently identify most with a hustle culture—highlighting a generational gap in experiences and priorities.

Highlights include:

Work-life balance is increasingly important. Continuing a trend seen year over year, more Americans say they value work-life balance (63%) over a high-paying salary (27%), compared to 57% and 33% respectively in 2022.Half (51%) of Americans have pulled more money from their savings this year than before. More than three in four (77%) of respondents across all generations believe the cost of living in America has gotten worse, with Boomers leading that feeling (92%).Millennials and Gen Xers are more likely to anticipate a recession in 2024. Of respondents that expect to be in a recession in the next 12 months, more than half (57%) are Millennials or Gen X.Women (35%) are more likely than men (24%) to feel financial stress related to the cost of living in American on a daily basis.Americans are making financial changes to achieve the dream of homeownership. Of those who are in the market for a home, the top step taken to save money for a home is to put away money in a dedicated savings account (43%). Still, 29% of Americans do not own a home and do not plan on purchasing one in the next 12 months. Of those respondents, only 1 in 10 indicate that home ownership is very attainable.

As Americans increasingly aim to strike a balance between professional success, personal fulfillment, and overall financial well-being, KeyBank is here to support them on their journeys. Consumers can access online resources designed to enhance financial confidence and savvy, from the Financial Wellness Center’s Banking 101 curriculum, to the option to schedule a Financial Wellness Review to better understand your financial situation and chart the best path forward.

Methodology

This survey was conducted online by Schmidt Market Research. 1,000 Americans, ages 18-70, with sole or shared responsibility for household financial decisions, who own a checking or savings account, completed the survey in September 2023. The survey asked respondents about their financial attitudes, understanding, awareness and actions over the prior year.

About KeyCorp

KeyCorp’s (NYSE: KEY) roots trace back nearly 200 years to Albany, New York. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $188 billion at December 31, 2023.

Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and approximately 1,200 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/. KeyBank is Member FDIC.

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