Covestro named among “2023 Best Places to Work for People with Disabilities”
Covestro earned a top score of 100 on the Disability Equality Index, improving on its score of 90 in 2022
Covestro LLC, a leading producer of high-performance polymers in North America, announced its designation as a Top Scorer in the 2023 Disability Equality Index® (DEI), with a maximum score of 100. This recognition by the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and Disability:IN marks Covestro’s third consecutive designation as a Best Places to Work for People with Disabilities.
The DEI measures a wide range of criteria within six categories related to disability equality, including culture and leadership, employment practices, community engagement, enterprise-wide-access and supplier diversity. Previously, Covestro achieved maximum scores in each category, with the exception of enterprise-wide-access. In 2023, the company achieved a maximum score in that category as well.
Work to improve the score began with the company’s CARE (Covestro Accessibility Resource Effort) employee resource group. The CARE team, co-led by Jennifer Pannill and Nikki Stewart, aims to foster an environment that supports employees that have a disability, identify as neurodiverse or who are a caregiver for someone with a disability or special needs. The group’s goal is to raise awareness about disabilities – both visible and non-apparent – while also highlighting the unique abilities that people with disabilities possess.
“The Disability Equality Index indicates that we are evolving in the right direction and I’m delighted to see our progress acknowledged,” said Jennifer Pannill, head of Talent Acquisition and Employer Branding. “With partnership and support from our IT and training teams, we improved our score in enterprise-wide-access and positively impacted our employees.”
“We are honored to receive a score of 100 on the Disability Equality Index,” said Nikki Stewart, lead, HR Practices and Employee Investigations. “We recognize, though, that there is always more that can be done to support our employees, and perspective employees, whether it be education and awareness, increasing allyship or changing corporate policies. We look forward to continuing the great work Covestro is doing around disability inclusion.”
About Covestro:
Covestro is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of high-quality polymer materials and their components. With its innovative products, processes and methods, the company helps enhance sustainability and the quality of life in many areas. Covestro supplies customers around the world in key industries such as mobility, building and living, as well as the electrical and electronics sector. In addition, polymers from Covestro are also used in sectors such as sports and leisure, cosmetics and health, as well as in the chemical industry itself.
The company is committed to becoming fully circular and is striving to become climate neutral by 2035 (scope 1 and 2). Covestro generated sales of EUR 18 billion in fiscal 2022. At the end of 2022, the company had 50 production sites worldwide and employed approximately 18,000 people (calculated as full-time equivalents).
About the Disability Equality Index®:
The Disability Equality Index (DEI) is a comprehensive benchmarking tool that helps companies build a roadmap of measurable, tangible actions that they can take to achieve disability inclusion and equality. Each company receives a score, on a scale of zero (0) to 100, with those earning 80 and above recognized as a “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion.”
The DEI is a joint initiative of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the nation’s largest disability rights organization, and Disability:IN, the global business disability inclusion network, to collectively advance the inclusion of people with disabilities. The organizations are complementary and bring unique strengths that make the project relevant and credible to corporations and the disability community. The tool was developed by the DEI Advisory Committee, a diverse group of business leaders, policy experts, and disability advocates. Learn more at: www.DisabilityEqualityIndex.org.
About the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD):
AAPD is a convener, connector, and catalyst for change, increasing the political and economic power for people with disabilities. As a national cross-disability rights organization AAPD advocates for full civil rights for the 60+ million Americans with disabilities. Learn more at: www.aapd.com.
About Disability:IN®:
Disability:IN is a global organization driving disability inclusion and equality in business. More than 500 corporations partner with Disability:IN to create long-term business and social impact through the world’s most comprehensive disability inclusion benchmarking and reporting tool, the Disability Equality Index (DEI); best-in-class conferences and programs; expert counsel and engagement; and public policy leadership. Join us at disabilityin.org/AreYouIN.
Find more information at www.covestro.us
Forward looking statements
This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Covestro AG. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Covestro’s public reports which are available at www.covestro.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.