L’Oréal USA Earns Perfect Score on 2021 Disability Equality Index

For the fourth year in a row, L’Oréal USA has earned a perfect score of 100 on the 2021 Disability Equality Index (DEI), a unique joint initiative between Disability:IN and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD).
 
“At L’Oréal USA, we have a responsibility to create an inclusive and accessible work environment where individuals with disabilities feel supported and positioned for success. As a business leader with my own disabilities, I appreciate the encouragement to generate an open dialogue across the business and ensure we are always working to foster an inclusive workplace culture among our employees,” said Angela Guy, chief diversity & inclusion officer, L’Oréal USA.
 
About the Index
 
Launched in 2015, this evolving index objectively scores each corporation on a scale from 0 to 100, with a score of 100 representing the most inclusive. The DEI was developed collaboratively by Disability:IN and the AAPD in consultation with the appointed DEI Advisory Committee, and a diverse and voluntary group of experts in business, policy and disability advocacy.
 
In 2021, 319 corporations utilized the Disability Equality Index (DEI) to benchmark their efforts. Participants were evaluated in the following categories: Culture & Leadership; Enterprise-Wide Access; Employment Practices (Benefits, Recruitment, Employment, Education, Retention & Advancement, Accommodations); Community Engagement; Supplier Diversity; and Non-U.S. Operations.
 
This year, following the global pandemic, the DEI was modernized to add non-weighted questions about innovative technology to advance digital and remote accessibility; mental wellness benefits; services for Deaf and hard of hearing employees, and flexible work options.
 
“The Disability Equality Index shines a spotlight on companies that believe they have a stake in creating a more equitable society for people with disabilities,” said Maria Town, President and CEO of AAPD. “It is a conduit for our work championing disability rights for the 60 million Americans with disabilities and knocking down barriers to employment, technology and healthcare, and we're thrilled to see the progress being made today.”
 
L’Oréal USA is dedicated to creating an inclusive workplace and has developed various initiatives to support its disabled employees. Through the creation of its DiversABILITY Think Tank, the employee-led resource group is dedicated to raising awareness, supporting the recruitment, advancement and retention of people with disabilities while also encouraging the importance of mental health in the workplace. The Diversity & Inclusion team has also launched an initiative, Break the Silence, which aids to foster a more accepting and psychologically safe environment for employees to feel encouraged and supported in disclosing disabilities.