On Women’s Equality Day, Staples Shows Commitment to Ending Gender Wage Gap
August 26 2016 - 10:15AM
Business Wire
Joining “Employers for Pay Equity”
Consortium Latest in Series of Steps Aimed at Advancing Women in
the Work Place
In honor of Women’s Equality Day, commemorating the 19th
Amendment granting women the right to vote, Staples (NASDAQ: SPLS)
is showing its committed to doing its part to end the gender wage
gap and advancing women in the workplace by becoming the biggest
retailer to join a consortium of companies that will share best
practices and promote new ideas called the Employers for Pay
Equity.
Earlier this year, Staples became one of the first companies to
sign the Equal Pay Pledge initiated by the White House and the
Obama Administration and participated in three events aimed at
gender pay equity and leveling the playing field for women: a pay
equity roundtable, a White House briefing on diversity in the
corporate sector, and The United State of Women Summit. Out of
these events, the Employers for Pay Equity consortium was born. The
group is comprised of companies that understand the importance of
diversity and inclusion, including ensuring that all individuals
are compensated equitably for equal work and experience and have an
equal opportunity to contribute and advance in the workplace.
For a list of companies already participating and for
corporations who would like to learn how to join the consortium
please visit www.employersforpayequity.com.
Beginning in September, Staples recruiters will eliminate salary
inquiries during the interview process. This specific tactic aimed
at ending the wage gap will become mandatory in Massachusetts in
2018, after Governor Charlie Baker recently signed into law “An Act
to Establish Pay Equity”, to ensure equal pay for comparable work
for all Massachusetts workers and equal opportunities to earn
competitive salaries in the workplace.
“Staples promotes equality among its associates because we
understand the value of an inclusive and diverse workforce, and
we’re joining with other companies to not only spread this message,
but raise awareness of the gender pay gap that still exists,” said
Regis Mulot, executive vice president, human resources, Staples,
Inc. “By changing the way we recruit talent to mitigate gender bias
two years before it will be necessary by law, we’re showing that we
realize change is needed now, and we’re committed to helping make
it happen.”
Previously, Staples announced that it signed onto the 100%
Talent – The Boston Women’s Compact, an innovative effort to end
the gender-based wage gap and advance women in the workforce. The
Compact is an initiative of the Boston Women’s Workforce Council,
an advisory board to Mayor Marty Walsh and is supported by the
School of Management at Simmons College. Signatories agree to take
steps to eliminate the gender wage gap and remove the visible and
invisible barriers to women’s advancement. Signatories agree to
report associate demographic and salary data to the Council
anonymously every two years so that progress on closing the gap can
be checked.
The company has also signed on to The Corporate Challenge, a
groundbreaking effort by Bentley University's Center for Women and
Business to challenge companies to develop and retain their female
talent and position women on their boards. Participating companies
commit to define their gender-inclusiveness goals, develop
strategies to meet those goals and track their progress.
Staples has long been a leader in equality in the workforce,
with programs like its “Women Who Lead” Associate Resource Group,
whose mission is to build a thriving community of female
associates. The group routinely engages its members with
developmental, networking and community focused events.
About Staples, Inc.Staples
retail stores and Staples.com help small business customers make
more happen by providing a broad assortment of products, expanded
business services and easy ways to shop, all backed with a lowest
price guarantee. Staples offers businesses the convenience to shop
and buy how and when they want - in store, online, via mobile or
though social apps. Staples.com customers can either buy online and
pick-up in store or ship for free from Staples.com with Staples
Rewards minimum purchase. Expanded services also make it easy for
businesses to succeed with in-store Business Centers featuring
shipping services and products, copying, scanning, faxing and
computer work stations, Tech Services, full-service Print &
Marketing Services, Staples Merchant Services, small business
lending and credit services.
Staples Business Advantage, the business-to-business division of
Staples, Inc., helps mid-market, commercial and enterprise-sized
customers make more happen by offering a curated assortment of
products and services combined with deep expertise, best-in-class
customer service, competitive pricing and state-of-the
art-ecommerce site. Staples Business Advantage is the one-source
solution for all things businesses need to succeed, including
office supplies, facilities cleaning and maintenance, breakroom
snacks and beverages, technology, furniture, interior design and
Print & Marketing Services. Headquartered outside of Boston,
Staples, Inc. operates throughout North and South America, Europe,
Asia, Australia and New Zealand. More information about Staples
(NASDAQ: SPLS) is available at www.staples.com.
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Staples, Inc.Mark Cautela,
508-253-3832Mark.Cautela@Staples.com
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