Act With Certainty EDELMAN FY18 CITIZENSHIP REPORT
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Act With Certainty EDELMAN FY18 CITIZENSHIP REPORT
A Letter from from Richard Our Clients As Edelman travels along its global citizenship journey, we grow bolder in
Page 3 Page 11 the confidence and conviction to achieve ever more ambitious objectives.
Act with Certainty is our mantra.
A Letter from John Our People This is possible because our global citizenship journey since 2010 has followed an
Page 4 Page 17 evolutionary rather than revolutionary path – and we’re still on our travels. We grasp
that leaders take risks, learn from their mistakes and use them to take bolder steps
FY18 Highlights Our Communities by identifying and pursuing the right policies, programs and procedures. We gain
Page 23 executive committee approval, develop robust policies and increasingly set specific
Page 5
goals. This approach is critical in a global organization with more than five dozen
offices – from Brussels to Buenos Aires, Jakarta to Johannesburg and Singapore to
Our World San Francisco.
The 10 Citizenship Goals Page 33
Page 6 Along the way, our nearly 6,000 employees increasingly relay their belief in and
support of our citizenship initiatives. Eighty-five percent believe global citizenship
About this Report
is an important part of working at Edelman. Buoyed by such support, we seek to
Page 41
Updated Citizenship Goals establish intrepid short- and long-term goals that we outline and update in this
Page 8 report. They encompass diversity and inclusion, sustainability, procurement and
GRI Content Index waste reduction, among other areas, and they follow the United Nations Sustainable
Page 42 Development Goals.
Update on SDG Alignment
Page 9 We don’t always reach our objectives. Still, acting with certainty becomes increas-
Appendices ingly essential, as employees and global consumers demand that in these uncertain
Page 52 times – as our respected annual Trust Barometer illuminates – organizations and
their leaders take charge and make clear they need a partner who tells it like it is,
cuts through the chaos and envisions the future.
We hope in reviewing our fiscal 2018 citizenship report, you will conclude that what
we’re doing in pursuit of corporate responsibility exemplifies leadership and
underscores that the goals we set are only as powerful as the change we make.
And, remember, our citizenship journey continues. Steadily and with certainty.
2 ACT WITH CERTAINTY | EDELMAN FY18 CITIZENSHIP REPORT
A Letter from Richard
We know from our own research At Edelman, citizenship has always been I am also particularly pleased by our assis- My brother John Edelman, who oversees our
that companies and brands central to who we are as a company. As a tance to organizations outside of Edelman global citizenship work, is actively involved in
family-owned firm, we have believed from our and the professional services sector with their
must take action on issues that initiatives related to veterans, mental health
founding in the value of being active and citizenship-related challenges. For example, and development of a sustainability standard
matter to their customers, not just
engaged members of our local and global I serve as a commissioner of the Business & for the professional services sector. And our
communicate or advertise services
communities and ensuring our footprint Sustainable Development Commission helping employees around the world spent almost
or products. We also know people align companies with the United Nations’
reflects our values. 20,000 hours on pro bono and volunteerism
have new expectations for the Sustainable Development Goals, and as a work last year.
roles companies and brands play This 2018 report highlights some of our member of the year-old Knight Founda-
in their lives and in society’s future. initiatives on important global economic, tion-funded commission addressing the It is not always easy to do the right thing, but
environmental and societal issues. Top of mind problem of fake news and the declining trust we work hard at it day after day and year
for Edelman is diversity and inclusion because in media institutions. after year.
we know we consistently deliver better work
for our clients when our teams reflect our Edelman’s global program to help employees As we forge ahead on our citizenship journey,
communities. In the United States we have quit smoking has long been in place as has our we are equally energized by the ideal and
set a racial and ethnic workforce goal of 30 stand on climate change. I am equally proud proud of the practical.
percent to reach by 2022 to reflect the diversity we put our money where our mouth is and
of our communities, and we expect to reach awarded over $100,000 in community grants in
our objective of filling at least half of our 2018 to local organizations and charities where
leadership positions with women by 2020. our employees are active as volunteers.
RICHARD EDELMAN
President and CEO
“Edelman has been a participant in the United
Nations Global Compact since March 2001. I am
proud to pledge Edelman’s continued support to
the Global Compact and its goals.”
3 ACT WITH CERTAINTY | EDELMAN FY18 CITIZENSHIP REPORT
A Letter from John
At a conference not long after However, based on our own experience, I We succeed best when we embed citizenship
assuming leadership of our global can now state with certainty that integrating in everything we do, and it operates seamlessly
citizenship into a company culture is a step- as part of our culture. We are doing that by
citizenship efforts eight years ago,
by-step process. Attaining real, measurable integrating citizenship initiatives into our global
I asked how long it should take to
achievements in what is a complex, complicated strategy and impacting how Edelman operates.
embed a strong program of social
journey requires an evolutionary, not revolu- We hope sharing the story about how we came
and environmental purpose. The tionary, approach. It entails setting objectives; to Act with Certainty will now inspire others that
response: five to seven years. putting policies, structures and measurements are starting their own citizenship journey.
Self-confident, I responded, “We in place; often launching pilot programs before
can do it in one to two years.” going global, gaining buy-in from employees
Besides, for decades we have and senior leadership; assessing progress and
valued conducting ourselves in an if goals are met, setting new targets. Our time-
ethical, sustainable, inclusive and line below illustrates this incremental process. JOHN EDELMAN • Named ‘Top Company for
transparent manner. Managing Director, Global Engagement and Executive Women’
Corporate Responsibility
• Purchased Renewable Energy
Credits for all U.S. operations
• Introduced Ruth • Achieved Ecovadis Gold rating
• Introduced Edelman Citizenship
Citizenship Scores Award • Surpassed $1 million in
(C-scores) Community Investment Grants
• Carbon Trust
• Creation of Global • Developed overall • Achieved Ecovadis Standard certified • Launched pro bono and
Citizenship function sustainability goals Silver rating worldwide volunteerism software
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
• First Annual GRI report • Increased pro • Submitted first • Introduced updated
bono/volunteerism CDP response Citizenship goals
• Introduced Community to 8hrs/FTE
Investment Grants • Tracking sustainable procurement
• Started tracking and • Alignment with UN Sustainable
reporting our global Development Goals
GHG data
• Named ‘Best Place to Work for
LGBTQ Equality’
4 ACT WITH CERTAINTY | EDELMAN FY18 CITIZENSHIP REPORT
FY18 Highlights OUR CLIENTS OUR PEOPLE
• Received EcoVadis Gold rating, placing Edelman among • Introduced diversity and inclusion trainings
the top 5% of evaluated companies
• Named ‘Best place to work for LGBTQ equality’
• Launched privacy and data protection trainings
• Named ‘Top Company for Executive Women’
• Increase to 48% women in senior leadership positions
SDGs:
• 105,000+ hours of training
* • 30 Edelman Escape winners
• Completed global gender pay analysis
OUR COMMUNITIES SDGs:
• 50 Community Investment Grant winners
• Surpassed $1 million in total grants since program
inception in 2011
• Launched global volunteer tracking software
OUR WORLD
• $3 million in total giving (time and cash donations)
• Carbon Trust Standard recertification
• Nearly 20,000 hours community engagement
• 2% absolute carbon emissions reduction
SDGs: • Renewable Energy Credits for 100% of U.S. operations
• Updated Environmental policy
SDGs:
6.4 Citizenship Score
*Top three priority goals guiding our community engagement, as voted on by employees
5 ACT WITH CERTAINTY | EDELMAN FY18 CITIZENSHIP REPORT
The 10 Citizenship Goals
In 2017, the Edelman Executive
GOALS STATUS UPDATE
Committee approved 10 specific
Citizenship goals, covering 1. Carbon Footprint: Edelman aims to realize a 10 percent In progress We added 5 new offices to our 2018 Carbon Trust
environmental, economic and decrease in carbon intensity emissions (tCO2e/FTE) in Certification cycle to reach the 70 percent emissions
social areas. The goals were our 15 Carbon Trust-certified offices by 2020 (scope 1 + verification threshold.
developed to embed sustainability 2 emissions, compared to 2016 levels).
in everything we do, and to hold
ourselves accountable to keep 2. Carbon Footprint: Edelman commits to neutralize 100 Completed Edelman purchased 5,747 MWh of renewable energy
percent of its U.S. operations’ scope 2 emissions by credits sourced from the United States by Renewable
taking steps forward.
purchasing Renewable Energy Credits (REC) for all U.S. Choice Energy.
offices in FY18.
3. Carbon Footprint: Edelman aims to maintain our Completed Edelman successfully recertified in June 2018, based on a
Carbon Trust Certification worldwide by applying for 6.4 percent absolute reduction in the compliance period of
recertification in FY18. Jan. 1, 2016 to Dec. 31, 2017.
4. Business Ethics: Edelman seeks to align its business In progress To date, we have applied the UNSDGs in our reporting,
practices and corporate social responsibility program to pro bono & volunteerism policy, Ruth Edelman Citizenship
the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in Award and Community Investment Grant program.
FY18.
5. Responsible Procurement: Edelman will measure In progress In partnership with Ecovadis, we reached out to 68
designated key business partners’ compliance with suppliers in the U.S., Europe and China.
its sustainable procurement policy, using leading
independent third-party supply chain accountability and
transparency platforms, starting in FY18.
6. Responsible Procurement: Edelman seeks to measure, In progress We are in the process of beginning a vendor management
evaluate, and improve its spend with diverse suppliers system that lets us identify and track our diversity
in the U.S. in FY18, including Minority-, Women-, spending and search for diverse business suppliers.
LGBTQ- and Veteran-owned businesses as well as Small
Disadvantaged and HUBZone businesses.
6 ACT WITH CERTAINTY | EDELMAN FY18 CITIZENSHIP REPORT
The 10 Citizenship Goals , continued
GOALS STATUS UPDATE
7. Learning & Development Edelman is adding additional In progress We launched new employee trainings and workshops
training modules, policies and investment in the Edelman focused on Diversity & Inclusion and Information Security
Learning Institute to communicate with our employees Awareness.
on such relevant corporate social responsibility topics
as sustainable procurement, diversity & inclusion and We aim to implement Citizenship-specific modules for new
workplace behavior, among other topics. employee trainings in FY19
8. Diversity & Inclusion Edelman’s goal is that by 2020, In progress As of June 30, 2018, 47.8 percent of senior leadership
women will hold 50 percent of senior leadership positions are held by women, up from 41 percent in 2017.
positions (level 5+) globally.
9. Pro Bono: Edelman aims to deliver 50 percent of its pro Initiated We launched global volunteer tracking software to help
bono hours against three UN Sustainable Development measure our progress against these priority SDGs.
Goals as identified by our employees: Gender Equality,
Quality Education and Zero Hunger, starting in FY18.
10. Health & Well-Being Edelman will invest in a global In progress We added two specific Health & Well-being targets to our
culture of health & well-being intended to provide global Citizenship C-score key performance indicators.
employees in all locations with access to a structured
(local or regional) health & well-being program,
supported by ongoing local initiatives.
7 ACT WITH CERTAINTY | EDELMAN FY18 CITIZENSHIP REPORT
Updated Citizenship Goals
Over the past year, we made significant progress
on most goals with some of them fully realized. SOCIAL
Therefore, we are updating the goals to better
reflect our enhanced ambition for the future. We 8. Learning & Development: Edelman seeks
also added two new goals to drive change in all to add additional training modules in the
the areas where we have an impact. Edelman Learning Institute (ELI) by 2020
ECONOMIC on relevant corporate social responsibility
topics, such as sustainable procurement,
4. Business Ethics: Edelman seeks to align diversity and inclusion, UN Sustainable
its business practices and Citizenship Development Goals and IT security.
program to the United Nations Sustainable
Development Goals (SDG) and present a 9. Diversity & Inclusion: Edelman’s goal is
‘2030 SDG strategy’ by 2020. that by 2020, women will hold 50 percent of
local senior leadership positions (level 5+)
5. Responsible Procurement: globally.
ENVIRONMENT Edelman aims to streamline its
sustainable procurement processes and 10. Diversity & Inclusion: Edelman’s goal is to
1. Carbon footprint: Edelman aims to realize maximize its spend, by reach a racially/ethnically workplace diver-
a 10 percent decrease (scope 1 + 2 emis- implementing vendor management systems sity ratio of 30 percent in the U.S. by 2022.
sions, compared to 2016 levels) in carbon and annually reviewing its sustainable
intensity emissions (tCO2e/FTE) in our 20 procurement policies. 11. Pro Bono: Edelman aims by 2020 to deliver
Carbon Trust certified offices and achieve 50 percent of its pro bono hours against the
recertification by 2020 6. Responsible Procurement: By 2020, Edel- three UN Sustainable Development Goals
man will measure as identified by our employees: Gender
2. Carbon footprint: Edelman commits to designated key business partners Equality, Quality Education, and Zero Hun-
source 100% renewable electricity through in priority procurement categories ger.
Energy Attribute Certificates for all U.S. and on their compliance with our
EMEA offices by 2020. sustainable procurement policy. 12. Health & Well-Being: Edelman will develop
a dedicated working group to elevate
3. Waste Management: Edelman commits to 7. Responsible Procurement: employee health & well-being programs. By
realizing a 50 percent diversion rate in all Edelman seeks to realize a 10 percent or 2020, we will deliver awareness programs
HUB-offices by 2020 and all global offices more spend with diverse suppliers in and training modules to support these
by 2025. priority categories in the U.S. efforts.
8 ACT WITH CERTAINTY | EDELMAN FY18 CITIZENSHIP REPORT
Update on SDG Alignment
On September 25, 2015, world For the goals to be reached, everyone must do Additionally, our Community Investment Grant
leaders adopted a set of goals to their part: governments, the private sector, civil applications and Ruth Edelman Citizenship
society and citizens. Edelman recognizes it has Award submissions consider these three
end poverty, protect the planet and
its own role to play in reaching the goals. categories priorities.
ensure prosperity for all as part of
a new sustainable development To maximize our impact, we follow guidelines Now that we have started conducting
agenda for 2030. On January 1, as defined by the Global Reporting Initiative principled prioritization of SDG targets and
2016, the 17 Sustainable Develop- (GRI), UN Global Compact and the World defined SDG-related report content (as defined
ment Goals (SDGs) officially went Business Council for Sustainable Development. in ‘Guidelines for Business Reporting on the
into effect, mobilizing efforts to Last year, as a first step, we mapped where we SDGs’), the next phase will focus on setting
end all forms of poverty, fighting already have an impact (see “SDG Alignment” business objectives and strategies. This
inequalities and tackling climate grid) and defined priorities for our pro bono will help us define business objectives to
projects. Because these projects come to life contribute to the SDGs in addition to the pro
change, while ensuring that no
through the enthusiasm and skills of our em- bono and corporate giving priorities. The
one is left behind.
ployees, we asked our global staff which goals newly defined goals (see overview on page 8)
they would like as priorities. As a result, we shows how our business goals align with the
focus our pro bono efforts on Gender Equality, U.N. SDGs.
Quality Education and Zero Hunger.
Our goal is to present 2030 goals by 2020, elevate our
efforts, maximize positive outcomes and support
systemic and durable change.
9 ACT WITH CERTAINTY | EDELMAN FY18 CITIZENSHIP REPORT
Aligning Citizenship with UN Sustainable Development Goals
The graph below shows how Edelman’s material Citizenship topics (covered in this report) impact the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
UN
SDG
MATERIAL
TOPIC
OUR CLIENTS
Business Ethics &
Compliance l l
Data Privacy &
Information Security l
OUR PEOPLE
Employee Health &
Well-Being l l l l l l
Diversity & Inclusion l l l l l
Learning &
Development l l l
OUR COMMUNITIES
Pro Bono Initiatives l l l
General
Volunteerism
Corporate Giving
OUR WORLD
Sustainable
Purchasing l l l l l
Supplier Diversity l l l l l l
Green Office
Policies l l l l l l l l l
Carbon Footprint l l l l l l
10 ACT WITH CERTAINTY | EDELMAN FY18 CITIZENSHIP REPORTOur Clients ACTING WITH CERTAINTY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR CLIENTS Increasingly, we assist clients with their purpose-driven campaigns, aided by our own leadership on varied citizenship-related fronts. This is a key principle of acting with certainty because to best advise and assist our clients, we must be at the forefront ourselves on important issues of social responsibility – from diversity and inclusion and gender equality to environmental stewardship and information privacy and security. 11
Acting with Certainty in Partnership with Our Clients
research underlines the need for businesses 2018 Trust Barometer
and brands to take strong positions on social,
64%
economic and environmental issues, and for
CEOs to be a driver for change and not wait
for government.
of global respondents
The 2018 Trust Barometer findings reveal a
believe a company can
take actions that both
significant change in the ecosystem of trust, as
increase profits and improve
confidence in CEOs who speak out on issues
economic and social
and trust in experts, improved significantly, while
conditions in the community
trust in peers declined substantially. where it operates
CLIENT WORK
Global clients, both new and old, increasingly
engage Edelman to advise them on and help
plan, develop and execute cause-related initia-
tives. Often, they seek our assistance because
they know of pro bono projects and campaigns
For our clients and many others, 2018 EDELMAN TRUST BAROMETER
we have been involved in that relate to issues
Edelman’s intellectual property and The Edelman Trust Barometer – now in its 19th from mental health and veterans’ issues to
counsel increasingly help them year and covering 33,000-plus respondents in global hunger, education and gender equality.
understand their expanding 28 global markets – generates important We gain invaluable experience from the work
social role and act on how they signals about the state of trust and distrust we do with clients on such endeavors and,
can contribute social purpose to worldwide and the impact on countries, increasingly, we apply our communications
various industries, economic sectors and marketing talents gleaned from cause-related
our world.
institutions outside of business, including client work to our own pro bono activities. The
government, the media and NGOs. The following case studies offer a glimpse at the
broad range of client assignments we helped
with in FY18. For more purpose-driven client
work, please visit our Citizenship website.
12 OUR CLIENTS ACT WITH CERTAINTY | EDELMAN FY18 CITIZENSHIP REPORTCASE STUDIES
Edelman UAE
Linkedin : Hear it from me
LinkedIn wanted to strengthen its offering Edelman helped LinkedIn define a meaningful
in Saudi Arabia in relation to Arabic-first job role for its platform by using its data – along
search websites. To build brand presence and with the voices of Saudi career women – to
increase sign-ups, Edelman UAE needed to tell their stories with authority and conviction.
connect LinkedIn to something bigger. And they united these stories under an
integrated campaign – #HearItFromMe.
So, it used this ask as an opportunity to
connect the act of signing up to making a Edelman helped package and launch
statement: Adding more women into the work- LinkedIn research around the barriers and
force under the Saudi Vision 2030 mandate. drivers to hiring Saudi women and engaged
multiple influential Saudi Arabian business-
Edelman helped LinkedIn define its approach women to blog about the data across a range
to market by providing a key insight of Saudi of social media platforms.
Arabian women professionals: In the shadow
of their misrepresentation in the media, these Within the first four days, the campaign
women view their careers and achievements eclipsed regional records on social, generating
as invisible to the world and to recruiters. over 20 percent engagement and more than
200,000 impressions. It has since generated
35 pieces of media coverage across print,
online and broadcast – not to mention tweets
from the Kingdom’s top influencers who spoke
about the findings and LinkedIn’s efforts.
13 OUR CLIENTS ACT WITH CERTAINTY | EDELMAN FY18 CITIZENSHIP REPORTCASE STUDIES
Edelman Seattle
REI: Force of Nature
REI, a purpose-driven outdoor retailer and Edelman launched #ForceofNature as an
the nation’s largest consumer cooperative, integrated, insight-driven campaign to media,
has never shied away from its belief that a life consumers and the public at large. Edelman
outdoors is a life well lived – for all. Edelman secured a strong line-up of interviews with
partnered with REI to help them take a stand REI women leaders resulting in launch day
during a time of ignited activism, awareness placements in Forbes, Fast Company, Gear
and conversation around gender inequality and Junkie and Fortune. The team also helped
barriers that exist to equal opportunity. REI partner with Outside Magazine to create
the outlet’s first all-women’s issue. Following
REI partnered with Edelman to launch the initial launch, Edelman took the integrated
#ForceofNature in April 2017, a long-term media push from national to REI’s key
effort that continues to the present, to make markets and helped drive attendance to
the outdoors the world’s largest level playing 1000+ events and classes specifically
field, resetting gender perceptions and ensuring designed for women.
that women and girls are just as inspired and
equipped as men to embrace life outside. Beyond initial curtain-raiser stories, Edelman
secured coverage in top-tier outlets, and the
REI, Edelman and Edelman Intelligence campaign also garnered 45 million social
conducted a survey of 2,000 women to unearth impressions, 15 million of which came from
the societal truths about the relationship REI employees. Nearly 48,000 women have
women have with the outdoors and provide participated in local events across the
newsworthy data that illustrated the outdoor country, and the waitlist for ongoing events
gender gap. The findings proved that too many has reached nearly 15,000. The work also
women believe the outdoors isn’t for them, won a Bronze Lion in the Glass: The Lion for
with 84 percent of women calling themselves Change category at the Cannes Lions Festival,
“active” but only 32 percent identifying as not to mention several public relations industry
“outdoorsy.” This data grounded the campaign honors including winning the 2018 Gold
and positioned REI to take action. Sabre Awards for Retail. But perhaps most
importantly, the campaign continues to incite
conversation and action from consumers,
retailers and the outdoor industry to address
the outdoor gender gap.
14 OUR CLIENTS ACT WITH CERTAINTY | EDELMAN FY18 CITIZENSHIP REPORTCASE STUDIES Edelman Singapore + Shanghai J&J Vision : Help Children See With nearly 90 percent of China’s youth suffering from myopia, or near-sightedness, it has become a growing issue of concern in the country. To draw public attention to this issue and raise funds to bring more early vision screenings to children in need, the Edelman teams from Singapore and Shanghai produced the Help Children See purpose marketing campaign for Johnson and Johnson Vision in APAC, built around helping each child live up the full potential of their names on National Eye Care Day in China. Led with the insight that Chinese parents attach hopes and aspirations of desired futures encapsulated in the names of their children, the team created a viral film that explored the story of a young boy as he tries to live up to the vision behind his name while struggling with poor eyesight. The film led viewers to the popular Chinese gaming platform QQ, featuring a game that also doubles as an eye exam, after which they are prompted to donate to the Within the first few hours of launch, the film in brand consideration and 10 percent in Sight for Kids school-based vision screening garnered more than 1.5 million donations, myopia awareness. Help Children See inspired partnership program. As part of the integrated and within 48 hours, over 413 million views. In a whole new generation of Chinese parents to campaign, the team didn’t just produce the total, the campaign led to an increase of truly see the importance of early eye checks viral film – they also created content for the 16 percent in brand love for Johnson and for their children and to understand how game, as well as web banners and posters. Johnson Vision’s ACUVUE® brand, 11 percent myopia can affect their lives. 15 OUR CLIENTS ACT WITH CERTAINTY | EDELMAN FY18 CITIZENSHIP REPORT
Data Privacy & Information Security
Edelman is a client-focused and GDPR attachments and hyperlinks to identify
ethical organization that represents malicious attacks while delivering additional
We have always considered data privacy
email user identity validation through
some of the leading organizations and confidentiality critical to handling our
multifactor authentication.
and companies in the world. We clientmatters. Like many of our international
take the privacy and security of clients, we believe it makes sense to use We also began a new employee training
personal data seriously and have the European Union’s recently activated system that revamped our compliance training
adopted global privacy policies General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and introduced new Information Security
as a guidepost for our global privacy and
consistent with our high standards. training modules, tools and online features to
security compliance program.
Learn more about our global help employees be vigilant and prevent
privacy principles and policies We developed and rolled out training materials
phishing attacks, among other things.
on our on our website’ with ‘on our and customized mandatory data privacy
BUSINESS ETHICS
Citizenship page on Edelman.com. and protection training in support of these
materials that all employees were expected EcoVadis provides an independent CSR
to complete before May 25. analysis covering 21 criteria across four
themes of environment, fair labor practices,
We revisited our data privacy and security ethics/fair business practices, and supply
policies and procedures and made changes chain. The methodology is built on international
90% 62%
as appropriate to our practices to meet CSR standards including the Global Reporting
expectations of our global clients and of Initiative, the United Nations Global Compact
regulators. We increased our IT network and the ISO 26000, covering 190 spend of employees of employees
protection capabilities by adding advanced categories and 150 countries. trained on (level 4+)
threat protection which scans email general data trained
protection on Anti-
(GDPR) Corruption
T his year marks the first time Edelman
achieved an EcoVadis Gold rating. This result
places Edelman among the top 5 percent of
performers evaluated by EcoVadis.
85% 59%
of employees of employees
trained on trained on
compliance workplace
and ethics behavior
16 OUR CLIENTS ACT WITH CERTAINTY | EDELMAN FY18 CITIZENSHIP REPORTOur People
PROVIDING OUR EMPLOYEES
WITH RESPONSIBLE CHOICES
An overwhelming majority of our nearly 6,000
employees – 85 percent – say our Citizenship
efforts are a key reason they work at Edelman.
This is why we consider it essential to adopt
meaningful actions that contribute and
improve their lives at work, at home, in their
communities and more broadly. We believe
that our employees increasingly value our
Citizenship initiatives because ours has been
an evolutionary journey that continues, and
they’ve seen our yearly progress.
17 ACT WITH CERTAINTY | EDELMAN FY18 CITIZENSHIP REPORTImportance of Citizenship to Our People
Our Citizenship efforts continue to Eighty-five percent of our employees (up environmental and economic issues. They
gain the support of our employees from 81 percent the year before) believe that want us to support diversity and inclusion
citizenship is important in deciding to work initiatives and promote health and well-being
worldwide and they play a signifi-
at Edelman and that percentage is consistent while also providing effective professional
cant role in acquiring and retaining
across regions and levels. training and development.
talent. All our regions reported
moderate to significant progress We believe this increasing level of engagement This is why we continue to introduce new
in citizenship in FY18 as well as in spotlights the success we see in our Citizen- Citizenship goals and policies, including efforts
volunteerism, green initiatives and ship approach. But we always are seeking fresh to center our employees’ talents and skills to
pro bono work. ways to connect with our global community advance the UN Sustainable Development
because, as the Edelman Trust Barometer goals of Gender Equality, Zero Hunger and
makes clear, employees – and indeed citizens Quality Education — three goals identified by
worldwide – want their organizations and our employees as priority focus areas.
CEOs to take stands on important societal,
85% of 63% of
employees employees
believe that citizenship is seek more information
important in deciding to about potential
work at Edelman opportunities, indicating
they have a clear desire to
Up from become more engaged.
81% in FY17
9% increase
in interest from FY17
18 OUR PEOPLE ACT WITH CERTAINTY | EDELMAN FY18 CITIZENSHIP REPORTHealth & Well-Being
Health and well-being continue to From supporting physical and mental health in and resources to ensure changes met legal
rank among the most important the workplace, to organized activities, access requirements and to ensure they were right
to resources and policies that encourage for Edelman.
values to our employees, and in
flexibility, we continue to evolve the way we
fiscal 2018, it ranked as the top We also began to broaden the Edelman
address this important value globally to ensure
issue around nearly all of our Escape program, a widely popular U.S.
employee health and satisfaction and secure a
global offices. However, only 47 culture that places wellness at the center. program that awards winners one week
percent of employees believe that and $1500 to pursue a once-in-a-lifetime
Edelman has created a culture This past year, we undertook a large project to experience, to eventually make it global by
that promotes healthy living. change our paid time off policies in the U.S. to budgeting for it in Canada and then elsewhere.
allow for more flexibility by providing buckets Edelman also moved to make a tobacco
of PTO and a PTO bank of time for employees cessation program a global one within the
VETERANS
to use. The project required considerable time Employee Assistance Program.
WELL-BEING SURVEY
We conducted our third annual
Veterans Well-being Survey in
partnership with more than 15
1. Career 4. Physical
veteran service organizations.
• Barcelona: Planned a “Clear-out Day,” • Madrid: Offered a five-week Pilates The survey engaged 2,000
where employees cleared their desks class.
to “clear their minds.” veterans, 1,075 employers,
• UK: Offers guided mediation, resilience
250 educators and 500 military
and stress management workshops,
2. Social spouses, and focused on tracking
biweekly massages.
• Paris: Organizes monthly afternoon changes in veterans’ well-being
• Belgium: Offers desk yoga classes.
tea sessions, encouraging employees
metrics over time assessing
to practice their English, and hosts a • Germany: Offers massages across all
monthly healthy breakfast social get- country offices. perceptions of employment
together.
5. Community readiness and potential for
success; diving deeper into
In FY18 offices in the Europe and the 3. Financial • Cologne and Paris: Organized
office-wide charity runs. the civilian/military divide
United Kingdom created a program • U.K.: Hosted financial education
focused on five pillars of well-being, seminars run by HSBC Bank. • Madrid: Encourages employees to and the issues perpetuating
which include: take time off to donate blood. this; and assessing military
spouse employment as well as
perceptions of access to care.
19 OUR PEOPLE ACT WITH CERTAINTY | EDELMAN FY18 CITIZENSHIP REPORTDiversity & Inclusion
Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) In January 2018, our U.S. Executive Committee ment efforts by strengthening partnerships
are an extension of our values set a racial and ethnic workforce goal of 30 with key organizations, universities/colleges
and are core to our culture. We percent by 2022 (from 24 percent). At the and communities to develop a more diverse
end of the fiscal year, our diverse workforce candidate pipeline. To drive retention and
recognize the critical importance
percentage was 25 percent and it has promotion of our work, we expect to introduce
of employing a diverse workforce
continued to increase in the current fiscal year. a D&I-focused mentoring program, especially
and senior management and
for mid-level employees, and provide program-
in maintaining an inclusive Additionally, we expect to meet our 2020 ming through our five employee networks.
workplace by setting firm goal of achieving 50 percent representation
objectives and holding ourselves of women in leadership roles firmwide. That In FY18, we held over 50 D&I trainings
accountable to exceed them. percentage increased to nearly 48 percent in throughout the U.S. offices and beyond,
FY18. Of note, the four largest U.S. offices – and required U.S. employees to participate
New York, Chicago, Washington, D.C. and the in the ongoing trainings. We completed a
Bay Area – are headed by women. companywide pay equity analysis to identify
and take steps to eliminate gaps, which Edelman completed a gender
To drive this work, we have several programs
underlines our commitment to equal pay. pay analysis which found that
underway and more work to be done. We
Edelman pays women 99% of
continue to enhance our diversity recruit-
what their male counterparts are
paid for similar job functions,
experience and geographies.
Gender Breakdown by Region Age Breakdown by Generation
Region Female Male Total Generation Female Male Total
APACMEA 855 403 1,258 Silent 3 2 5
48%
Boomer 139 106 245
Women now hold 48%
Canada 167 70 237
of Senior Leadership
Europe & CIS 924 431 1,355 Gen X 624 490 1,114 positions (Executive Vice
LatAm 248 94 342 Millennial 3,179 1,195 4,374 President and up).
U.S. 1,804 805 2,609 Generation Z 53 10 63
Total 3,817 1,803 5,801 Total 3,398 1,803 5,801
20 OUR PEOPLE ACT WITH CERTAINTY | EDELMAN FY18 CITIZENSHIP REPORTDiversity & Inclusion, continued
INCLUSIVO EQUAL
Our five employee networks were increasingly active in FY18. The groups
include Edelman Equal, our LGBTQ network; Forward, our veterans’
network; Griot, our African American network; GWEN, our global women’s
network; and Inclusivo, our Hispanic/Latino network.
GWEN GRIOT
The Global Women’s Empowerment Network Edelman’s Hispanic network group expanded
continued to launch bold initiatives and its impact, hosting workshops, panels and
engage women across Edelman’s global fundraisers to celebrate Latino pride. In New
offices. In FY18, it launched Opportunity York, the group hosted a hip hop and culture
Edelman Equal celebrated PRIDE month
Talks, a global mentorship program, to connect workshop in collaboration with Griot NY as
around the world, including participating
employees across the network, and Lean well as a food and culture panel, a fundraiser for
in marches in Mexico City and London;
In Circles, another mentorship program to a Puerto Rican school damaged by Hurricane
hosting fundraisers for homeless LGBTQ
empower women colleagues across all levels Maria and a creative lifestyle design workshop
youth initiatives in the U.S. and the AIDS
through group mentorship and peer coaching. with actress Joselyn Martinez. In Chicago,
committee of Toronto in Canada; and
Throughout international Women’s Day, the the group celebrated Dia de los Muertos, and
cultivating partnerships as the U.K. did with
group planned festivities and awareness partnered with local organizations to give
Intermedia UK, an organization that strives to
activities in offices across the globe; in back, including sponsorship of the El Futuro
build a more LGBT-inclusive media industry.
Chicago, the group hosted a guest speaker To build momentum around racial diversity High School Leadership program, to help the
and raised funds for a local nonprofit that and inclusion through internal and external city’s Latino community achieve better college
helps empower women to secure employment. programming. In FY18, the group celebrated entrance and completion rates.
Black History Month and continued to offer
FORWARD
open forums to engage diverse media and
Griot journalists, and supported black artists in their
Edelman has made its first two veteran hires
Edelman’s black network group continued communities. To continue to build community
through a partnership with United States
support and encourage education throughout
Chamber of Commerce Hiring Our Heroes
local black communities, Griot raised money
program, and has also hired several military
for local school and community centers and
spouses, marking the first steps in our journey
joined in on service projects for local charities.
toward creating a more inclusive workforce
bolstered by the experiences and skillsets
veterans and military spouses offer.
21 OUR PEOPLE ACT WITH CERTAINTY | EDELMAN FY18 CITIZENSHIP REPORTLearning & Development
UNLOCKING CLIENT VALUE BY INVESTING • Targeted Learning Programs: As part of
IN OUR EMPLOYEES our commitment to develop targeted skills
and experiences, we design custom learn-
We pride ourselves in our learning and devel-
ing solutions by region, office and team.
opment efforts and consider them representa-
tive of our culture of continuous improvement
• Mentor Programs: Most global offices offer
and dynamic learning environment, which
a mentor program with active partnerships
adds new online and in-class training modules
that connect experienced employees with
regularly.
junior colleagues. Other programs link
minority talent with senior managers, newer
But it’s the on-the-job experiences that make
women employees with women leaders
Edelman special. We estimate that our employ-
and new parents with longtime Edelman
ees learn about 70 percent of their knowledge
parents.
on the job, which underlines why our career
development program combines formal
Performance Reviews: These annual and
•
training, coaching and mentoring, and distinct
mid-year reviews evaluate skills, provide
professional experiences:
strategic goal development and career
planning opportunities.
Edelman Learning Institute: This corpo-
•
rate “virtual campus” addresses personal
and professional growth through a robust,
105,161 hrs
global training system that supports lifelong
development and social learning.
Leadership Academy: This program offers
• In FY18, employees recorded
select client-facing leaders the global a total of 105,161 hours of
opportunity to participate in an intensive training, an average of 16.5 EDELMAN LEADERSHIP ACADEMY EVOLVES
educational three-day program conducted hours per person.
This year, 70 of our top leaders from 32 global offices gathered in Montreal
by experts from both within and outside
to participate in a distinct, leader-led coaching experience. More than 30
Edelman.
Edelman executives and internal experts conducted small groups in learning
structured around three pillars of Courage, Collaboration and Operational
Excellence, guided by a thematic construct of Unlocking Value for Clients.
22 OUR PEOPLE ACT WITH CERTAINTY | EDELMAN FY18 CITIZENSHIP REPORTOur
Communities
IMPACTING OUR
LOCAL COMMUNITIES
Acting with Certainty extends beyond our and
our clients’ business. It applies to the way
we conduct ourselves as world citizens – in
the places where we live, work and play. Our
employees use their skills, talents and time to
make a positive impact through community
involvement. Again, it has proven important
to evolve our global citizenship efforts as
volunteerism and pro bono initiatives change
emphasis. For instance, we are aligning
our efforts more closely with three U.N.
Sustainable Development Goals favored
by our employees: Zero Hunger, Quality
Education and Gender Equality.
23 ACT WITH CERTAINTY | EDELMAN FY18 CITIZENSHIP REPORT19,907 hrs Pro Bono
total volunteerism Volunteer
Board Ad
Sponsors
$3 million
Employee Giving & Volunteerism
63%
1,483 hours 9,319 hours
Being active and engaged Globally, one-quarter of employees have
Board Advisory Volunteerism
participants in society is a core volunteered through Edelman-sponsored
9,103 hours While we continue to prioritize pro bono and
opportunities, and 43 percent were involved of employees would
value to Edelman employees. Pro Bono volunteerism across our offices, we also continue
outside of the office. More than one in 10 has like to receive more
In fact, 80 percent of employees information about pro
to assess where we’re falling short and how we can
engaged in pro bono work either inside or
say volunteering and pro bono bono and volunteerism empower employees to give back.
outside the firm.
opportunities are important opportunities
1.Volunteering and Pro Bono Policy. Over half
factors in choosing to work In total, we’ve given back nearly 20,000 hours
1.2 million 1.4 million of our global employees report that making time
Sponsorship Probono
at Edelman. and $3 million in time and talent in FY18.
60%
available during work hours would help increase
Our ultimate goal is that every employee
participation. Our recently updated volunteering
gives back the eight hours they’re allotted for
and pro bono policy encourages offices to take the
a total of 40,000 hours of pro222,548
bono and of employees would
227,499 lead in creating opportunities for their employees,
volunteering time. Board Advisory like to Volunteerism
hear from local
leadership about from volunteer days to pro bono partnerships. The
opportunities policy provides clear guidance on minimal time
investments, U.N. SDG priorities and logging hours
efficiently.
2. Streamlining reporting. A challenge to accurate
reporting lies in volunteering and pro bono hours
19,907 hrs 9,103 hours
Pro Bono
9,319 hours
Volunteerism
tracking. We launched a global software to help
simplify and streamline this process across
total volunteerism offices, which we will discuss on page 25.
1,483 hours
Board Advisory 3. Formalizing involvement. Our policy adds
structure to Edelman-sponsored volunteerism and
we continue to build out our pro bono guidelines
$3 million
for involvement, ensuring that the work leverages
$1.4 million $1.2 million
Probono Sponsorship, communications marketing skills and produces
Grants,
top-tier case studies.
total giving Contributions
$227,499
$222,548 Volunteerism
Board Advisory
24 OUR COMMUNITIES ACT WITH CERTAINTY | EDELMAN FY18 CITIZENSHIP REPORTEmployee Giving & Volunteerism
50% 82%
CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES YOURCAUSE
Though employee interest in and passion for We launched YourCause software globally
community engagement remains high, hurdles Time: Fifty percent of all to address these concerns and encourage of employees say that
exist to involvement. While 82 percent and 79 employees acknowledge time Citizenship engagement at all levels. The volunteerism is important in
percent of employees, respectively, believe
is the biggest factor affecting software centralizes all volunteer and pro
choosing to work at Edelman
their Citizenship involvement.
that volunteerism and pro bono are important bono opportunities, streamlines signup and
79%
This statistic is especially
in choosing to work at Edelman, only about simplifies hours tracking. Transition to this
common in the U.S., with
25 percent of employees have engaged in 67 percent of employees full-service site enables the Global Citizenship
Edelman-sponsored volunteering, and only 10 team to obtain an accurate sense of employee 79% say pro bono is important in
struggling to make time to
choosing to work at EdelmanYet
percent have engaged in Edelman-sponsored engage in volunteer and pro involvement, and it empowers employees
globally, only 39% of employees
pro bono work, citing time and awareness as bono projects. around the world to give back in the best way
volunteer through Edelman
their biggest barriers. for them.
31%
Awareness: Nearly one-third 78%
(31%) of employees are not Level 1 and 2 employees (78%)
aware of opportunities to get are most interested in service-
involved. This is particularly related opportunities
apparent in the APAC region,
followed by Canada and
Latin America.
58%
Level 4 and 5 (58%) as well
as Level 6+ (81%) are more
interested in professional/skilled-
based opportunities
25 OUR COMMUNITIES ACT WITH CERTAINTY | EDELMAN FY18 CITIZENSHIP REPORTCommunity Investment Grants
50 grants
We’re proud of the myriad ways As one of the Global Citizenship team’s
employees give back outside of signature programs, our Community Investment
Grants have a direct and meaningful impact
the office on their own time, and awarded in FY18
on organizations with which employees are
we’re also proud to help support
engaged across the world. For the past seven
14 grants
this involvement.
years, this grant program has supported
causes that matter most to employees and
their communities. impacted one of Edelman’s
priority sustainable
development goals
This year we awarded 50 grants, totaling
$101,500, across 18 offices globally.
QUALITY Organizations ranged from a sustainable coffee
EDUCATION
collective in Uganda to an adaptive winter
PARTNERSHIPS
12
$101,500
GOOD HEALTH AND
FOR THE GOALS WELL-BEING sports nonprofit in Vancouver; from a program
1 10 that unites magic with motor skills therapy in
London to an arts organization that helps awarded in FY18
CLEAN WATER
AND SANITATION
NO POVERTY facilitate an understanding of diversity in
1 8 Connecticut; from a project to build vegetable
gardens for sustainability and biology
Number of grants education at a school in Illinois to a project to
ZERO awarded REDUCED
HUNGER cultivate a more walkable community in The Community Investment
for each SDG INEQUALITIES
1 8 Maryland. The list goes on – and so does Grants program has totaled
the impact. more than $1.1 million USD in
GENDER
charitable giving – in more
SUSTAINABLE CITIES
EQUALITY AND COMMUNITIES than 750 separate grants – since
1 DECENT WORK 4 the program’s inception in FY11.
AND
LIFE ON LAND
ECONOMIC GROWTH
2 3
26 OUR COMMUNITIES ACT WITH CERTAINTY | EDELMAN FY18 CITIZENSHIP REPORTVolunteerism
LONDON’S CHALLENGE DAY PARIS CITIZEN DAY CANADA’S LITTLE GIVE: Vancouver Edition
Inspired by Oprah Winfrey’s Big Give initiative,
The Little Give is Edelman Canada’s annual
corporate social responsibility project that
dedicates a little bit of seed money and a
whole lot of time and energy to worthy, local
nonprofit organizations. Established in 2008
by Edelman Vancouver, The Little Give
taps into employees’ diverse skillsets and
passions to make a difference in the
communities around them.
Edelman London colleagues participated in All 140 Paris employees participated in their
the office’s first Challenge Day on May 3. As office’s second annual Citizen Day on June 27. In June 2018, the Vancouver office celebrated
an alternative to the office’s biannual company Office involvement focused on volunteering its 11th anniversary by collaborating with three
offsite, this day aimed to shine a spotlight on and pro bono work for three local charities, local charities: Mount Pleasant Neighbour-
the opportunities around pro bono and totaling more than 1,000 hours. hood House, Whole Way House and a Loving
volunteerism at Edelman. Spoonful. These organizations supply needed
Some employees assisted an employment services, empowering those struggling with
The huge effort connected 500-plus colleagues service agency by developing communications family issues and in need of daycare and
“We connected with inspiring people in
with 24 community charities and causes. materials and conducting interview workshops, counselling services. Edelman Vancouver’s
our community, challenged ourselves
Teams were tasked with assisting a range of resume and curriculum vitae workshops and “Little Givers” got involved in cleaning,
and embraced the opportunity to work
projects both small and large from across the job coaching workshops. Others helped at a crafting, dancing, cooking, painting and
alongside our colleagues in a new
U.K. Some teams developed a digital skills homeless shelter with various tasks including projects involving manual labor.
environment, whether it was through
workshop and helped organizations rebrand basement cleaning, wall painting, lunch prepa-
power washing or line dancing, ‘The
and activate. Others spent the day outdoors ration, building patio furniture and creating a
Little Give’ is one of the most enriching
on large community projects – whether tending beautiful piece of wall art. Still others aided a
experiences that we, as Edelman employees,
gardens, preparing and serving hot meals or humanitarian emergency service organization,
take part in as a collective group.”
engaging with diverse community members, sorting more than 2,200 articles of clothing for
- Vanessa Mora, Vancouver
among others. those in need. For Paris, this was a day of
Citizenship Lead
solidarity – of uniting time and talent to give
back in a truly meaningful way.
27 OUR COMMUNITIES ACT WITH CERTAINTY | EDELMAN FY18 CITIZENSHIP REPORTVolunteerism, continued
tangible results: Packaged 2,000 pounds of
CHICAGO’S WEEK OF SERVICE
food at Lakeview Pantry; made nearly 100
chew toys for animals the Anti-Cruelty Society;
sorted donations for 192 children at Cradles to
Crayons; mentored nearly 200 middle school
students with Junior Achievement; organized
and stocked linen and toiletry closets for
Ronald McDonald House families; and played
bingo and served lunch to 160 seniors with
Meals on Wheels.
THE BAY AREA: Annual Offsite
Each year, Edelman Chicago dedicates a week
to give back to the community. Employees are The Bay Area offices comprising San Francisco,
encouraged to sign up for various volunteer Silicon Valley and Sacramento close down for
activities throughout the week, which in FY18 an afternoon each summer for an offsite
included: sorting donations at Cradles to celebration to wrap up the fiscal year and start
Crayons, making chew toys for animals at the next on a positive note.
the Anti-Cruelty Society, packaging food
In August 2017, the Bay Area offices canceled
donations at Lakeview Pantry, mentoring
their morning work hours to provide several
middle schoolers with Junior Achievement,
volunteer opportunities to enable employees
playing bingo with seniors for Meals on
to give back to their local communities. More
Wheels, and much more.
than 80 employees engaged in these events,
More than one third of the office engages impacting five UN Sustainable Development
with these activities throughout the week, and Goals through the Alameda Food Bank,
employee participation created the following Project Open Hand, Botanical Garden at
Golden Gate Park, The Arc and the East Bay
College Fund.
28 OUR COMMUNITIES ACT WITH CERTAINTY | EDELMAN FY18 CITIZENSHIP REPORTPro Bono Work
In addition to empowering RUTH EDELMAN AWARD Top-ranking entries closely emulated the
employees to give back with time, Throughout her life, Ruth Edelman supported
beginning-to-end communications marketing
Edelman also encourages them numerous health organizations and nonprofits.
work we do for clients regularly, including:
collaboration across practices; clear goals,
to give back with talent. Our Pro Her commitment to helping others proved an
objectives and tactics based on research
Bono and Volunteerism policy inspiration to all who knew and loved her. From
and insights; full-circle campaign execution;
prioritizes pro bono work, or Ruth’s involvement in the community to the tens
compelling case study and video development;
“professional volunteerism,” of thousands of volunteer hours that Edelman
lasting and measurable impact; and demon-
defined as skilled work performed employees complete every year, Citizenship
strating our third core value – the courage to
has always been core to who we are.
by a professional, done free of do the right thing.
charge to serve the public good. In its third year, the Ruth Edelman Citizenship
The following pages outline Edelman’s best-
9,000 hrs
Award recognizes the pro bono project that
When considering pro bono opportunities, we in-class pro bono work. For more examples of
demonstrates Edelman Citizenship to the
seek to apply employees’ unique communica- our nonprofit partnerships at work, please visit
highest extent. The recognition is part of
our Citizenship page on Edelman.com. In FY18, employees
tions marketing talents to create campaigns Edelman’s larger Culture Awards initiative – completed more than
that make a sustained impact for organizations which celebrates the achievements of teams 9,000 hrs of pro bono activity,
and causes in their communities. But there’s and individuals who have made a positive valued at nearly $1.4 million
work to be done. In FY18, only roughly impact for the firm, clients and one another –
one-in-10 employees reported pro bono and grants $5,000 to the winning team.
involvement through Edelman, although 79
percent consider these opportunities important
in choosing to work at the firm.
Edelman’s goal is to deliver 50 percent
of its pro bono hours against the top UN
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) as
identified by our global employees :
29 OUR COMMUNITIES ACT WITH CERTAINTY | EDELMAN FY18 CITIZENSHIP REPORTYou can also read
