The DiversityInc survey is the most rigorous, data-driven analysis gauging detailed demographics based on race/ethnicity and gender at some of the largest U.S. employers

DiversityInc has revealed the 2016 Top 50 Companies for Diversity. Kaiser Permanente received the top honour of being No. 1 – the second time the healthcare giant achieved this honour, having also been named No. 1 in 2011.

More than 1,800 companies participated in the survey in 2016. The survey, now in its 17th year, leads to a detailed, empirically driven ranking. A free report card assesses performance based on four key areas of diversity management:

In addition to the Top 50 list, DiversityInc also unveiled its 25 Noteworthy Companies, which includes companies that have potential to be a Top 50 company next year. Specialty lists were also announced, including the Top Companies for Opportunity, a brand new list this year recognizing companies that, because of factors such as location and industry, don’t have competitive diverse representation but demonstrate fairness in hiring/promotion, high potentials, retention and nurturing (including mentoring and employee resource groups). The No. 1 Company for Opportunity was Southern Company. Southern Company also ranked No. 50 on the Top 50 in its debut on the list.

The full Top 50 list is:

The DiversityInc Top 50 ranking is based on empirical data obtained through organizations filling out the survey and participation is free. The survey is the most rigorous, data-driven analysis gauging detailed demographics based on race/ethnicity and gender at some of the largest U.S. employers, all in an effort to better assess initiatives to hire, retain and promote women, minorities, people with disabilities, LGBT and veterans.

The DiversityInc survey tracks human capital outcomes and connects them with best practices utilized to promote the advancement of underrepresented groups in the workplace. And results are highly regarded by media, corporations, government agencies, academia and the public at large thanks to the exhaustive vetting of data tracking real diversity on the ground.

With more than 300 sophisticated questions — everything from women representation in the corner offices, to Blacks and Latinos getting promotions into management, to manager accountability when it comes to promoting diversity — applicants can see how they truly stack up against their competition and beyond when it comes to championing diversity.

The survey also tracks demographics outside of the employers’ internal workforce, tracking primary and secondary supplier diversity as a reflection of a larger diversity commitment.

Cutting edge SAS analytics software is used to assess submissions, and accomplished and credentialed data and analytics experts oversee the process. The data is entirely confidential and kept on three secure, separate, dedicated servers. Data is retained to allow for year-to-year comparisons.

For further information: www.diversityinc.com/top50.