The lingerie group Victoria’s Secret has published its first Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report, in which the company outlines the steps it has taken in these areas so far and what it needs to continue working on.
In an opening statement, CEO Martin Waters says the company is continuing its “journey” to improve relationships with its stakeholders by creating a respectful workplace. The report, Waters added, is the next stage in that mission as the company seeks to embed diversity, equality and inclusion into all aspects of the business.
“With this first ESG report for our company, we do not want to claim that we have everything under control – quite the opposite. It is a recognition of the work that still lies ahead of us; a transparent view of where we are today and an indication of where we are headed,” explains Waters.
A look at the company’s workforce shows that women make up the vast majority of employees at all levels, including 59 percent in senior management, 86 percent on the board of directors and 95 percent in the branches. Overall, women make up 87 percent of the company’s workforce.
“A transparent look at where we are today…”
The report also highlights the proportion of employees of color who make up 60 percent of the workforce overall. While 65 percent of them work in the branches and 71 percent in the distribution centers, only 16 percent of the workers hold a position at executive level and above – only eight percent of them are women of color. Also, about 43 percent of the company’s board members are people of color.
In response to the numbers, the company said it is committed to encouraging and cultivating greater diversity in its workforce through new partnerships, leadership development programs and evolving its hiring process.
The report also details the brand’s sustainability milestones, including the sourcing of recycled materials, which now accounts for 24 percent of polyester shipments and 11 percent of polyamide shipments.
Looking at its supply chain, the company says, “We assess the environmental performance of facilities across our value chain to determine our baseline and establish a formal, science-based greenhouse gas reduction target.”
In addition, the report noted several community-focused and philanthropic actions Victoria’s Secret has taken recently, including employee support programs, safer working practices for its photo shoots, support for mental wellbeing organizations, and a commitment to the next give $50 million to other causes over five years.
This translated article originally appeared on FashionUnited.uk.