Sodexo joins an elite group of Australian companies striving to bridge the gap, with second Elevate RAP

Sodexo’s commitment to reconciliation, including providing more than $33.5 million worth of employment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, has contributed to being recognised in an elite group of companies to achieve a second Elevate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).

 

The RAP, endorsed by Reconciliation Australia, provides a framework for organisations to support the national reconciliation movement, with ‘Elevate’ the highest status. An elite group of 24 companies are currently progressing their Elevate RAP, with just 10 organisations in their second Elevate RAP.    
 
Sodexo’s Elevate RAP discusses the facilities management company’s commitment to the reconciliation pillars of Opportunity, Respect and Relationships.  

Sodexo’s achievements of reconciliation include employing more than 1,100 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples during its RAP journey beginning in 2009.

During Sodexo’s last Elevate RAP, more than $33.5 million was earned through salaries providing a direct positive impact into households and communities. 

The company has also supported the growth of First Nations’ businesses, spending more than $23.9 million between 2014 – 2018, with 50 per cent of these businesses located in remote Australia.

Sodexo Chief Financial Officer and Country President Mark Chalmers said the RAP followed a long history of inclusion and diversity initiatives and aimed to continue a culture of education, awareness and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

“Sodexo continues to initiate and support worthwhile programs to bridge the gap. One program mentioned in the RAP is the Justice to Work program, providing new life training and employment opportunities for incarcerated women,” Mr Chalmers said. 

Mr Chalmers said the RAP committed the company to 19 key actions, which could only be realised by recognising, understanding and accepting the culture of First Nations’ people, derived from the past 70,000 years. 

“This RAP formally states that Sodexo, as a company, appreciates and recognises the Indigenous peoples’ deep connection to land and sea, and there are some significant cultural differences that need to be respected and can also add so much value to our company,” he said. 

Mr Chalmers added a core measurement of the RAP's success would be seeing Sodexo’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce increase from 7.7 percent to 10 percent in the next three years. 

Sodexo has worked closely with Reconciliation Australia to deliver the 2019 Elevate RAP, with Chief Executive Officer Karen Mundine recognising the company’s commitment to social change. 

“This RAP inspires social change in workplaces across Australia, generating economic and behavioural transformation with far-reaching positive impacts,” she said. 

“Sodexo continues to take great strides in fostering positive two-way relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, organisations and communities, with so many opportunities created.” 

For more information about Sodexo, visit here.
 

About Sodexo in Australia: Sodexo in Australia employs a diverse workforce of over 5,000 employees. Sodexo delivers a unique array of over 100 integrated services lines including: catering, facilities management, concierge services, security, asset maintenance and hospitality services in the following segments: Corporate, Healthcare & Seniors, Education, Justice and Energy & Resources both on and off shore.

About Sodexo: Founded in Marseille in 1966 by Pierre Bellon, Sodexo is the global leader in services that improve Quality of Life, an essential factor in individual and organizational performance. Operating in 72 countries, Sodexo serves 100 million consumers each day
through its unique combination of On-site Services, Benefits and Rewards Services and Personal and Home Services. Sodexo provides clients an integrated offering developed over more than 50 years of experience: from foodservices, reception,
maintenance and cleaning, to facilities and equipment management; from services and programs fostering employees’ engagement to solutions that simplify and optimize their mobility and expenses management, to in-home assistance, child care centers and concierge services. Sodexo’s success and performance are founded on its independence, its sustainable business model and its ability to continuously develop and engage its 460,000 employees throughout the world.
Sodexo is included in the CAC 40, FTSE 4 Good and DJSI indices.