Whirlpool Corporation: Achieving Inclusion and Disability Equality


07/21/2023


Whirlpool Corporation has once again demonstrated its commitment to disability inclusion by achieving a perfect score of 100 percent on the 2023 Disability Equality Index (DEI). This recognition marks the seventh consecutive year that the company has been acknowledged as a "Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion." The DEI, a widely respected benchmarking tool for Fortune 100 companies, measures and evaluates disability workplace inclusion on a global scale.
 
“We are honored to once again receive a score of 100 on the Disability Equity Index in recognition of our efforts to ensure every employee is welcomed, valued, respected, and heard,” said Carey Martin, Whirlpool Corp’s EVP and chief human resources officer.
 
“At Whirlpool Corporation, inclusion is a key pillar of our enduring values, and we remain committed to creating a culture that supports and empowers our differences so that we can be a better company to work for, produce even better products, and truly improve life at home and in the workplace.”
 
As part of its ongoing dedication to fostering inclusivity and diversity, Whirlpool Corporation has established 17 Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) worldwide. These ERGs play a crucial role in supporting diverse groups and perspectives within the organization. In 2022, the Whirlpool Awareness of Visible and Invisible Disabilities (AVID) and Whirlpool Veterans Association volunteers joined forces with the Disability Network of Southwest Michigan to complete three handicap ramp builds in the region. The collective effort of these volunteers amounted to 210 hours of dedicated service, resulting in enhanced independence and safety for individuals with mobility disabilities in their own homes.
 
The Disability Equality Index (DEI) represents a collaborative initiative between the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the nation's largest disability rights organization, and Disability:IN, the global business disability inclusion network. Together, they strive to promote the inclusion of individuals with disabilities across various industries. The DEI assesses companies across six key categories, which include Culture & Leadership, Enterprise-Wide Access, Employment Practices (Benefits, Recruitment, Employment, Education, Retention & Advancement, Accommodations), Community Engagement, Supplier Diversity, and Non-U.S. Operations.
 
In the year 2023, out of the 485 participants evaluated, an impressive 294 companies achieved a perfect score of 100 in the DEI, highlighting their exemplary commitment to disability inclusion. Additionally, 66 companies attained a score of 90, while 45 companies received a score of 80, contributing to a total of 405 top scorers in the assessment.