Costco Ranked as Late Bloomer on the Women's Power & Influence Index

The Difference Engine is thrilled to announce the release of the most recent rankings from The Women's Power and Influence Index. Building on the momentum of our recent Google release, today we reveal that Costco, a corporation with a chain of membership-only big-box retail stores, has received the Late Bloomer ranking on the Women’s Power and Influence Index.

For those who prioritize equity and fair treatment in the workplace, as well as companies committed to bolstering diversity initiatives, this announcement carries significant weight. Our dedicated team has dedicated months to meticulous research, drawing insights from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and publicly available data pertaining to Costco to assign this ranking.

The question on everyone's minds – what does it mean to be a Late Bloomer? Costco has received the lowest tier ranking on the WPI, which signifies sparse policies promoting an inclusive work environment, with many noteworthy gaps warranting attention for a more comprehensive commitment to equity.

Key highlights of Costco's approach:

• Investment into Women: Costco does include fertility benefits in their health plans and has invested funds in community engagement programs promoting female-owned businesses.
• Low Female Representation: Costco only had 2 female executives in 2018 and none in 2017, while almost half of their workforce is female.
• Major Lack of Transparency: We could not find any information regarding their pay gap policies, gender-specific professional development programs and mentorship opportunities, diverse recruitment efforts, childcare benefits, paid time off for caregivers, gender equality programs, and anti-harassment policies.

While we have detailed a few insights into Costco’s commitment to gender equity, it is quite clear they are lacking transparency, which would allow prospective candidates to see what their experience as an employee would be like at Costco.

The Women's Power and Influence Index serves a dual purpose – illuminating the current landscape of women within corporate structures while urging organizations to adopt more equitable practices. At The Difference Engine, we firmly believe that transparency is a driving force for change. This democratization of information empowers women to make well-informed decisions about their career trajectories and actively supports companies that prioritize and champion gender equity.

For those intrigued by the landscape of gender equity in the workplace, we extend an invitation to explore Costco's detailed company profile and uncover, firsthand, why Costco has received its low ranking.

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