Jan 31, 2019 · News

Forbes names RCL one of the best in the U.S. for diversity

No matter who you are, where you’re from or how you self-identify, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is a great, diverse and inclusive place to work. Even people outside of the company say so.

That’s the takeaway from Forbes’ recent naming of RCL as one of America’s Best Employers for Diversity 2019, and the credit belongs in one place.

“This recognition would not be possible without our employees,” says Laura Miller, RCL senior vice president and chief human resources officer. “As one of the world’s largest cruise companies, we are committed to our over 75,000 talented and devoted employees representing nearly 200 countries.

“We will continue to focus and demonstrate the importance of diversity and inclusion both on shore and at sea.”

In surveying 50,000 U.S. employees of companies with a workforce of at least 1,000, Forbes and market research firm Statista added an unusual element: Not only were those surveyed asked to rate their own employers, but they were also asked to give their opinions about other companies.

The survey covered 24 industries – including Travel & Leisure – and was conducted using an online access panel providing a representative sample of the U.S. workforce. Individual evaluations were based on four criteria.

First, direct recommendations based on topics of age, gender equality, ethnicity, LGBTQ+ and general diversity regarding their own employer. The recommendations of women, elders and ethnic minorities were given more weight than those of non-minority groups.

Second, indirect recommendations evaluating “other employers in their respective industries that stand out either positively or negatively with regard to diversity.” Only members of minority groups were included.

Third, an index based on publicly available company information based on the share of women filling top executive and board positions.

And fourth, an index of objective and publicly available key performance indicators, such as the existence of a department or position responsible for diversity.

“All the surveys were anonymous, allowing participants to openly share their opinions,” Forbes explains. “Respondents were first asked to rate their organizations on criteria such as age, gender, ethnicity, disability and sexual orientation equality, as well as that of general diversity.

“These responses were reviewed for potential diversity gaps. So if workers from minority groups, for example, rated an organization poorly on diversity, but nonminority groups rated it highly, Statista would take that into account and adjust the company’s score accordingly.”

In happily accepting the statistical findings of the Forbes survey, RCL managers agree that, more than any other contributing factor, employees top their list.

“While we have built a very diverse workforce at land and sea,” says Francisca F. Phillips, RCL manager of inclusion, diversity and engagement, “the greatest benefit comes from the diversity of thought and opinion that we gain by having an inclusive organization.”

To learn more about working at RCL, please visit our career website at www.rclcareers.com.