BYD receives recognition for its commitment to advancing women in the workplace

BYD has been named on Bloomberg’s Gender-Equality Index (GEI) 2019, which “distinguishes companies committed to transparency in gender reporting and advancing women’s equality in the workplace”.

The companies included in the 2019 GEI disclose higher levels of female representation at the executive level, in addition to providing best-in-class policies and benefits to support gender equality.

“BYD is thrilled to stand alongside such a group of progressive, world-renowned companies who stand at the forefront of gender equality. Just as BYD is committed to leading the ongoing global green transport revolution, we are also working hard to create more inclusive, equitable workplaces across our company,” said Stella Li, President of BYD Motors/North America. “We feel inspired and energised after receiving such high-level recognition for our efforts and will endeavour to continue the great progress represented in this index.”

BYD’s North American workforce has grown from 20 employees in 2013 to nearly 1,000 presently, and delivered more than 280 zero-emission buses. BYD is the only electric vehicle manufacturer in the U.S. to have an all-union workforce at its Lancaster, California, manufacturing plant. The plant team includes a growing number of women, veterans and second-chance employees, and is comprised of 85 per cent minorities.

“We applaud BYD and the other 229 firms tracked by the index for their action to measure gender equality through the Bloomberg GEI framework,” said Peter T. Grauer, Chairman of Bloomberg and Founding Chairman of the U.S. 30% Club. “Greater transparency around workplace inclusion helps firms demonstrate accountability to their employees, investors and communities.”

Women comprise 11 per cent of BYD’s Lancaster plant, which is above the industry standard, per Madeline Janis, Executive Director of Jobs to Move America, in a Forbes 20 August 2018 article: “Despite the fact that women represent 51.4 per cent of adults in the U.S., they hold only seven per cent of middle-skilled manufacturing jobs.” Janis added: “Congratulations BYD on this well-deserved milestone.”

BYD working jointly with JMA and the International Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers Union Local 105 (SMART) to innovate additional outreach and training programmes, including a new apprenticeship programme that is scheduled to launch in spring 2019.

With President Stella Li at the helm, BYD’s North American corporate headquarters are made up of more than 31 per cent women in a variety of roles from vice president of finance; controller; human resources manager; director of communications; project managers; planning analysts; sales national accounts; procurement and logistics specialists. The firm continues to promote internal and external efforts to attract women through organisations like the Women’s Transportation Seminar and STEM based programmes. In 2018 alone, BYD invested more than $250,000 in its local North America organisations and initiatives.