Mars recognized as one of world’s Best Multinational Workplaces

Published October 23, 2013 by Paula C. Squires

Mars Inc. said Wednesday that it has been recognized as one of the World's Best Multinational Workplaces by Great Place to Work. The ranking identifies the top 25 best multinationals in terms of workplace culture. Ranked 22 this year, Mars' position rose by 3 places compared to 2012. The No. 1 ranked company was Google, based in California.

As in 2012, the list noted Mars' high percentage of women in management positions. For the last 12 years, the company has gradually increased the proportion of women in management roles by one percent each year , with women now maintaining a 38 percent proportion, globally.

“At Mars, we think an important part of our success is having a team of associates that mirror the diversity of our consumers around the world. This diversity also gives us the perspectives we need to look at business challenges and opportunities from multiple angles and points of view,” Paul S. Michaels, Mars’ president, said in a statement. “We want Mars to be a place where associates can enjoy long, rewarding careers working on fun and iconic brands … We're honored that this has led us to be listed among the world's greatest places to work!”

The company also was credited for programs in acclimating new employees and its volunteer effort. According to a press release from Mars, which is based in McLean, more than 12,500 associates volunteered more than 50,000 hours in 2012. The Mars Ambassador program allows up to 100 associates to spend between one and six weeks all over the world improving Mars' communities and developing leadership skills.

“The companies listed on the third-annual World's Best Multinational Workplaces list are creating workplaces dedicated to fostering trust, pride and camaraderie amongst their employees,” said China Gorman, CEO of Great Place to Work. “Their inclusion on this prestigious list demonstrates their commitment to continually improving the lives of their employees and setting innovative new standards for workplaces of the future.”

To qualify for the list, Mars and other companies were required to be featured on at least five national Great Place to Work lists, have at least 5,000 workers and have at least 40 percent of its workforce located outside the country in which their company is headquartered. 

Since launching the first best workplaces lists in partnership with Fortune magazine in the United States and Exame in Brazil in 1997, Great Place to Work now recognizes leading workplaces in nearly 50 countries.
Its third list of World's Best Multinational Workplace list is based on a pool of data from some 2,900 companies. Every year, Great Place to Work analyzes data from surveys taken by more than 5 million employees and workplace culture analytics taken from 7,200 companies, which represent more than 16 million employees.

Mars said it has annual net sales of more than $33 billion and six business segments: Petcare, Chocolate, Wrigley, Food, Drinks, Symbioscience. It employs more than 72,000 associates worldwide.  Major brands include M&M'S, Snickers, Dove, Milky Wrigley chewing gum and Uncle Ben’s.