Trailblazer PACESETTER Late Bloomer

Target, a global retail hypermarket selling upscale merchandise, household goods, and groceries, has been ranked as a PACESETTER on the Women’s Power and Influence Index.

Target has achieved pay parity and believes deeply in the professional development of its female workforce through its by-invite program: Target Elevate.

As of 2021, more than half of Target’s workforce is women and 50% of leadership positions are held by women.

Sufficient information related to Target’s subsidized childcare could not be found. 

Review the comprehensive WPI criteria and methodology.

✓ Does the company demonstrate a clear and transparent commitment to equal pay? 

“We also understand the importance of providing equitable experiences, inclusive of pay, based on their experience, expertise and position. (We even signed the Equal Pay Pledge two years ago to keep making progress.) It’s not just a goal or policy; it’s about living out our company values and treating all team members fairly.

Here’s something we’re especially proud of: Our latest pay audit of U.S. team members confirmed that, taking into account relevant factors such as position, tenure and location, Target pays team members equitably, regardless of gender, race or ethnicity.

Our work on ensuring pay equity goes back nearly a decade and we are proud to share the results from our latest audit—and we’re committed to the ongoing effort across hiring, promotion, pay and all our talent practices required to achieve these consistent results.”

Ref: “How Target Ensure Pay Equity”, 2018 paragraphs 2-4

✓ Does the company perform an annual analysis of gender pay equity and pay disparities? 

“We believe in paying team members equitably, regardless of gender, race, or ethnicity, and we regularly review the pay data of U.S. team members to confirm that we are doing so.”

Ref: 2022 Target Annual Report, pg. 5

“We also use other internal measures, such as a comprehensive annual pay audit process, to ensure compensation is fair and equitable across the organization.”

Ref: “Target Statement on the White House Equal Pay Pledge”, 2016, para.2

✓ Do female employees earn at least 95% of what their male counterparts earn?

“In 2022, we again measured whether team members were being paid the same for doing the same or similar work. Our analysis compared those team members who are in the same or similar role, location or are otherwise comparable. These pay equity analyses showed that, domestically, women were paid 100% of the pay for men…We also analyzed median pay. Our median pay analyses were unadjusted, meaning they did not take into account whether the team members being compared are in the same or similar role, location or are otherwise comparable. While the numbers will fluctuate, those analyses show that, globally, women are paid 98% of the median pay for men.”

Ref: 2023 Sustainability and Governance Report, pg. 36

✘ Does the company demonstrate a commitment to actively attracting, retaining, and/or promoting women within the organization? 

Information regarding this criterion was unavailable or incomplete.

✓ Does the company provide professional development programs designed specifically for female employees? 

“Target Elevate is a by-invite only platform for women in technology to come together to find new ways to learn, excel, disrupt and include. It’s a sisterhood of women professionals who lean on each other and grow together…From the time that we launched Target Elevate in 2020, our goal has been to make it a platform that empowers our participants to advance in their leadership journey. We are committed to providing one-on-one mentorship sessions with inspiring global leaders from Target to equip you with the tools you need to accelerate your growth.”

Ref:Target Elevate

“Why are there so few women in technology? Target Elevate, a flagship conference created by Target in India, was the result of this simple question. Several conversations later, we identified the need for a dedicated platform for women in technology to come together and create the changes they aspire to see. Target Elevate is that platform. It helps women excel at what they do, empowers them with the skills to push the boundaries of what’s possible, learn from each other and create a support system to succeed together.”

Ref: About-Target Elevate 

✓ Does the company provide professional development programs designed specifically for diverse employees?

“REACH is aligned to four key areas of focus: Helping our Black team members build meaningful careers and experience success at every level, creating an environment where our Black guests feel more welcome and see themselves represented at Target, finding new ways to support Black communities across the country and working with policymakers on key issues that impact Black Americans…We also simultaneously announced various systemic changes to increase retention and advancement, activating a network of mentors and sponsors, and ensuring our benefits and partnerships drive wellness and safety for Black team members.”

Ref: REACH para. 2 and 4

“To help our many communities and stakeholders reach their full potential, we have relationships with a variety of student and professional organizations including National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA), Management Leaders for Tomorrow (MLT), National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), AnitaB.org’s Grace Hopper Celebration conference and many others.”

Ref: Sustainability and Governance Report, pg. 42

✓ Does the company offer a formal mentoring program to support the career advancement of all female employees? 

“Target Elevate is a by-invite only platform for women in technology to come together to find new ways to learn, excel, disrupt and include. It’s a sisterhood of women professionals who lean on each other and grow together…From the time that we launched Target Elevate in 2020, our goal has been to make it a platform that empowers our participants to advance in their leadership journey. We are committed to providing one-on-one mentorship sessions with inspiring global leaders from Target to equip you with the tools you need to accelerate your growth.”

Ref: Target Elevate

“From the time that we launched Target Elevate in 2020, our goal has been to make it a platform that empowers our participants to advance in their leadership journey. We are committed to providing one-on-one mentorship sessions with inspiring global leaders from Target to equip you with the tools you need to accelerate your growth. ”

Ref: Target Elevate

“Why are there so few women in technology? Target Elevate, a flagship conference created by Target in India, was the result of this simple question. Several conversations later, we identified the need for a dedicated platform for women in technology to come together and create the changes they aspire to see. Target Elevate is that platform. It helps women excel at what they do, empowers them with the skills to push the boundaries of what’s possible, learn from each other and create a support system to succeed together.”

Ref: About-Target Elevate

✓ Does the company offer a formal mentoring program to support the career advancement of diverse employees?  

“Target Elevate is a by-invite only platform for women in technology to come together to find new ways to learn, excel, disrupt and include. It’s a sisterhood of women professionals who lean on each other and grow together…From the time that we launched Target Elevate in 2020, our goal has been to make it a platform that empowers our participants to advance in their leadership journey. We are committed to providing one-on-one mentorship sessions with inspiring global leaders from Target to equip you with the tools you need to accelerate your growth.”

Ref: Target Elevate

“Why are there so few women in technology? Target Elevate, a flagship conference created by Target in India, was the result of this simple question. Several conversations later, we identified the need for a dedicated platform for women in technology to come together and create the changes they aspire to see. Target Elevate is that platform. It helps women excel at what they do, empowers them with the skills to push the boundaries of what’s possible, learn from each other and create a support system to succeed together.”

Ref: About-Target Elevate

✘ Does the company have policies and programs in place to actively recruit female candidates?

Information regarding this criterion was unavailable or incomplete.

✓ Does the company have policies and programs in place to actively recruit diverse candidates? 

“DE&I is integrated throughout our business and our work to recruit, hire and advance a team that represents the diverse guests we serve.”

Ref: 2023 Sustainability and Governance Report, pg. 41

“In addition, we’ve created intentional strategies and connection points with historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) along with our many other recruiting pipelines.”

Ref: 2023 Sustainability and Governance Report, pg. 42

✓ Does the company demonstrate a commitment to providing support and/or time off for women with children?

“We also offer a free backup care benefit that includes an industry leading 20 uses per year for in-center childcare or in home child or elder care.”

Ref: 2023 Sustainability and Governance Report, pg. 38

✓ Does the company provide child care support for employees?  

“We also offer a free backup care benefit that includes an industry leading 20 uses per year for in-center childcare or in home child or elder care.”

Ref: 2023 Sustainability and Governance Report, pg. 38

✘ Does the company offer subsidized child care?

Information regarding this criterion was unavailable or incomplete.

✓ Does the company offer paid maternity leave for birthing parents?

“We offer paid family leave after one year of service to birthing team members, partners/spouses of birthing team members, team members who are adding to their family via adoption, surrogacy or fostering, and team members caring for an immediate family member with a serious health condition. The four weeks of paid time supplements other leave and time off that may be available to our team members through our benefits. Our paid family leave policy provides job-protected leave for eligible part-time, full-time and salaried team members.”

Ref: 2023 Sustainability and Governance Report, pg.38

✓ Does the company provide paid parental leave that extends beyond birthing parents to include surrogacy, adoption, and paternity leave?

“We offer paid family leave after one year of service to birthing team members, partners/spouses of birthing team members, team members who are adding to their family via adoption, surrogacy or fostering, and team members caring for an immediate family member with a serious health condition. The four weeks of paid time supplements other leave and time off that may be available to our team members through our benefits. Our paid family leave policy provides job-protected leave for eligible part-time, full-time and salaried team members…Team members can receive reimbursement up to $10,000 for adoption (per child) or surrogacy fees (per attempt).”

Ref: 2023 Sustainability and Governance Report, pg. 38

✓ Does the company demonstrate a commitment to supporting the health benefits of its female employees?

“We offer all our part-time, full-time and salaried team members competitive benefits packages…We provided additional and extensive resources that make it easier for team members to navigate and understand what’s available to them in support of their physical and mental health, family needs and financial well-being…Starting in 2022, most Target medical plans now offer virtual physical therapy at no cost, as well as enhanced fertility benefits, doula reimbursement and acupuncture coverage.”

Ref: 2023 Sustainability and Governance Report, pgs 36-37

✓ Does the company offer women-specific health benefits for female employees?

“Starting in 2022, most Target medical plans now offer virtual physical therapy at no cost, as well as enhanced fertility benefits, doula reimbursement and acupuncture coverage…Team members can receive reimbursement up to $10,000 for adoption (per child) or surrogacy fees (per attempt).”

Ref: 2023 Sustainability and Governance Report, pgs 37-38

✓ Does the company have a policy listing prohibited behaviors, such as harassment and retaliation?

“Target believes that each individual deserves respect and a workplace that’s free from harassment…Harassment based on protected status in any form, is illegal and will not be tolerated…Examples of harassment include, but are not limited to, intimidation, bullying, stalking, verbal or physical aggression, harassment or coercion… When behavior interferes with someone’s work or creates a hostile or offensive environment, it may be harassment, particularly if it’s based on a person’s race, color, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship status, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information or any other protected class…Stay alert for sexual harassment. This type of harassment includes asking someone out repeatedly, sexual advances or requests for sexual favors, inappropriate touching, sharing of sexual materials/jokes, continuing to make sexual advances after being refused or any other inappropriate verbal or physical conduct.”

Ref: Code of Ethics, pg 12

✓ Does the company mandate all employees to undergo harassment and discrimination training?

“Where permitted by law, Target offers unconscious bias training for all team members and a yearlong training series for HR business partners that promotes equity.”

Ref: 2023 Sustainability and Governance Report, pg. 41

“All Target team members receive annual Ethics training and are required to sign of on their responsibility to comply with Target’s Code of Ethics… As part of our new hire and annual ethics training, team members are made aware of the Code of Ethics, employee handbook and reporting channels.”

Ref: 2023 Sustainability and Governance Report, pg. 50

“We condemn all hate, racism and violence, and offer anti-racism experiences, immersions and trainings for all team members where permitted by law, as well as anti-harassment and safety awareness trainings.”

Ref: 2023 Sustainability and Governance Report, pg. 51

✓ Does the company have a defined harassment policy that includes promptly addressing reported incidents?

“All Target team members receive annual Ethics training and are required to sign of on their responsibility to comply with Target’s Code of Ethics…If a Target team member violates the Code, that team member may face disciplinary action, up to and including termination.”

Ref: 2023 Sustainability and Governance Report, pg. 50

✓ Does the company demonstrate a commitment to helping external stakeholders address gender equality issues?

“We believe we have a responsibility to work to remove structural barriers and help create access for those who have been left out. When we shift power to communities, they can more meaningfully participate in the economy, creating a world where all families can thrive.

Serving as a learning lab, the Target Foundation is committed to enabling shared prosperity and opportunity by upholding equity and inclusion for all communities. Guided by our deep commitment to community, we invest in leaders, organizations, coalitions and networks that expand economic opportunity equitably, enabling communities to determine their own futures. We support strategies that center and elevate the voices, stories and leadership of individuals and communities that have historically been silenced.”

Ref: Overview Target Foundation Community Support

✓ Does the company offer and support initiatives that promote gender equality in the community?

✓ Does the company demonstrate a commitment to helping internal stakeholders/employees address gender equality issues?

“Driven by our Target Forward vision, we are committed to a sustainable and inclusive supply chain that is just and equitable for all workers. By 2025, Target plans for 100% of owned brand suppliers to have policies and programs to advance gender equity.”

Ref: 2023 Sustainability and Governance Report, pg. 60

✓ Does the company offer equity-focused trainings, speaker programs, or events for employees?

“Additionally, we conducted 20 training sessions to over 3,000 attendees on our sustainability initiatives, including topics such as digital wages and gender equity for an additional 3,500+ training hours of content.”

Reference: 2023 Sustainability and Governance Report,pg. 59

*Our Index utilizes binary measurements, where ✓ represents a score of 1, and ✘ represents a score of 0.

*All links are valid as of April 2024