Our 1st Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Report

Building Belonging

Our Premier DE&I Report opens a window into our intensified DE&I efforts: our commitment, aspirations, culture, and initiatives, as well as programs and partnerships we nurture beyond our business.

Our Commitment

In 2021, we reflected — and then acted. We pledged to our people, partners, patients and communities to intensify our DE&I efforts, set bold aspirations, develop solid plans and hold ourselves accountable. In 2022, we completed the rollout of our new strategy and showed that we are on track to achieve our 2030 goals.

Our DE&I Report

Read our Premier Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Report: Building Belonging, Advancing Human Progress.

Download Report

Download DE&I Country Map

Garijo Belen Cut Out S Garijo Belen Cut Out S

Our world is beautifully diverse — and so is our company. We believe that championing a diverse workforce helps us better understand the needs of our stakeholders, exceed our customers’ expectations, stay economically and socially sustainable and, most of all, drive the kind of groundbreaking innovation that advances human progress. 

Belén Garijo

Chair of the Executive Board and CEO, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany

Facts & Figures

  • 64%

    people leaders in inclusive leadership workshop since program start in 2021

  • 60+

    internal DE&I employee groups and networks

  • 4

    generations working for the future of science & technology

  • 38%

    women in leadership, on track towards gender parity aspiration

  • 43%

    women in the workplace

  • <1.5%

    minimal adjusted gender pay gap

  • 66

    countries

  • 139

    nationalities

  • 21%

    underrepresented groups in the U.S. leadership

Picture of Renee Connolly, Chief Diversity Equity & Inclusion Officer of Merck Picture of Renee Connolly, Chief Diversity Equity & Inclusion Officer of Merck

We are working to create an environment where all can belong, grow and thrive… today, tomorrow and for the next 350 years.

Renee Connolly

Chief Diversity Equity & Inclusion Officer, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany

Get a snapshot of how we are welcoming everyone as they are and cultivating diversity, equity & inclusion by watching our video!

Select Awards and Recognitions

Individual recognition

  • 2022 Honorary Award for outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion (BeyondGenderAgenda) - Belén Garijo, Chair of the Executive Board and CEO of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany

Company awards

  • World's Top Female Friendly Companies - Forbes
  • Europe's 100 Most Inclusive Companies - Financial Times
  • 100% Score on Corporate Equality Index (CEI) - fourth consecutive year
  • Best Places to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality - Human Rights Campaign
  • Top Large Companies in LGBTQ+ Diversity Performance Index - Uhlala Group
  • No. 6 in German Diversity Index 2023 - BeyondGenderAgenda
  • No. 17 out of 100 in BCG Gender Diversity Study - Boston Consulting Group & Technical University of Munich
Picture of Khadija Ben Hammada, Chief Human Resources Officer of Merck Picture of Khadija Ben Hammada, Chief Human Resources Officer of Merck

Empathetic leaders connect, listen, inspire and motivate. They are inclusive, self-aware and capable of engaging beyond classic work topics. They take the pulse of the team, understand their needs and make sure they feel heard. They recognize that we all want to work with purpose and we all want to work successfully.

Khadija Ben Hammada

Chief Human Resources Officer, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany

Our Path Forward

As we embark on the next phase of our journey to create a workplace where everyone feels welcome, valued and appreciated, we are committed to being intentional and accountable in executing our DE&I strategy. We recognize the importance of seeking diverse perspectives and engaging in honest and courageous conversations to deliver the best solutions for our patients, customers and communities. From our senior leaders to our front-line employees, we will model inclusive behaviors and take a stand against bias.

Contact us

What do you think? How can we better accelerate positive change in our company or with our customers and partners? Do you have any other feedback for us? Reach out and tell us about it with an email to NADiversity@emdgroup.com.

Renee Connolly

Chief DE&I Officer