Randstad
Material Topics
ESRS 2 – General Disclosures
GOV-1The role of the administrative, management and supervisory bodiesReported
Randstad's governance structure is built around its core values established in the company's early days: to know, to serve, to trust, striving for perfection, and the simultaneous promotion of all interests. These values represent the foundation of our culture and guide every decision we make and every action we take.
The company operates under a two-tier board structure with an Executive Board and Supervisory Board. The Executive Board is responsible for the management of the company and the realization of its objectives. The Supervisory Board supervises the policies of the Executive Board and the general affairs of the company and its affiliated enterprises.
Our strong foundation consists of our core values and five strategic imperatives. Our five strategic pillars under the Partner for Talent strategy are: growth through specialization, talent and equity at the heart, delivery excellence, randstad talent platform, and best team in the industry.
Randstad's governance framework ensures that long-term value creation is at the core of the company, as established by founder Frits Goldschmeding. This commitment to long-term and sustainable value creation is embedded in Randstad's core values and continues to form the foundation of Randstad's strong, people-focused culture.
GOV-2Information provided to and sustainability matters addressed by the undertaking's administrative, management and supervisory bodiesReported
The company has established structures to address sustainability matters through its governance bodies. Randstad's sustainability framework helps structure the sustainability strategy and reflects the commitment to addressing societal needs by focusing on three key pillars: promoting a fair labor market, fostering equity at work, and supporting the green transition.
Through daily interaction with clients and talent, and continuous dialogue with governments, employers and labor organizations, the company's ambition is to contribute to global societal needs positively. The commitment to social responsibility sets a standard for others to follow.
Randstad is strongly committed to equity, supported by a global Equity Committee, which acts as an internal executive advisory board. The Equity Committee and Executive Leadership Team are responsible for driving and promoting inclusive leadership behaviors at Randstad.
GOV-3Integration of sustainability-related performance in incentive schemesReported
Randstad's rewards structure is transparent and aligned with both personal achievements and company success, ensuring that hard work is recognized and valued. Remuneration is based on real outcomes, including behaviour and professional development, and assessed regularly. Annual remuneration processes account for external market developments to remain competitive.
To encourage employees' affiliation with Randstad and enable them to share in success, the company incentivizes employees to participate in a share purchase plan. In 2024, the program was relaunched to give employees further flexibility. For senior leadership, Randstad offers long-term incentives, including a performance share plan, to retain the best people and to reward sustained performance.
The development of people is a shared responsibility. The performance management process is based on the Great Conversations program, covering all employees. As well as regular business and performance reviews, employees and managers meet at least once a quarter for a constructive, future-focused conversation focusing on development areas and ambitions, as well as output.
GOV-4Statement on due diligenceReported
Randstad is committed to preventing or mitigating adverse human rights impacts caused by or linked to operations and services, and addressing such impacts if they occur. As a signatory to the UN Global Compact, the company upholds its Ten Principles on human rights, labor rights, environmental protection, and anti-corruption. The Human Rights Policy defines responsibilities and expectations for talent as well as for employees and external stakeholders regarding human rights issues.
As part of the onboarding program, all Randstad employees are familiarized with business principles and policies. Specifically, they learn about the Human Rights Policy, which aims to prevent violations in operations, services and business relationships with employees, talent, contractors, the self-employed and other stakeholders. All new hires receive information related to the Human Rights Policy in their induction program, and all employees must complete mandatory compliance and refresher training in human rights.
Randstad actively focuses on supporting groups at risk of exclusion, including women, youth, people with disabilities, the LGBTQI+ community, older workers, refugees, migrants and locally-defined underrepresented groups.
GOV-5Risk management and internal controls over sustainability reportingReported
The Business Risk & Audit function performs audits on specific financial, operational compliance and non-financial information. The company has further improved controls around non-financial reporting, both at the local and global level, to increase alignment with strategic focus.
Operating companies report on non-financial data every quarter through the financial system in accordance with global non-financial reporting guidelines. At Group level, the data is consolidated, validated, and discussed with management. At both local and global level, the governance has been further enhanced, data reviews are performed and, in the event of irregularities, discussed with the relevant data and content owners.
Protecting the personal data and privacy of employees, talent, clients and suppliers is a top priority. The company has rigorous policies and procedures to protect the business from cyber threats and to protect data, and continually reviews and refines these. To address the complexities of collecting global data amid varying local privacy legislations, an innovative pilot scheme was launched in 2024 focusing on empowering individuals to voluntarily self-identify, enabling meaningful insights while respecting privacy.
SBM-1Strategy, business model and value chainReported
Randstad is the world's leading talent company, a partner of choice to talent and clients. The company is committed to providing equitable opportunities to people from all backgrounds and helps them remain relevant in the rapidly changing world of work. Randstad has a deep understanding of the labor market and helps clients to create the high-quality, diverse and agile workforces they need to succeed. Randstad was founded in 1960 and is headquartered in Diemen, the Netherlands.
Randstad aspires to be the world's most equitable and specialized talent company. As a global market leader with truly local expertise, the company is passionate about fostering equity not only within its culture but also across the society and labor market it serves. Core values that have stood the test of time since the company was founded more than 60 years ago are sustained.
Business Model and Value Chain:
Randstad partners with clients to deliver end-to-end talent solutions ranging from recruitment to skilling, advisory, coaching and outplacement. The company also provides deep insights-led understanding, responding to four specific areas of client need: operational, professional, digital and enterprise.
The specialization approach means talent and clients receive the focused expertise they are looking for both locally and globally. Randstad understands their industries, markets and skills needs, and is uniquely positioned to transform their workforce so they can meet current and future business imperatives and ambitions.
Four Specializations:
Randstad Operational: Connects talent with businesses that need critical pre-qualified operational roles in the right quantity at the right time. Key areas supported are logistics; manufacturing; supervision and individual management; hospitality, retail and events; contact center and customer service.
Randstad Professional: Offers comprehensive services backed by the Randstad Talent Platform, global footprint, deep insights into market dynamics and specialized recruiting processes. Places talent across finance and accounting; office and administrative support; HR and legal; sales and marketing; healthcare and education; and engineering.
Randstad Digital: A trusted digital enablement partner that facilitates accelerated transformation for businesses by providing global talent, capacity and solutions across specialized domains. Serves clients in more than 39 markets, supported by a global delivery model that includes global talent centers in Canada, India and Romania.
Randstad Enterprise: Supports top global clients across all strategic services. Delivers strategic talent solutions across the talent life cycle – from talent acquisition to employee engagement and outplacement support – via Randstad Sourceright and Randstad RiseSmart.
Value Creation Model: Randstad operates via an extensive global network, ensuring both best-in-class local services as well as global delivery. The company leverages the best expertise for talent and client needs. Randstad Operational and Randstad Professional solutions are executed via the vast market network and Randstad Digital and Randstad Enterprise solutions via the global delivery model, supported by digital marketplaces seamlessly connecting clients and talent.
SBM-2Interests and views of stakeholdersReported
Randstad actively engages with a wide range of stakeholders including clients, talent, employees, shareholders, governments, policymakers, trade unions, and employers' organizations at local and international levels.
Client Engagement: Randstad measures client satisfaction through its Customer Delight program launched in 2018, collecting feedback from talent and clients to better understand the transactional and latent drivers of satisfaction. In 2024, the average client satisfaction score was 8.2 out of 10. The company has established global client satisfaction tools in six markets, giving real-time insight into customer satisfaction and ensuring quality issues can be addressed more effectively and quickly.
Talent Engagement: Over 30,000 new talent register with Randstad daily, on top of 50,000 daily returning talent visits. The average talent satisfaction score in 2024 was 8.4. Increased talent engagement via specialized talent centers has resulted in overall higher satisfaction scores.
Employee Engagement: Randstad actively tracks engagement with employees via regular surveys at least four times each year, with results shown in a real-time dashboard. The engagement score in 2024 was 7.7 with a healthy participation rate of 88%. Markets can tailor questions and employees can share comments or have conversations anonymously.
Social Dialogue and Policy Engagement: As part of the Partner for Talent strategy, Randstad aims to play a leading role in achieving necessary social innovation worldwide by voicing views in influential settings and taking part in dialogue with institutional stakeholders. Through position papers, the company contributes to societal debate such as fair and quality work for all and the future impact of AI on jobs and work.
Randstad is in favor of strong social dialogue (negotiations and consultation between trade unions, employers and government representatives) and collective labor agreements in countries where this is relevant and institutionalized. Collective bargaining is one of the key elements of the human rights policy.
Stakeholder Value Creation: The company's ambition is to contribute to global societal needs positively by promoting a fair labor market, fostering equity at work and supporting the green transition. Through daily interaction with clients and talent, and continuous dialogue with governments, employers and labor organizations, Randstad seeks to create value for all stakeholders.
SBM-3Material impacts, risks and opportunities and their interaction with strategy and business modelReported
Material Impacts, Risks and Opportunities:
Randstad has identified several key trends and challenges that present both risks and opportunities for the business:
Talent Scarcity: This remains a significant global challenge impacting the global labor market. Declining birth rates, low unemployment rates, coupled with larger proportions of the workforce retiring mean that the number of economically active workers has been squeezed. Since peaking in 2008, the number of working age people (15 to 64) in OECD countries has been declining.
Technological Innovation: Businesses are embracing technological innovation with artificial intelligence going mainstream, boosting efficiency and productivity across industries. The IMF found almost 40% of global employment is exposed to AI, which is replacing some roles and augmenting others. AI is creating new jobs and boosting demand for AI skills.
Changing Workforce Needs: Workforce needs and talent expectations continue to evolve with talent redefining what they want from work. Gen-Z workers bring distinct expectations to the workplace, with 43% having quit a job that didn't align with their personal lives, and 57% having left due to a company's political stance.
Green Transition: The green economy is expanding rapidly, creating demand for new, specialized skills. Randstad's specialization approach helps develop skilled talent in this sector, addressing the needs of emerging technologies, organizations and markets.
Regulatory Environment: The increasing variety of forms of work needs to be regulated appropriately. Many countries still maintain unjustified restrictions on flexible work arrangements, and according to the ILO, 61% of the global workforce are employed informally, without access to any form of security in their career.
Strategic Response: Randstad's Partner for Talent strategy directly addresses these material issues through five strategic pillars:
- Growth through specialization to address specific talent needs
- Talent and equity at the heart to ensure equitable opportunities
- Delivery excellence to meet client demands
- Randstad talent platform for digital transformation
- Best team in the industry to attract and retain talent
The company's specialization into four areas (operational, professional, digital, and enterprise) is designed to address structural talent scarcity and changing client needs while positioning Randstad to capture growth opportunities in high-demand sectors.
IRO-1Description of the processes to identify and assess material impacts, risks and opportunitiesReported
Randstad's approach to identifying and assessing material impacts, risks and opportunities is integrated into its strategic planning and risk management processes. The company continuously monitors global trends and market conditions that affect the talent industry.
Key Assessment Areas:
Market Analysis: Randstad regularly analyzes the global HR services market, which is estimated at € 585 billion in 2024. The company tracks market share, competitive positioning, and emerging opportunities across different service segments.
Trend Monitoring: The company identifies and assesses key industry trends including:
- Talent scarcity and changing talent expectations
- Clients looking for more specialized support
- Digitization & AI adoption
- Economic and geopolitical uncertainties
- Demographic shifts like aging populations and low birth rates
- The transition to a green economy
Stakeholder Engagement: Through continuous dialogue with clients, talent, governments, employers and labor organizations, Randstad gathers insights on material issues affecting the labor market and talent industry.
Data and Insights: The company leverages proprietary data insights, extensive market knowledge, and in-depth understanding of operational workforce dynamics to forecast staffing demand and identify emerging needs.
Regional Assessment: Randstad monitors regulatory developments across its 39 markets, tracking changes in labor legislation, collective bargaining agreements, and industry-specific regulations that could impact operations.
Strategic Integration: Material impacts, risks and opportunities are integrated into the five-pillar Partner for Talent strategy, ensuring that identified issues are addressed through strategic initiatives around specialization, equity, delivery excellence, technology platform development, and team building.
The assessment process is ongoing and informs strategic decision-making, capital allocation, and operational planning across all business segments and geographical markets.
IRO-2Disclosure requirements in ESRS covered by the undertaking's sustainability statementReported
Based on the materiality assessment and content of this annual report, Randstad has determined the following ESRS topics to be material and covered in its sustainability statements:
ESRS 2 - General Disclosures: All general disclosure requirements are covered as they provide the foundational information about governance, strategy, and materiality assessment processes.
ESRS E1 - Climate Change: Covered due to Randstad's commitment to supporting the green transition and reducing environmental impact. The company reports on emissions reduction goals and progress towards net-zero targets.
ESRS S1 - Own Workforce: Covered comprehensively as employees are central to Randstad's business model. The company reports extensively on workforce characteristics, diversity, training, health and safety, and employee engagement.
ESRS G1 - Business Conduct: Covered due to the importance of ethical business practices in the talent industry, including anti-corruption measures, supplier relationships, and business ethics policies.
Topics Assessed as Not Material: Based on the business model and sector analysis, the following topics appear to have been assessed as not material:
- ESRS E2 (Pollution) - Limited direct pollution impact from office-based operations
- ESRS E3 (Water and Marine Resources) - Not material for office-based business model
- ESRS E4 (Biodiversity and Ecosystems) - Limited direct impact on biodiversity
- ESRS E5 (Resource Use and Circular Economy) - Office-based operations have limited material resource use impacts
- ESRS S2 (Workers in the Value Chain) - While relevant, may not be assessed as material compared to own workforce
- ESRS S3 (Affected Communities) - Limited direct community impacts from office operations
- ESRS S4 (Consumers and End-Users) - Business model focuses on B2B services rather than end consumers
The sustainability statements section of this report (pages 90-141) provides detailed disclosure on the material topics identified through the company's materiality assessment process.
E1 – Climate Change
E1-6Gross Scopes 1, 2, 3 and Total GHG emissionsReported
| Scope | CO2e metric ton (x 1,000) | 2024 | 2023 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 46.9 | 57.4 | (18%) | |
| Scope 2 | 0.9 | 1.2 | (25%) | |
| Scope 3 | 155.9 | 179.9 | (13%) |
S1 – Own Workforce
S1-1Policies related to own workforceReported
Randstad's policies related to its own workforce are comprehensive and built on the foundation of core values and commitment to equity.
Core Values: Established in the company's early days, the core values represent the foundation of Randstad's culture and guide every decision and action:
- To know: Being experts who understand clients, talent, suppliers and business partners
- To serve: Succeeding through excellent service, exceeding core requirements
- To trust: Being respectful, valuing relationships and treating people well
- Striving for perfection: Always seeking to improve and innovate
- Simultaneous promotion of all interests: Seeing the bigger picture and taking social responsibility seriously
Human Rights Policy: The Human Rights Policy aims to prevent violations in operations, services and business relationships with employees, talent, contractors, the self-employed and other stakeholders. All new hires receive information related to the Human Rights Policy in their induction program, and all employees must complete mandatory compliance and refresher training in human rights.
Equity Policy: The Equity Policy states Randstad's approach and commitment to equity. The company is committed to be an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive while bringing their best selves to work, along with authentic perspectives and experiences. Focus areas include gender equity, disability inclusion, LGBTQI+ awareness and locally underrepresented groups.
Health and Safety Policy: The global Health and Safety Policy and wellbeing guidelines specify how the company reduces the risk of physical and mental health issues and promotes healthy habits. The core aim is zero fatalities and continual decline of harm. The integrated health and safety framework identifies, monitors and reviews responsibilities and accountabilities at client sites.
Other Workforce Policies:
- Flexibility with intentionality program: Covering various life stages with different leave and flexible working conditions
- Data Security and Privacy policies: Protecting employee data and maintaining privacy standards
- Performance management through Great Conversations program: Ensuring regular development-focused discussions
- Learning and Development policies: Embedded at local, regional and global levels with coaching and mentoring available to all employees
S1-2Processes for engaging with own workforce and workers' representatives about impactsReported
Randstad engages with its own workforce and workers' representatives through multiple structured processes and channels.
Employee Engagement Surveys: Randstad actively tracks engagement with employees via regular surveys and trains managers to leverage the insights created. The company measures and monitors employee engagement at least four times each year. Markets can tailor questions and employees can share comments or have conversations anonymously with their manager or with management in general. Results are shown in a real-time dashboard, helping to identify areas where appropriate action can be taken and positive change championed. In 2024, the engagement score was 7.7 with a healthy participation rate of 88%.
Great Conversations Program: The development of people is a shared responsibility through the Great Conversations program, covering all employees. As well as regular business and performance reviews, employees and managers meet at least once a quarter for a constructive, future-focused conversation. Dialogues and goals focus on development areas and ambitions, as well as output. Two-way feedback between managers and team members is encouraged to open up constructive discussions.
Business Resource Groups (BRGs): Six global Business Resource Groups provide employees with spaces to connect, collaborate, and drive equity and belonging in the workplace. These groups focus on gender equity, disability inclusion, LGBTQI+ awareness and locally underrepresented groups.
Social Dialogue and Collective Bargaining: Randstad is in favor of strong social dialogue (negotiations and consultation between trade unions, employers and government representatives) and collective labor agreements in countries where this is relevant and institutionalized. Collective bargaining is one of the key elements of the human rights policy. The company has formal agreements with relevant trade unions on health and safety topics.
Governance Bodies: Randstad is strongly committed to equity, supported by a global Equity Committee, which acts as an internal executive advisory board. The Equity Committee and Executive Leadership Team are responsible for driving and promoting inclusive leadership behaviors at Randstad.
Real-time Feedback Mechanisms: The company has established mechanisms for ongoing dialogue, with results shown in real-time dashboards. This enables quick identification of areas requiring attention and allows for prompt action to champion positive change.
S1-3Processes to remediate negative impacts and channels for own workforce to raise concernsReported
Randstad has established comprehensive processes to remediate negative impacts and provide channels for its workforce to raise concerns.
Misconduct Reporting: The company maintains a robust misconduct reporting system. In 2024:
- Total number of misconduct complaints: 465 (2023: 400)
- Misconduct complaints (partially) proven: 70 (2023: 51)
- Score awareness of misconduct reporting: 8.4 (2023: 8.6)
Anonymous Reporting Channels: Employees can share comments or have conversations anonymously with their manager or with management in general through the regular engagement survey process. Markets can tailor questions to address local concerns and issues.
Human Rights Remediation: As a signatory to the UN Global Compact, Randstad upholds its Ten Principles on human rights, labor rights, environmental protection, and anti-corruption. The company is committed to preventing or mitigating adverse human rights impacts caused by or linked to operations and services, and addressing such impacts if they occur.
Health and Safety Concerns: The integrated health and safety framework identifies, monitors and reviews responsibilities and accountabilities at client sites. Specialized health and safety managers provide guidance, advise clients and assess health and safety risks as an integral part of the Health and Safety Policy. All employees, talent and others under company control are expected to comply with all relevant legal and regulatory requirements.
Business Principles Compliance: All Randstad employees are familiarized with business principles and policies as part of the onboarding program. This includes mandatory compliance and refresher training in human rights, providing a foundation for understanding appropriate channels for raising concerns.
Continuous Monitoring: The company continuously monitors the understanding of business principles score (8.4 in 2024 vs 8.5 in 2023) to ensure employees are aware of policies and procedures for raising concerns and seeking remediation.
Data Privacy and Security: To address concerns related to data protection, Randstad has rigorous policies and procedures to protect the business from cyber threats and to protect data, which are continually reviewed and refined.
S1-4Taking action on material impacts on own workforce, and approaches to managing material risks and pursuing material opportunities related to own workforce, and effectiveness of those actionsReported
Randstad takes comprehensive action on material impacts on its own workforce through systematic approaches to managing risks and pursuing opportunities.
Equity and Inclusion Actions: Randstad is strongly committed to equity, supported by a global Equity Committee acting as an internal executive advisory board. The company has established a dedicated taskforce to accelerate progress towards more balanced representation of women in leadership roles. The percentage of female leaders rose from 37.7% in 2023 to 40.8% in 2024. Six global Business Resource Groups provide spaces for employees to connect, collaborate, and drive equity and belonging in the workplace.
Learning and Development: Ongoing training and development is essential to Randstad's success and core to the employee value proposition. Learning and Development is embedded at local, regional and global levels, with coaching and mentoring available to all employees regardless of seniority. In 2024, 47,300 employees were trained (2023: 48,200) with 772,900 employee training hours (2023: 806,200).
Performance Management: The Great Conversations program covers all employees with regular business and performance reviews. Employees and managers meet at least once a quarter for constructive, future-focused conversations focusing on development areas and ambitions. Two-way feedback between managers and team members is encouraged.
Health and Safety Management: The company maintains an integrated health and safety framework with specialized health and safety managers providing guidance and assessing risks. The core aim is zero fatalities and continual decline of harm. Formal agreements exist with relevant trade unions on health and safety topics.
Reward and Recognition: Randstad ensures employees are rewarded fairly for their contributions through transparent rewards structures aligned with personal achievements and company success. Remuneration is based on real outcomes, including behaviour and professional development. The company offers share purchase plans and long-term incentives for senior leadership.
Employee Engagement: Employee engagement is actively tracked via regular surveys at least four times per year, with results shown in real-time dashboards. In 2024, the engagement score was 7.7 with 88% participation rate. This enables identification of areas requiring action and positive change.
Effectiveness Measures:
- Employee engagement score: 7.7 (2023: 7.9)
- Understanding of business principles score: 8.4 (2023: 8.5)
- Women in management positions: 50% (2023: 50%)
- Women in senior leadership positions: 40% (2023: 38%)
S1-5Targets related to managing material negative impacts, advancing positive impacts, and managing material risks and opportunitiesReported
Randstad has established specific targets related to managing material negative impacts, advancing positive impacts, and managing material risks and opportunities related to its own workforce.
Gender Equity Targets: By 2030, Randstad aims to achieve gender parity in senior leadership positions. Progress is being made with women in senior leadership positions increasing from 38% in 2023 to 40% in 2024. The company has established a dedicated taskforce to accelerate progress towards more balanced representation of women in leadership roles.
Employee Engagement Targets: The company maintains targets around employee engagement, measured through regular surveys at least four times per year. The 2024 engagement score was 7.7 with a healthy participation rate of 88%, measured against true benchmarks.
Health and Safety Targets: The core aim is zero fatalities and continual decline of harm. This target is supported by the integrated health and safety framework and specialized health and safety managers across operations.
Training and Development Targets: Ongoing training and development is positioned as essential to Randstad's success. In 2024, 47,300 employees received training with 772,900 employee training hours delivered. Coaching and mentoring are available to all employees regardless of seniority.
Equal Pay Targets: Under the guidance of the Equity Committee, a task force has been created to focus on equal pay. As part of the commitment to fair practices, several markets have chosen to apply for local equal pay certification.
Business Conduct Targets: The company targets high scores for understanding of business principles (8.4 in 2024) and awareness of misconduct reporting (8.4 in 2024), with all employees required to complete mandatory compliance and refresher training.
Diversity and Inclusion Targets: The company has established focus areas including gender equity, disability inclusion, LGBTQI+ awareness and locally underrepresented groups, supported by six global Business Resource Groups.
These targets are integrated into the company's strategic planning and regularly monitored through various metrics and KPIs reported in the annual sustainability statements.
S1-6Characteristics of the undertaking's employeesReported
| Characteristic | 2024 | 2023 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average number of corporate employees | 41,400 | 43,780 | (5%) |
| Proportion of women in organization | 67% | 67% | (0%) |
| Proportion of women in management positions | 50% | 50% | 1% |
| Proportion of women in senior leadership positions | 40% | 38% | 5% |
S1-8Collective bargaining coverage and social dialogueReported
Randstad maintains comprehensive collective bargaining coverage and engages in social dialogue across its operations.
Collective Bargaining Approach: Randstad is in favor of strong social dialogue (negotiations and consultation between trade unions, employers and government representatives) and collective labor agreements in countries where this is relevant and institutionalized. Collective bargaining is one of the key elements of the company's human rights policy.
Health and Safety Agreements: The company has formal agreements with relevant trade unions on health and safety topics. These agreements support the implementation of the global Health and Safety Policy and wellbeing guidelines.
Social Dialogue Framework: As part of the Partner for Talent strategy, Randstad aims to play a leading role in achieving necessary social innovation worldwide by voicing views in influential settings and taking part in dialogue with institutional stakeholders such as governments, policymakers, trade unions and employers' organizations at local and international level.
Industry Engagement: Randstad actively engages in social dialogue to promote fair and secure employment practices and advocates for clear, equitable labor regulations in all markets. The company supports the development of appropriate regulation that provides a level playing field for all stakeholders to provide decent work and income, equal opportunities, and adequate social security for workers.
Regional Examples: In the Netherlands, Dutch staffing industry federations ABU and NBBU, together with all relevant trade unions, reached an agreement for a new future pension scheme in November 2023. The improved version will be implemented by 2026 in advance of transitioning to new pension regulations in 2027.
Global Standards: As a signatory to the UN Global Compact, Randstad upholds its Ten Principles on human rights, labor rights, environmental protection, and anti-corruption. The company respects and supports the UN Global Compact principles in its core processes and toward all stakeholders.
Policy Integration: Social dialogue and collective bargaining considerations are integrated into the company's Human Rights Policy, which defines responsibilities and expectations regarding human rights issues for employees and external stakeholders.
S1-9Diversity metricsReported
Gender Diversity Metrics:
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proportion of women in organization | 67% | 67% | 0% |
| Proportion of women in management positions | 50% | 50% | 1% |
| Proportion of women in senior leadership positions | 40% | 38% | 5% |
Diversity and Inclusion Progress: Randstad has established a dedicated taskforce to accelerate progress towards more balanced representation of women in leadership roles. The percentage of female leaders has risen from 37.7% in 2023 to 40.8% in 2024.
Target: By 2030, Randstad aims to achieve gender parity in senior leadership positions.
Focus Areas: The company's diversity efforts focus on several key areas:
- Gender equity
- Disability inclusion
- LGBTQI+ awareness
- Locally underrepresented groups
Support Structures: Six global Business Resource Groups (BRGs) provide employees with spaces to connect, collaborate, and drive equity and belonging in the workplace. These groups support the advancement of diversity and inclusion across the organization.
Equal Pay Initiative: Under the guidance of the Equity Committee, a task force has been created to focus on equal pay. As part of the commitment to fair practices, several markets have chosen to apply for local equal pay certification.
Data Collection: The company is addressing challenges in collecting global diversity data due to differing local privacy legislation by launching an innovative pilot scheme in 2024. This initiative focuses on empowering individuals to voluntarily self-identify, enabling meaningful insights while respecting privacy.
Governance: Randstad is strongly committed to equity, supported by a global Equity Committee, which acts as an internal executive advisory board. The Equity Committee and Executive Leadership Team are responsible for driving and promoting inclusive leadership behaviors throughout the organization.
S1-12Persons with disabilitiesReported
Randstad is committed to supporting people with disabilities as part of its equity and inclusion initiatives.
Disability Inclusion Focus: Disability inclusion is one of the key focus areas in Randstad's Equity Policy. The company recognizes that the risk of exclusion is real for people with disabilities, whether they are entering, re-entering or staying active in the workforce.
Global Business Resource Groups: Six global Business Resource Groups (BRGs) provide employees with spaces to connect, collaborate, and drive equity and belonging in the workplace, including specific focus on disability inclusion.
Placement Services: While specific corporate employee disability metrics are not detailed in the available content, the company demonstrates its commitment through its services to external talent. In 2024, Randstad placed 11,600 people with disabilities in employment, showing the company's expertise and commitment to disability inclusion.
Equity Committee Oversight: The global Equity Committee acts as an internal executive advisory board responsible for driving and promoting inclusive leadership behaviors, including those related to disability inclusion.
Policy Framework: The company's Human Rights Policy and broader equity framework specifically address the needs of underrepresented groups, including people with disabilities, aiming to prevent violations and promote inclusive practices in operations and services.
Training and Development: As part of the comprehensive onboarding program, all employees receive information related to the Human Rights Policy and must complete mandatory compliance and refresher training, which includes understanding of inclusive practices for people with disabilities.
The company's approach to disability inclusion reflects its broader commitment to being the world's most equitable and specialized talent company, ensuring that all employees, regardless of their background or abilities, have opportunities to contribute, grow and succeed.
S1-13Training and skills development metricsReported
Training and Skills Development Metrics:
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of employees trained | 47,300 | 48,200 | (2%) |
| Number of employee training hours | 772,900 | 806,200 | (4%) |
Learning and Development Framework: Ongoing training and development is essential to Randstad's success and core to the employee value proposition. Learning and Development is embedded at local, regional and global levels, with coaching and mentoring available to all employees, regardless of seniority.
Training Programs: Locally, programs are developed by markets, often in partnership with leading business schools. Training programs are competency-based and focus on:
- Leadership development
- Digital fluency
- Sales skills
- Job-related technical skills
- Interpersonal or 'soft' skills
For field positions, dedicated training programs focus on operational skills and specific knowledge required for the job.
Delivery Methods: Randstad utilizes a range of training formats including:
- Classroom learning
- Hybrid learning
- E-learning
- Gamification
Frits Goldschmeding Academy: At the global level, the award-winning Frits Goldschmeding Academy offers state-of-the-art leadership programs, online and hybrid learning experiences. Designed in partnership with world-leading business schools such as TIAS, INSEAD, Singapore Management University and Vlerick Business School, these programs are supported by the executive leadership team and senior leaders as sponsors.
Manager Involvement: People managers are expected and incentivized to reinforce their teams' learning journeys, ensuring that development is integrated into day-to-day operations.
Career Development: To offer employees more opportunities and build Randstad's talent bench strength, the company offers experiential and stretch assignments, supporting employees through coaching and mentoring.
Specialization Training: In 2024, the company launched new specialization sales training aimed at enhancing business growth and client satisfaction, reflecting the implementation of the four-specialization framework across all markets.
Mandatory Compliance Training: All employees must complete mandatory compliance and refresher training in human rights, business principles, and other key policies as part of both onboarding and ongoing development.
S1-15Work-life balance metricsReported
Randstad promotes work-life balance through comprehensive policies and programs designed to support employee wellbeing across various life stages.
Flexibility with Intentionality Program: The global Health and Safety Policy and wellbeing guidelines include a 'flexibility with intentionality' program covering various life stages with different leave and flexible working conditions. This program provides structured flexibility to meet diverse employee needs throughout their careers.
Employee Value Proposition: Randstad has finalized a new global Employee Value Proposition to enhance attraction and retention, providing a unified framework that includes work-life balance considerations as part of the overall employment experience.
Engagement and Wellbeing: The company's engagement approach recognizes the importance of work-life balance in overall employee satisfaction. Regular engagement surveys (conducted at least four times per year) help identify areas where work-life balance improvements can be made, with results shown in real-time dashboards.
Health and Wellbeing Support: The company advances employee wellbeing through:
- Various leave policies adapted to different life stages
- Flexible working conditions
- Services and products to enhance overall employee wellness
- Online platforms for healthy lifestyle promotion
- Health checks and wellness programs
Performance Management Integration: The Great Conversations program includes discussions about work-life balance as part of regular performance and development conversations. Employees and managers meet at least once a quarter for constructive, future-focused conversations that can address work-life balance needs.
Global Policy Framework: Local markets can adapt work-life balance policies to meet regional requirements while maintaining consistency with global standards. This allows for culturally appropriate and legally compliant work-life balance provisions across Randstad's 39 markets.
Support for Life Stages: The flexibility program specifically recognizes that employee needs change across different life stages, providing appropriate support whether employees are starting careers, raising families, caring for aging parents, or transitioning toward retirement.
While specific quantitative work-life balance metrics (such as average working hours, overtime rates, or uptake of flexible working arrangements) are not detailed in the available content, the company demonstrates a comprehensive policy framework supporting work-life balance across its global workforce.
S1-16Compensation metrics (pay gap and total compensation)Reported
Randstad maintains comprehensive compensation and reward policies designed to ensure fair and competitive remuneration across its workforce.
Reward and Recognition Framework: Randstad ensures employees are rewarded fairly for their contributions through a transparent rewards structure aligned with both personal achievements and company success. The system ensures that hard work is recognized and valued.
Remuneration Principles: Remuneration is based on real outcomes, including:
- Behavior and professional development
- Personal achievements
- Company success
- External market developments
Compensation is assessed regularly, with annual remuneration processes accounting for external market developments to remain competitive.
Equal Pay Commitment: A global HR team has continued working on collecting and sharing best practice and approaches to ensure equal pay in key HR processes. The company aims for balanced hiring, promotion and salary review processes. Under the guidance of the Equity Committee, a task force has been created to focus on equal pay, and several markets have chosen to apply for local equal pay certification.
Employee Share Participation: To encourage employees' affiliation with Randstad and enable them to share in the company's success, employees are incentivized to participate in a share purchase plan. In 2024, the program was relaunched to give employees further flexibility.
Long-term Incentives: For senior leadership, Randstad offers long-term incentives, including a performance share plan, designed to:
- Retain the best people
- Reward sustained performance
- Align leadership compensation with long-term company success
Performance-based Compensation: The compensation framework is integrated with the Great Conversations performance management program, ensuring that compensation discussions are part of regular development-focused conversations between employees and managers.
Transparency and Fairness: The rewards structure is designed to be transparent, with clear links between performance, contribution, and compensation. This approach supports the company's broader equity commitment and helps ensure fair treatment across all employee groups.
While specific quantitative pay gap metrics are not detailed in the available content, the company demonstrates a comprehensive approach to compensation management with strong emphasis on equity, transparency, and performance-based rewards.
S1-17Incidents, complaints and severe human rights impactsReported
Randstad maintains comprehensive systems to track and address incidents, complaints and human rights impacts related to its workforce.
Misconduct Reporting Metrics:
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total number of misconduct complaints | 465 | 400 | 16% |
| Misconduct complaints (partially) proven | 70 | 51 | 37% |
| Score awareness of misconduct reporting | 8.4 | 8.6 | (2%) |
Reporting Mechanisms: Employees can report concerns and misconduct through multiple channels:
- Direct reporting to management
- Anonymous reporting through engagement surveys
- Formal misconduct reporting system
- Conversations with managers during regular review processes
Human Rights Framework: As a signatory to the UN Global Compact, Randstad upholds its Ten Principles on human rights, labor rights, environmental protection, and anti-corruption. The company is committed to preventing or mitigating adverse human rights impacts caused by or linked to operations and services, and addressing such impacts if they occur.
Policy Integration: The Human Rights Policy defines responsibilities and expectations for employees and external stakeholders regarding human rights issues. All new hires receive information related to the Human Rights Policy in their induction program, and all employees must complete mandatory compliance and refresher training in human rights.
Business Principles Compliance: The company tracks understanding of business principles with a score of 8.4 in 2024 (compared to 8.5 in 2023), ensuring employees are aware of policies and appropriate channels for raising concerns.
Response and Remediation: The company has established processes to investigate and address proven misconduct complaints. With 70 complaints (partially) proven out of 465 total complaints in 2024, the company demonstrates active investigation and response to reported issues.
Continuous Monitoring: Regular engagement surveys and feedback mechanisms enable continuous monitoring of workplace issues and employee concerns. Results are shown in real-time dashboards, allowing for prompt identification and response to emerging issues.
Training and Awareness: All employees receive mandatory compliance and refresher training covering human rights, business principles, and reporting procedures, ensuring awareness of how to report incidents and access support when needed.
G1 – Business Conduct
G1-1Business conduct policies and corporate cultureReported
Randstad's business conduct policies and corporate culture are built on strong foundational values and comprehensive governance frameworks.
Core Values: Established in the company's early days, Randstad's core values represent the foundation of its culture and guide every decision and action:
- To know: Being experts who understand clients, talent, suppliers and business partners
- To serve: Succeeding through excellent service, exceeding core requirements
- To trust: Being respectful, valuing relationships and treating people well
- Striving for perfection: Always seeking to improve and innovate
- Simultaneous promotion of all interests: Seeing the bigger picture and taking social responsibility seriously
Business Principles Framework: All Randstad employees are familiarized with business principles and policies as part of the onboarding program. The company tracks understanding of business principles with a score of 8.4 in 2024 (2023: 8.5).
Human Rights and Ethical Standards: As a signatory to the UN Global Compact, Randstad upholds its Ten Principles on human rights, labor rights, environmental protection, and anti-corruption. The Human Rights Policy defines responsibilities and expectations for employees and external stakeholders regarding human rights issues.
Compliance and Training: All new hires receive information related to the Human Rights Policy in their induction program, and all employees must complete mandatory compliance and refresher training in human rights and business principles.
Equity and Inclusion Culture: Randstad is strongly committed to equity, supported by a global Equity Committee. The company's Equity Policy states its approach to being an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive while bringing their best selves to work. Six global Business Resource Groups provide spaces for employees to connect, collaborate, and drive equity and belonging.
Integrity in Operations: The company brings integrity and expertise to each engagement through commitment to high standards of business ethics. Client data is handled securely with privacy kept to the forefront, in line with Data Security and Privacy policies.
Continuous Improvement Culture: The culture emphasizes continuous innovation and excellence. The company operates at the intersection of real conversation and technology, using the best that technology has to offer while maintaining focus on human relationships and service excellence.
Social Responsibility: The culture embeds social responsibility as a core principle, with the company seeing its business as needing to benefit society as a whole. This is reflected in the simultaneous promotion of all interests principle and the commitment to contributing positively to global societal needs.
G1-2Management of relationships with suppliersReported
Randstad maintains comprehensive policies and practices for managing relationships with suppliers as part of its business conduct framework.
Sustainable Procurement:
- Share of sustainable procurement spend: 50% (2023: 43%), representing a 16% increase
- This demonstrates the company's commitment to working with suppliers who meet sustainability and ethical standards
Supplier Relationship Principles: As part of the core values framework, Randstad applies its principles of 'to know, to serve, to trust' in supplier relationships:
- To know: Being experts who understand suppliers and business partners, recognizing that details often count the most
- To trust: Being respectful, valuing relationships and treating suppliers well
- Simultaneous promotion of all interests: Ensuring supplier relationships benefit society as a whole
Ethical Standards for Suppliers: As a signatory to the UN Global Compact, Randstad upholds its Ten Principles on human rights, labor rights, environmental protection, and anti-corruption in its supplier relationships. The Human Rights Policy defines expectations for external stakeholders, including suppliers, regarding human rights issues.
Business Principles Application: The company's business principles and policies, which all employees are trained on, guide how Randstad manages supplier relationships. This includes maintaining high standards of business ethics and integrity in all supplier engagements.
Procurement Governance: The increase in sustainable procurement spend from 43% to 50% indicates systematic tracking and management of supplier performance against sustainability criteria. This suggests established processes for evaluating and selecting suppliers based on both commercial and sustainability factors.
Global Standards: Randstad's global presence across 39 markets requires consistent supplier management standards that comply with local regulations while maintaining global ethical standards. The company's commitment to human rights and anti-corruption principles extends to its supply chain relationships.
Long-term Partnership Approach: Consistent with the core value of building life-long relationships based on trust, Randstad appears to take a partnership approach to supplier relationships rather than purely transactional relationships, as evidenced by the focus on sustainable procurement practices.
G1-3Prevention and detection of corruption and briberyReported
Randstad has established comprehensive prevention and detection measures for corruption and bribery as part of its business conduct framework.
UN Global Compact Commitment: As a signatory to the UN Global Compact, Randstad upholds its Ten Principles on human rights, labor rights, environmental protection, and anti-corruption. This commitment forms the foundation of the company's anti-corruption approach.
Business Principles and Training: All Randstad employees are familiarized with business principles and policies as part of the onboarding program, which includes anti-corruption training. All employees must complete mandatory compliance and refresher training covering anti-corruption measures.
Human Rights Policy Integration: The Human Rights Policy defines responsibilities and expectations for employees and external stakeholders regarding ethical conduct, which includes anti-corruption measures. This policy aims to prevent violations in operations, services and business relationships.
High Standards of Business Ethics: Randstad brings integrity and expertise to each engagement through its commitment to high standards of business ethics. This commitment is embedded in the company's core values and guides decision-making across all operations.
Compliance Monitoring: The company tracks understanding of business principles with a score of 8.4 in 2024 (2023: 8.5), indicating systematic monitoring of employee awareness of ethical standards and anti-corruption policies.
Misconduct Reporting System: Randstad maintains a comprehensive misconduct reporting system that can capture corruption-related concerns:
- Total number of misconduct complaints: 465 (2023: 400)
- Misconduct complaints (partially) proven: 70 (2023: 51)
- Score awareness of misconduct reporting: 8.4 (2023: 8.6)
Global Implementation: With operations in 39 markets, Randstad applies consistent anti-corruption standards across all jurisdictions while ensuring compliance with local anti-corruption regulations and requirements.
Supply Chain Standards: The company's commitment to sustainable procurement (50% of procurement spend) includes ethical standards that would encompass anti-corruption requirements for suppliers and business partners.
Continuous Improvement: The company's core value of 'striving for perfection' drives continuous improvement in anti-corruption measures and business ethics practices across all operations and relationships.
G1-4Incidents of corruption or briberyReported
Randstad tracks incidents of corruption and misconduct through its comprehensive reporting and investigation system.
Misconduct Reporting Metrics:
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total number of misconduct complaints | 465 | 400 | 16% |
| Misconduct complaints (partially) proven | 70 | 51 | 37% |
| Score awareness of misconduct reporting | 8.4 | 8.6 | (2%) |
Reporting and Investigation Framework: While the company does not specifically break down corruption vs. other misconduct incidents in the available data, the misconduct reporting system captures all forms of ethical violations including potential corruption and bribery incidents.
Investigation Process: Of the 465 total misconduct complaints received in 2024, 70 were (partially) proven after investigation, representing approximately 15% of reported cases. This indicates a systematic investigation process for all reported misconduct.
Awareness and Prevention: The score awareness of misconduct reporting of 8.4 demonstrates that employees are well-informed about how to report potential misconduct, including corruption and bribery incidents.
Multiple Reporting Channels: Employees can report incidents through:
- Direct reporting to management
- Anonymous reporting through engagement surveys
- Formal misconduct reporting system
- Regular performance review conversations
UN Global Compact Compliance: As a signatory to the UN Global Compact, Randstad is committed to upholding anti-corruption principles and has established systems to monitor and address any violations.
Training and Prevention: All employees receive mandatory compliance training on business principles and anti-corruption measures as part of their induction and through regular refresher training, which helps prevent incidents from occurring.
Global Consistency: The reporting system operates across all 39 markets where Randstad operates, ensuring consistent standards for identifying, reporting, and addressing corruption and misconduct incidents worldwide.
The increase in reported misconduct complaints from 400 to 465 may indicate improved awareness and willingness to report rather than an increase in actual misconduct, as supported by the stable awareness score and systematic investigation process.
G1-5Political influence and lobbying activitiesReported
Randstad engages in political influence and lobbying activities as part of its commitment to shaping fair labor market policies and promoting industry standards.
Social Innovation and Policy Advocacy: As part of the Partner for Talent strategy, Randstad aims to play a leading role in achieving necessary social innovation worldwide by voicing views in influential settings and taking part in dialogue with institutional stakeholders such as governments, policymakers, trade unions and employers' organizations at local and international levels.
Policy Contribution: Through position papers, Randstad contributes to societal debate on topics such as:
- Fair and quality work for all
- The future impact of AI on jobs and work
- Labor market flexibility and regulation
- Social protection for workers
Regulatory Engagement: Randstad continues to be an advocate of enabling a flexible, agile and diverse workforce while promoting fair and quality work for all. The company actively engages with regulators to:
- Improve global employment participation
- Align labor market regulation with the reality of today's world of work
- Provide unrestricted access to social security and skilling
- Remove unjustified restrictions on flexible work arrangements
Industry Leadership: Randstad's founder, Frits Goldschmeding, was the honorary chairman of the ABU (the Dutch industry association for private employment agencies) after serving on its board for many years. This demonstrates the company's long-standing commitment to industry advocacy.
International Standards Promotion: Randstad supports the ratification of ILO Convention 181 on Private Employment Agencies, which defines minimum standards for agency work and recruitment. The World Employment Confederation and ILO are continuously promoting further ratifications, with the aim of achieving 45 ratifications by 2025.
Social Dialogue Support: Randstad is in favor of strong social dialogue (negotiations and consultation between trade unions, employers and government representatives) and collective labor agreements where relevant and institutionalized. This includes active participation in policy discussions to fine-tune and customize employment arrangements.
Transparency and Ethics: All political influence and lobbying activities are conducted in accordance with Randstad's commitment to high standards of business ethics and as a signatory to the UN Global Compact principles on anti-corruption.
Multi-stakeholder Approach: Randstad's approach to political influence involves working with multiple stakeholder groups including governments, trade unions, employer organizations, and international bodies to promote balanced and fair labor market policies that benefit all participants in the labor market.