Four NJ companies named among World’s Most Ethical

Four New Jersey-headquartered firms have been deemed some of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for 2023 by Ethisphere. 

The Phoenix-based research company, which measures corporate ethical standards, announced the complete list of 135 honorees March 13. The winners of the 17th annual ranking span 19 countries and 46 industries. 

The New Jersey-headquartered honorees are: 

• Anywhere Real Estate Inc. – Madison 
• Prudential Financial Inc. – Newark 
• Wyndham Hotels & Resorts – Parsippany  
• Zoetis Inc. – Parsippany 

“People look to businesses today to lead on important issues and to do right by all of their stakeholders,” Ethisphere CEO Erica Salmon Byrne said in a statement. “It takes vision and values to explain your why and create the programs and practices that turn those statements into actions. We are thrilled to celebrate this year’s honorees as part of an exclusive group dedicated to leading by example on business integrity.” 

According to Ethisphere, the 2023 Ethics Index, the collection of publicly traded companies recognized as recipients of this year’s World’s Most Ethical Companies designation, outperformed a comparable index of large-cap companies by 13.6 percentage points over a five-year period. 

Salmon Byrne added, “This outperformance is the result of the kinds of practices that lead a company to be on our list – investments in their people, culture, and communities. We see in this data that, over time, these practices lead to stronger financial performances by businesses.” 

How were they judged? 

Ethisphere’s proprietary Ethics Quotient assessment process includes more than 200 data points on culture; environmental and social practices; ethics and compliance activities; governance; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and initiatives that support a strong value chain.  

Changes for 2023 included new and revised questions regarding board and C-suite diversity practices, ambassador/liaison programs, acquisition practices, post-investigation discipline, ESG materiality and reporting practices and human rights, according to Ethisphere.

What the honorees are saying 

Anywhere 

The only residential real estate company included on the list, the Madison-headquartered firm formerly known as Realogy made the ranking for the 12th year in a row. 

“Excellence and doing what’s right are core principles for Anywhere given our substantial role in supporting one of life’s most meaningful and significant transactions: buying and selling a home,” Anywhere CEO and President Ryan Schneider said in a March 13 statement. “I am proud that Anywhere consistently achieves the World’s Most Ethical Companies designation, a tribute to our people’s strong commitment to leading with integrity as we work together with our affiliated agents and franchise owners to empower everyone’s next move.” 

Shacara Delgado, Anywhere chief ethics and compliance officer, added that the recognition is “a complete reflection of our employees’ dedication to honesty, integrity, fairness, diversity, and ethics.” 

Prudential 

The Newark-based financial corporation was named to the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the ninth straight year.

“To be recognized for nine consecutive years as a company committed to doing business the right way is a testament to our commitment to living by our principles and core values,” Chairman and CEO Charles Lowrey said. “Fulfilling our purpose and vision, and our promises to our customers and stakeholders, requires that we work with integrity, every day.”

Prudential General Counsel Ann Kappler added the repeat recognition “makes me proud of our employees’ commitment to ethical behavior. It’s also a reflection of how imperative it is to continue to lead with integrity in today’s environment.”

Wyndham 

The Parsippany company noted it is the only major hotel business to be honored for 2023, and it marks the third time it has made the list. 

“Our goal at Wyndham is to make hotel travel possible for all, and it’s important that the global community we foster for our team members, franchisees, guests and partners has its foundation in ethics and values,” Paul Cash, Wyndham general counsel and chief compliance officer, said in a March 13 statement. “Our values of Integrity, Accountability, Inclusivity, Caring and Fun drive all business decisions we make and allow us to make an impact on the communities where we exist.” 

Zoetis 

The Parsippany-based firm, which was also named to Fortune’s 2022 Change the World list, noted it is one of three pharmaceutical companies and the only standalone animal health company included on Ethisphere’s ranking. 

“We are truly honored to be recognized by Ethisphere on their prestigious World’s Most Ethical Companies list,” Zoetis CEO Kristin Peck said the day the list was released. “Our culture is firmly grounded in our Core Beliefs, which guide our achievements, actions and behaviors every day. I am especially proud of our colleagues around the world, whose uncompromising commitment to integrity is at the heart of everything we do to nurture the world and humankind by advancing animal care.”