GRI 1: FOUNDATION 2021
3. Reporting in Accordance With the GRI Standards
This document is organized by GRI Disclosures and serves as Abt's 2022 GRI Content Index.
This Report has not been prepared in accordance with the GRI Standards, Comprehensive option but includes content Abt has chosen to disclose publicly at this time. Abt has voluntarily followed GRI reporting guidelines since our inaugural Mission Impact Report, published June 2018, and plans to extend our reported disclosure threshold each year. Our 2022 index has been updated to follow GRI's 2021 updated disclosure framework.
GRI 2: GENERAL DISCLOSURES 2021
1. The Organization and Its Reporting Practices
Abt Associates, Inc. is a privately held professional services firm headquartered in Rockville, Maryland USA. Our employee stock ownership program (ESOP) was established in 1975, just ten years after the company was founded. It is one of the oldest ESOPs in the U.S. and no one individual has a significant share of ownership.
Abt Associates serves more than 50 countries and territories in the regions of Australia, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Americas, South and Central Asia, the Middle East and North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa. We have ten corporate locations in the U.S., two in Australia, and one in the U.K.
Abt Associates, Inc. includes our parent company—Abt Associates, headquartered in the U.S.—as well as our Abt Australia and Abt Britain entities.
This report spans multiple time frames depending on the topic in focus. This includes the 2021 calendar year, Abt’s 2022 fiscal year (April 2021 to March 2022) and our clients’ fiscal year designations. All relevant timeframes are noted throughout the report.
Abt issue our Mission Impact Report on an annual basis in June. Please send comments or questions about this Report to impact@abtassoc.com.
Abt does not engage in external assurance for GRI reporting at this time. Our global greenhouse gas emissions inventory is externally verified by a qualified third-party and reported to The Climate Registry biennially.
2. Activities and Workers
See the About Us section in the 2022 Mission Impact Report
Abt Associates is a private professional services firm that works on U.S. domestic policy and international development. Abt uses data and bold thinking to improve the quality of people's lives worldwide. From increasing crop yields and combatting infectious disease, to ensuring safe drinking water and promoting access to affordable housing—and more—we partner with clients and communities to tackle their most complex challenges. Our diverse staff of more than 3,600 operate on the ground in more than 50 countries alongside our clients, enabling us to tailor our solutions to meet their needs and the needs of those they serve.
The Abt supply chain is a diverse mix of professional services providers offering expertise in Education, Environment & Energy, Food Security & Agriculture, Governance & Justice, Health, Housing, Communities & Asset Building and Workforce & Economic Mobility. Beyond basic operational requirements like IT, Vehicle support, and office needs, Abt secures sizeable quantities of insecticide, spray and personal protective equipment for use in operations internationally. While this carries moderate costs, the transaction count is relatively small in comparison to the services work performed.
The supply chain is stable with minimal disruption. Predominantly services-based awards present little impact to the supply chain. Abt regularly starts and ends contracts both domestically and internationally and faces typical challenges partnering with subcontractors to perform elements of the statement of work that Abt deems necessary.
Where Abt does engage suppliers for materials in support of our contracts, the volumes of procurement are insignificant to the broader services aspect of the work performed. One notable exception is our USAID contract for Vector Control. It engages several key suppliers globally for specific product needs to support spray operations.
Associated UNGC Principle: 6
Associated SDG: 8
Total Number of Employees FY22: 3,630
Percent of Abt global employees by employment contract and sex:
Percent of Abt global employees by employment contract and region:
Percent of Abt global employees by employment type and sex:
To establish these values, Abt looks at average global headcount across the fiscal year ([first day FY22 - last day FY22]/2).
3. Governance
Associated SDGs: 5, 16
Abt's Board of Directors is comprised of twelve members, including the Chairman of the Board and Abt's Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Board members sit across four committees: Finance and Audit, Nominating and Governance, Human and Reputational Capital, and Compensation. Our Human and Reputational Capital Committee is updated quarterly on topics pertaining to social, environmental, and economic impacts.
The Board of Directors is comprised of 11 external, non-staff individuals. Abt's CEO is the only executive member of the Board. All board members with the exception of the CEO are independent from Abt Associates and may serve a maximum of 15 years or until they reach the age of 75.
25% of Abt's Board of Directors self-identify as non-white and 33% as female.
With expertise ranging from diplomacy and healthcare policy to global economic development and finance, this team of luminaries sets the company’s strategic direction and accountability in addressing the most challenging economic, social, and environmental issues of our time.
Associated SDGs: 5, 16
The Nominating and Governance Committee of the Board nominates Directors based on their independence and diversity, as well as their experience and expertise in a variety of areas including economic, environmental, and social topics. In evaluating each candidate, the Committee considers factors such as willingness and ability to devote sufficient time to his or her duties as a Director, willingness to leverage relationships to attract top and diverse talent, a confident personality, tolerance for ambiguity, and an informed and reasoned approach to complex business problems.
Associated SDG: 16
Gary Perlin, retired Chief Financial Officer of Capital One Financial Corporation, currently serves as Chairman of the Board.
Associated SDG: 16
Goals pertaining to climate action and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are developed by Abt's Global Sustainability Program and approved by the Chief Executive Officer and executive leadership team.
Abt employs an Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Framework based on global risk management standards, including COSO and ISO 31000. The objective of the ERM program is to identify and address risks that could prevent Abt from achieving our strategy. We also use the frameworks and tools of our ERM program to manage unanticipated risks when they arise. Identified risks--such as operations in fragile states, cybersecurity, climate change, and regulatory compliance--are ranked based on risk exposure and management preparedness, and appropriate action is taken. Key risk indicators are regularly monitored.
Abt engages an outside firm to conduct this process. The firm brings collaboration tools that collect the views of a wide cross-section of Abt leaders about the risks that impact our strategy and also provides perspective about how other peer firms evaluate these risks. This perspective allows Abt to understand how well our ERM process does in identifying top risks and whether Abt is focusing on the right risks when comparing our results to the market. Once a year, following our annual ERM process, our General Council and Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer presents findings from the review to the Board of Directors.
Accountability and direction for strategic issues—including those pertaining to economic, social, and environmental topics—are ultimately set by our Board of Directors, specifically the Human and Reputational Capital Committee. Chief executives then delegate oversight of actions accordingly to Vice Presidents, Directors, and Senior Managers, with regular reporting of progress and challenges to both executive and board-level leaders.
Our Senior Manager of Impact and Sustainability regularly reports to our executive leaders and the Board of Directors on Abt's sustainability strategy, priorities, goals, and performance.
Abt's sustainability reporting is formally reviewed and approved by our Chief Executive Officer, Kathleen Flanagan.
Associated SDG: 16
Annually, each Director updates his or her conflict of interest form. The Board Secretary works with Abt's General Counsel and Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer to ensure that mitigation plans are in place if conflicts of interest are identified.
Associated SDG: 4
Annually, the Nominating and Governance Committee reviews and updates—as needed—the Board training plan, which addresses a number of important topics relevant to Abt's business. Topics include but are not limited to, government contracting and the associated regulatory and legislative environment, cyber security, and more.
Annually, each Board Committee conducts an anonymous and independent assessment of their work, composition, and performance against their stated duties. The results of those assessments are provided to the committee chairs and reviewed/discussed at a committee meeting, where potential actions and/or changes are identified and an implementation plan developed to address any findings. Potential actions include changes to committee composition, work plan, prepatory materials, etc.
Associated SDG: 16
Abt is committed to attracting and retaining individuals who demonstrate high performance and commitment to its mission, clients, and the communities we serve. As a performance based company, Abt rewards employees for the value of their accomplishments and contributions. Abt’s compensation philosophy is a key part of its total rewards package used to convey how employees are rewarded for their contributions. Abt is committed to fair and equitable pay practices for equivalent work. As an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer, this includes all protected classifications: color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), marital status, military status, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information. To ensure equity, pay differences are evaluated on a yearly basis using a regression analysis. It is Abt’s practice that any differences in pay are due to bona fide business factors such as:
Competencies, education, qualifications, certifications, relevant experience, skills, seniority, performance, merit, any collective bargaining, contractual requirements, or business, organizational requirements, and geographical cost of labor.
The Compensation Department including the Senior Director of Total Rewards, and the Chief Operating Officer, oversee the process for determining the scope of the Compensation Policy for Abt. External consultants are procured for the advisement of executive compensations.
Ratio of annual total compensation - highest paid individual to median annual total compensation for all employees (excluding the highest-paid individual):
As this is Abt's first year completing this disclosure, a ratio of the percentage increase in annual total compensation is not available since we do not have data from a previous year.
The data was compiled by adding an exchange rate using Oanda currency converter as of April 20, 2022 and the exchange rates used by Abt Associates, Inc. to convert all full-time employee (FTE) annual salaries to USD. The type of compensation used to calculate the ratio is base salary. The ratios are listed in USD currency for all employees.
A ratio was provided for all legal entities of Abt Associates, Inc. including Abt Classic, Abt United Kingdom (UK), and Abt Australia (AUS). Each ratio was also provided based on the salaries of all employees in each legal entity combined.
The title of the highest paid individual in Abt Associates (U.S.) is President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The title of the highest paid individual in Abt Australia is theManaging Director. The title of the highest paid individual in Abt Britain is the Managing Director. The title of the highest paid individual across all entities is our President and CEO.
4. Strategy, Policies, and Practices
See the Letter from Our CEO in the 2022 Mission Impact Report
Associated UNGC Principle: 10
Associated SDG: 16
To maintain the highest standards of business conduct for Abt employees, the company established an employee Code of Conduct/ Abt provides regular Ethics and Compliance training to all staff globally as well as other resources such as the anonymous Ethics and Compliance Helpline and the Audit Committee Helpline.
When Abt employees have questions about the Code of Conduct or are concerned about conduct that they believe violates Abt Associates’ standards or the law, we encourage them to talk to their manager. They may also contact:
A higher level of management
Human Resources
General Counsel / Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer
Regardless of the person they choose to talk to, the company is committed to responding to each situation quickly and completely. We have helplines available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and do our due diligence to ensure each concern is thoroughly reviewed
The Precautionary Principle is a core element of how we pursue our mission. We systematically evaluate potential risks and benefits to human health and the environment across every engagement and ensure mitigative measures are employed when the risk potential is evident. In addition, it is our policy to conduct research in a manner that protects and safeguards the rights and welfare of human subjects and is in accordance with applicable international, federal, state, and local regulations. In order to accomplish this policy, Abt Associates has an Institutional Review Board tasked with reviewing our research in accordance with applicable requirements.
Abt's Freedom From Harassment policy prohibits harassment of any kind. Harassment violates Abt’s Code of Conduct which clearly states that all employees shall be treated with honesty, integrity, and trust. Harassment includes, but is not limited to bullying, sexual harassment, sexual abuse. Our commitment covers all internationally recognized human rights covered by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Abt policies are confidential and are not made publicly available. Policies are approved by the highest level in the department and differ depending on the subject matter. They are owned by the Chief Human Resources Officer, General Counsel and Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer, and Digital Marketing Director. Our code of conduct establishes standards that all employees in all offices are expected to follow. While local customs in the countries where we work may vary, all our employees are held to our corporate standards for ethics and behavior.
In addition, in 2021 Abt established a Supplier Code of Conduct, which outlines the standards all suppliers doing business with Abt are expected to follow. More information can be found here: ref="#" data-url="https://www.abtassociates.com/work-with-us/supplier-resources" data-target="_blank" data-custom-classes="link-style">https://www.abtassociates.com/work-with-us/supplier-resources
Associated UNGC Principle: 10
Associated SDG: 16
Abt's Code of Conduct established standards of business conduct that are applied uniformly at all Abt Associates locations and followed by all employees. References in the code to “employees” are intended to cover not only Abt staff but also advisers, consultants, contractors, and other temporary workers. The Code of Conduct applies to all Abt employees and members of our Board of Directors worldwide, including all subsidiaries. Employees or Directors cannot use a contractor, agent, consultant, broker, or other third party to perform any act prohibited by law or by Abt Associates policy.
We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of business conduct and ethics. Our Code of Conduct reflects the business practices and principles of behavior that support this commitment. We expect every employee and director to read and understand our Code of Conduct and its application to the performance of their business responsibilities. In terms of procurement, Abt Associates shall source and procure goods and services matching the needs of the business and mission with the right supply market, through effective and efficient use of funds in compliance with corporate policies and procedures, applicable U.S. or other Government Public Law, and client or donor procurement regulations under all contracts and awards.
Abt additionally implemented our Supplier Code of Conduct in 2021, which sets out the minimum expectations and standards of business required by all suppliers when doing business with or on behalf of Abt Associates. More information can be found here: ref="#" data-url="https://www.abtassociates.com/work-with-us/supplier-resources" data-target="_blank" data-custom-classes="link-style">https://www.abtassociates.com/work-with-us/supplier-resources
Associated UNGC Principles: 1, 8
Associated SDGs: 1, 5, 8, 16
Abt Associates is an organization with strong values of responsibility and integrity. Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics contains general guidelines for conducting business with the highest standards of ethics.
When employees have questions or want to report any concerns regarding questionable accounting or compliance matters, or concerns regarding issues of non-compliance, potential fraud, Code of Conduct violations, or other such violations by company officers, the CEO or a member of the Board of Directors, they can use the Audit Committee Helpline:
Phone: 888-309-1558
Both are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Abt places an importance on receiving feedback and continuing to improve its processes with clients and employees alike. We take feedback into consideration for updates to existing procedures.
Associated UNGC Principle: 10
Associated SDG: 16
See Our Ethics & Governance section in the 2022 Mission Impact Report
We employ a number of measures to ensure staff behave in accordance with our standards and in compliance with regulations that govern our work.
These include:
A comprehensive Code of Conduct.
Policies on business processes and procedures that are easily accessible to all employees.
Robust training on policies regarding corrupt practices, anti-trafficking, freedom from harassment and non-retaliation.
Two 24-hour anonymous helplines for reporting any potential misconduct, one monitored by management and one monitored by the Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee.
One WhatsApp phone line managed by Abt's Director of Ethics & Compliance
For more information, see Disclosure 2-25.
AcademyHealth
Association for Public Policy Analysis & Management
Global Compact Network USA
Humentum (Inside NGO)
IntraHealth International Inc.
Professional Services Council
Society for Health Communications
Society for International Development
The Climate Registry
United States Energy Association
U.S. Global Leadership Campaign
World Trade Center Institute, Inc.
GRI 200: ECONOMIC DISCLOSURES
GRI 201: Economic Performance
Associated UNGC Principles: 6, 7
Associated SDGs: 8, 13
Abt continually assesses portfolio risks and opportunities, including market and reputational risks and opportunities related to climate change. Abt manages risks and opportunities by expanding our capabilities, expanding the markets and countries we serve and by winning more impactful work that will help our clients address their climate-related risks and opportunities. In 2022, Abt became an Early Adopter of the UN Global Compact's enhanced Communications on Progress to demonstrate how we are integrating the Ten Principles into our business operations and portfolio, including those addressing the environment. In addition, Abt externally verifies and publicly discloses our greenhouse gas emissions inventory to The Climate Registry and via the Climate Change Questionnaire with the CDP.
At the operations level, Abt assesses the energy use of each of our leased facilities, analyzing intensity metrics including those calculated with leased square footage, occupied square footage and office headcount and attendance. This provides Abt an opportunity to gauge office utilization, track energy use, and measure and monitor associated financial implications. Abt evaluates municipality and state climate vulnerability assessments to discern risk types and the level of vulnerability at each site. Reports are generated and discussed with the Senior Director of Corporate Services with the purpose of informing which leased assets should be prioritized for retrofits or moves. While leases are typically set in five-year or ten-year increments, it is vital to monitor changes in vulnerabilities year over year.
Abt Associates no longer has a Defined Benefit Plan, therefore no separate funds for any pension liabilities. Abt does have two Defined Contribution Plans governed by ERISA for U.S.-based employees:
An Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) with automatic enrollment, no employee contribution, and a discretionary employer contribution (thus 100% participation). For plan year 2020 (CY2021), 9.25% of eligible compensation was the employer contribution for ESOP share allocations for active participants.
A 401(k) plan with a 100% match up to 5% of employee deferrals. Participation rate of 85% for all eligible employees at end of 2021.
GRI 202: Market Presence
Associated SDG: 8
In FY22, 87% of our senior managers were hired from the local community. The local community is defined by Local Country National (LCN) status. LCNs are employees whose nationality is the same as the country in which the project office is located. Abt emphasizes sourcing local talent to fill positions in our project offices to further support the communities in which we work.
GRI 204: Procurement Practices
Associated SDG: 12
Abt Associates' mission drives our commitment to engage and support local suppliers. We implement programs across multiple disciplines that support a stable economy, maintain community relations, and advance the livelihood of the community.
Abt's local purchases of products and services represents 20% of our qualifying annual spend. "Local" in this context is defined as our project site operations across Africa, the Middle East, South East Asia, South America and the Caribbean regions. We define significant locations of operations as any country where Abt is provided or supporting development activities.
GRI 205: Anti-Corruption
Associated UNGC Principle: 10
Associated SDG: 16
Abt has multiple risk management tools in place to capture international and domestic operations risks. We use an enterprise risk management (ERM) framework based on global risk management standards, including COSO and ISO 31000, to conduct an annual assessment of enterprise risks. Corruptions risks are included in these assessments.
Associated UNGC Principle: 10
Associated SDG: 16
Abt’s Code of Conduct establishes standards of business conduct that are applied uniformly at all Abt Associates locations and followed by all employees. While businesses and customs vary—and each individual who works for Abt Associates is unique—certain standards and responsibilities are shared wherever we do business. This includes adhering to anti-corruption laws and competing fairly.
Employees receive annual Ethics and Compliance training to certify their understanding and compliance with the Code of Conduct. This training includes explicit guidance on anti-corruption behavior and reporting options. Additionally, the training covers how to work ethically with clients to ensure quality and integrity. Abt’s Code of Conduct and Ethics and Compliance Helpline are made available to all staff, as are detailed policies regarding bribery, business ethics and conduct, and more.
For more information, see Disclosure 2-25.
GRI 206: Anti-Competitive Behavior
Associated SDG: 16
Abt Associates had zero legal actions pending or completed during the reporting period regarding anti-competitive behavior, nor any violations of anti-trust or monopoly legislation.
GRI 300: ENVIRONMENTAL DISCLOSURES
GRI 302: Energy
Associated UNGC Principles: 7, 8
Associated SDGs: 7, 8, 12, 13
CY2021 energy consumption within the organization expanded to Abt's global footprint to align with our global emissions inventory, 2025 target, and updated base year. Energy within the organization includes on-site combustion from natural gas and purchased electricity.
Energy consumption within the organization:
Associated UNGC Principle: 8
Associated SDGs: 7, 8, 12, 13
CY2021 energy consumption outside of the organization is reported as U.S.-based data colocations. Emissions from telecommuting and international project sites are not currently reported at the MWh-level.
Associated UNGC Principles: 8
Associated SDGs: 7, 8, 12, 13
CY2021 energy consumption within the organization expanded to Abt's global footprint to align with our global emissions inventory, 2025 emissions reduction target, and updated 2019 base year. Energy within the organization includes on-site combustion from natural gas and purchased electricity. All home office employees are included in this ratio. Project site employees are no included as they do not contribute to these energy categories, but rather Scope 3-related energy use.
Energy intensity ratio:
Associated UNGC Principles: 8, 9
Associated SDGs: 7, 8, 12, 13
See Disclosure 302-1 for more information.
GRI 305: Emissions
Associated UNGC Principles: 7, 8
Associated SDGs: 3, 12, 13, 14, 15
Emissions by Scope:
Direct (Scope 1) GHG emissions:
Associated UNGC Principles: 7, 8
Associated SDGs: 3, 12, 13, 14, 15
Indirect energy (Scope 2) GHG emissions:
Associated UNGC Principles: 7, 8
Associated SDGs: 3, 12, 13, 14, 15
Other indirect (Scope 3) GHG emissions:
In conjunction with setting a science-based GHG emissions reduction target, with the Science Based Targets Initiative, Abt is working to develop full accounting of our Scope 3 emissions Several categories, including purchased good and services, upstream transportation and distribution, and waste generate in operations, have gone through a screening process with generated estimations. A full and accurate inventory of these categories is still underway at the time of this report.
Associated UNGC Principles: 8, 9
Associated SDGs: 13, 14, 15
GHG emissions intensity ratio, Scope 1+2 MT CO2e per employee:
GHG emissions intensity ratio, Scope 3 MT CO2e per employee:
Associated UNGC Principles: 8, 9
Associated SDGs: 13, 14, 15
See Our Environmental Responsibility section in the 2022 Mission Impact Report
Abt adheres to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, including CO2, CH4, and N2O in our emission inventory and measures our emissions in Scope 1, 2, and 3.
We are committed to externally verifying our emissions on a biennial cycle and publicly report our inventory to The Climate Registry. Abt's GHG inventories for the years 2012 through 2020 have been externally verified to reasonable assurance standards for Scope 1 and 2 emissions and to limited assurance standards for Scope 3 emissions.
In 2021, Abt joined the global Business Ambition for 1.5°C campaign, making the commitment to align our climate mitigation targets with the goal of keeping global warming to 1.5°C and reaching science-based net-zero emissions by 2050. We have submit our new target to the Science Based Targets Initiative in 2022, with the intention of reducing our global emissions 33% by 2025 and 38.6% by 2027 from the 2019 base year.
Abt's global CY2021 emissions were 2,689 MT CO2e, representing a 26.9% year-over-year reduction from 2020 and a cumulative reduction of 57.7% from the 2019 base year. COVID-19 continued to have a significant impact on our emissions again in 2021, as we remained a primarily remote workforce with limited travel needs.
GRI 400: SOCIAL DISCLOSURES
GRI 401: Employment
Associated UNGC Principle: 6
Associated SDGs: 5, 8
In FY20 we updated our methodology to reflect rates more accurately, measuring the number of hires or turnovers per category and dividing by average headcount. Therefore rates accurately will not add up to 100%.
As Abt commences more international-based projects, this will increase our international hire rate. Depending on the country, this will have implications for male/female proportions based on local country.
Hire rates, Abt U.S.:
Hire rates, Abt Australia and Abt Britain:
Turnover rates, Abt U.S.:
Turnover rates, Abt Australia and Abt Britain:
Associated SDG: 8
Abt Associates is committed to providing a comprehensive suite of benefits for the health and wellness (physical and financial) of our employees and their eligible dependents/family members.
Our U.S.-based employees who regularly work 30 hours or more each week are eligible immediately to participate in our comprehensive benefits package, which includes company-subsidized medical and dental insurance plans, company-funded life insurance, disability plans and leave plans, business travel accident insurance and an employee assistance plan. Employees can choose from a variety of employee-paid benefits offered through payroll deductions, including flexible spending plans, supplemental life and disability insurance and vision coverage. Employees are also eligible for parental leave—which provides 100% base salary replacement for up to five days in their first year of employment and up to ten days after one year of employment—following the birth of an employee’s child or the placement of a child with an employee in connection with adoption. Abt will contribute a certain percentage of its profits each year to eligible employees (U.S. citizens and permanent residents) via the employee stock ownership program (ESOP) as well as provide a generous matching contribution to the employee’s 401(k).
Abt’s Expatriate and Third Country National employees enjoy the same benefits as our U.S.-based employees.
Associated UNGC Principle: 6
Associated SDGs: 5, 8
Per Abt's Parental Leave Policy, all employees working 30 hours or more are entitled to parental leave, regardless of sex. New parents can receive ten days of full paid leave when they welcome a new child into their life, through birth or adoption. Through our Adoption Assistance benefit, Abt will reimburse $5,000 in costs associated with an adoption process.
The Parental Leave program was enhanced effective 1/1/22 to eliminate the one year waiting period to be eligible for the ten days of leave.
See Disclosure 401-2 for more information.
GRI 402: Labor/Management Relations
Associated UNGC Principle: 3
Associated SDG: 8
Abt’s standard practice is to ensure that employees are well-informed in advance of operational and procedural changes. Our company was founded on participatory principles and we have maintained that practice throughout our company's history. From a corporate planning perspective, we conduct a five-year strategic planning process with annual updates. In general, all major operational changes are decided and announced during this process, thereby providing employees between one to five years notice. Of course, changes may be required within the course of a year, in which case the decision is announced directly to staff affected by the change(s).
Our approach is to provide the “what, how and when” for employees and then involve staff and/or collect input from staff to inform decisions and direction based on employee feedback. Ideally, employees are included in the design and implementation processes, thereby maximizing their input. For example, changes in our annual performance review process reflected employee feedback on the existing process and included a six-month notice period. The decision to implement a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system was announced a year in advance and included employee representatives on implementation teams. The decision to move office locations and design new office space was announced five years in advance and included employee visioning sessions and employee input and feedback throughout the process.
GRI 403: Occupational Health and Safety
Associated SDG: 8
An occupational health and safety management system has not been implemented at this time.
Abt (U.S.) had zero reportable Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) injuries in CY21.
Associated SDGs: 3, 8
The vast majority of domestic employees are working in an office environment and work related hazards are minimal. Most injuries are either slip and falls or related to wrist strain due to typing. Our HR and Benefits team meets on an annual basis with our workers compensation carrier to review claims and identify patterns that would require intervention. Recommendations are reviewed for potential implementation at this time. Additionally, in the U.S., Abt must comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations around worker safety.
In 2021, employees had many avenues for reporting a work-related injury: they could contact the HR Service Center, report to Facilities in the office in which they work, report to their manager or contact the HR and Benefits team directly. All reports come to Benefits for reporting to our workers compensation carrier. Abt's Non-Retaliation Policy protects workers from retaliation for good-faith reporting of any possible improper activity.
Abt employees have resources in place to raise issues about their work situation either directly to their manager or to HR. They can also contact Abt's Employee Advisory Council if they are not satisfied with the response from their manager or HR.
For repetitive stress injuries, we use our workers compensation broker to perform ergonomic assessments to identify adjustments to work stations that will allow an employee to work without discomfort. The carrier may recommend changes to the work station, or equipment that will reduce discomfort (such as a natural keyboard) that Abt will provide.
Associated SDGs: 3, 8
Abt's workers compensation broker performs ergonomic assessments to minimize the risk of repetitive stress injuries at employees' request. Employee access is facilitated by sharing information on Abt's intranet, required postings in all offices and communicating process for reporting accidents and injuries during new employee orientation. Abt secured personal health information and ensures that information on employee work-related injuries is not used for favorable or unfavorable treatment by keeping access to this information restricted to Benefits staff.
Associated SDG: 8
Abt does not have a process for worker participation and consultation in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the occupational health and safety management system.
Abt does not provide training beyond informing employees about the reporting process noted in Disclosure 403-2.
Abt offers medical coverage to all employees working at least 30 hours per week and subsidizes approximately 70% of the cost. Employees also have access to subsidized yoga classes and a bike subsidy to encourage exercise. Our largest health plan offers incentives for regular screenings and healthy activities to promote good health.
Abt offers gym discounts, onsite gyms in two offices and Weight Watchers membership. We also offer supplemental health insurance programs that are employee funded. Our Work/Life Assistance Plan offers many seminars on topics such as stress relief, depression, marital conflict and financial issues. Employees also have access to counselors at no cost.
Abt publishes suggested desk setup for ergonomic comfort and provides ergonomic assessments for employees who request assistance.
See Disclosure 403-2 for more information.
Abt has not implemented a system due to the low number of incidents incurred.
There were no reported injuries or incidents in 2021 to Abt U.S.
Across Abt's global project sites and entities in Australia and Britain, 91 work-related injuries or incidents were reported across 2021, with zero fatalities as a result of work-related injury.
Work-related ill health:
GRI 404: Training and Education
Associated SDG: 8
Abt provides learning and development opportunities for staff through LinkedIn Learning, which offers over 10,000 diverse courses. LinkedIn Learning content, along with dedicated time to learn, allows Abt staff to meet just-in-time needs as well as accomplish long-term goals. Abt also supports continued education/training through our professional development assistance program, which helps cover the cost of expenses incurred while pursuing a degree or professional certification. Internal courses, brown bags and workshops are hosted throughout each year on a wide variety of topics. Access to technical on-demand training is available for staff. Abt is highly supportive of on-the-job learning and has created tools and an environment where stretch assignments and internal mobility opportunities help staff develop new skills. Finally, Abt is committed to developing a more equitable and inclusive culture and in 2021 launched mandatory Equity, Diversity and Inclusion training for all staff.
Associated UNGC Principle: 6
Associated SDGs: 5, 8
Performance Review Evaluation Plan (PREP) is Abt's annual performance evaluation process in which all employees—in all locations worldwide—are provided with feedback, a rating for goals, performance competencies and cultural competencies and the opportunity to create a professional development plan. 100% of Abt staff who were hired by December 31st of the previous year participate in our annual PREP review process. All staff also participate in Goal Setting and our Continuous Performance Management program throughout the year. This program allows for timely, concise feedback that can be used immediately in real time.
GRI 405: Diversity and Equal Opportunity
Associated UNGC Principle: 6
Associated SDGs: 5, 8
Diversity of governance bodies:
Diversity of employees, Abt U.S.:
Diversity of employees, Abt Australia and Britain:
GRI 410: Security Practices
Associated UNGC Principle: 1
Associated SDG: 16
We have a strict, zero-tolerance policy for sexual misconduct of any kind. We require all Abt Associates U.S. employees and international field staff to complete training modules on human rights, trafficking, child protection, preventing sexual exploitation and abuse, reporting harassment, investigations, and retaliation. In FY22, 100% of Abt Associates U.S. staff, including security personnel, completed training on all modules.
The Abt Associates Institutional Review Board (IRB) ensures that relevant staff take training on research integrity and protection of human research participants every three years. This is a three-hour on-line training, which is available in ten different languages. The IRB supplements this online with role-based training on other topics, such as privacy laws (e.g., HIPAA) open data policies (e.g., USAID’s) and ethical issues specific to a methodology (e.g., qualitative research with vulnerable populations). Of staff engaged with research participants, 100% are trained in these topics at all times.
GRI 412: Human Rights Assessment
Associated UNGC Principle: 1
Our researchers study some of the most important and relevant questions facing the world today, from the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, to evaluating the effectiveness of strategies to reduce barriers to family planning services. Social, behavioral, and educational research can pose risks to privacy and confidentiality as well as ethical challenges, especially studies involving vulnerable populations. As part of its commitment to conducting research that meets the highest ethical standards, Abt Associates maintains its own Institutional Review Board (IRB) to safeguard research participants’ rights and welfare and to protect their personal information.
The IRB review typically includes assessment of: 1) the informed consent process and research design; 2) compliance with country or state privacy laws; 3) a safety plan for collecting face-to-face during a pandemic, e.g., COVID-19 and for studies involving vulnerable populations to ensure those in need are referred to appropriate resources, e.g., helplines for veterans, and study teams complied with mandated reporting requirements, e.g., potential child neglect and abuse; 4) a detailed data security plan and data agreements; and 5) certificates of confidentiality or privacy certificates to protect participants’ sensitive research data.
The Abt Associates IRB ensures that staff take training on research integrity and protection of human research participants every three years. This is a three-hour on-line training, which is available in ten different languages. The IRB supplements this online with role-based training on other topics, such as privacy laws (e.g., HIPAA), open data policies (e.g., USAID’s), and ethical issues specific to a methodology (e.g., qualitative research with vulnerable populations).
Abt had zero reported human rights abuses through any of our employees, clients, suppliers, or research participants in FY22.
Associated UNGC Principle: 1
In 2021, Abt once again offered all staff Freedom from Harassment training, which covered human rights policies and procedures. This training takes 45 minutes on average. 100% of employees were required to complete—and completed—modules on human rights, trafficking, child protection, and preventing sexual exploitation and abuse.
Additionally, senior managers and above completed an Ethics and Compliance refresher that covered topics such as using fair employee practices, non-retaliation, fostering a safe workplace, human trafficking, child protection, and embracing diversity.
Associated UNGC Principle: 2
Abt is compliant with all of its U.S. Government contracts containing the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) clause found at FAR 52.222-50, titled “Combating Trafficking in Persons.” Additionally, upon issuance of a subcontract under a U.S. Government prime contract, Abt includes this same FAR clause and ensures compliance by its subcontractors. Our work performed under agreements with the U.K. Department for International Development (DFID) requires that we likewise adhere to and be compliant with relevant anti-trafficking and human rights policies.
Our work for the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) strictly adheres to the Environmental and Social Safeguard Policy. Abt Associates Australia implements a robust child protection policy in compliance with DFAT’s stringent requirements driving adherence to international child safeguarding standards. In accordance with a "do no harm" approach, a number of key safeguarding requirements are implemented as part of our operations and program activities, including rigorous recruitment and screening measures, comprehensive child protection training for staff and partners, dedicated child protection resourcing across programs, detailed risk management processes and partner capacity building.
GRI 415: Public Policy
Associated UNGC Principle: 10
Associated SDG: 16
Abt makes no political contributions.
