Impactivize Reporting by Laura López Ramos – June 23, 2025
Merck & Co., Inc. is a global biopharmaceutical leader with 28,000 employees in the United States and an additional 45,000 worldwide. With over 130 years of legacy, Merck is dedicated to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across its workforce, operations, and communities.
Grounded in the belief that an inclusive environment drives innovation and better patient outcomes, Merck’s DEI framework centers on four priorities: building inclusive workforce capabilities; ensuring accountability at all levels; integrating DEI into business practices to drive performance; and influencing the environment, culture, and business landscape to help achieve a more inclusive and sustainable world.
At the heart of Merck’s inclusive culture are its 10 Employee Business Resource Groups (EBRGs), which foster a sense of belonging for more than 21,000 members:
- Alianza – Elevates the company’s culture of inclusion and belonging for Hispano-Latino employees.
- Asia Pacific Association – Builds social community and promotes Asian diversity.
- capAbility Network – Provides a safe space for colleagues with disabilities, their caregivers, and allies.
- Interfaith Organization – Cultivates a welcoming and respectful community of faith for employees of all spiritual paths.
- League of Employees of African Descent – Strengthens the pipeline of leaders of African descent and leverages cultural insights.
- Native American & Global Indigenous People – Raises awareness and appreciation for Indigenous cultures.
- Next Gen Network – Connects employees across generations to build community and accelerate business outcomes.
- Rainbow Alliance – Supports a vibrant LGBTQ+ and allies network.
- Veterans Leadership Network – Promotes professional opportunities and fosters respect for veterans.
- Women’s Network – Champions gender equity and advancement for women.
Merck is widely recognized as an employer of choice. It is Great Place to Work® Certified as of August 2024, with 86% of employees reporting Merck is a great place to work—well above the 57% benchmark. The company has also ranked on multiple Fortune “Best Workplaces” lists, including the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® each year since 2022.
For the past eight years, Merck has earned a perfect 100 score on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index (CEI), designating it a “Best Place to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality.” The company is recognized for inclusive benefits, gender transition guidelines, and global LGBTQ+ engagement. Merck also earned a 100/100 on the Disability Equality Index, acknowledged for its commitment to accessibility, neurodiversity, and mental well-being initiatives.
The company’s pay equity practices are supported by robust data. In 2023, Merck achieved greater than 99% global pay equity between women and men. In the U.S., it maintained greater than 99% pay equity across race and gender for the third consecutive year. Women currently represent 51% of Merck’s global workforce and 50% of its board of directors.
Merck’s Supplier Diversity Program plays a central role in its DEI strategy and supports more than 30,000 jobs. In 2023, the company’s global spend with small and diverse suppliers reached $3.6 billion, with a goal of $4.4 billion by 2030.
Most recently, Merck shareholders overwhelmingly rejected an anti-DEI proposal by a vote of 99–1. The Board of Directors had unanimously recommended voting against the proposal, which sought to eliminate DEI-related milestones from executive compensation. Chairman and CEO Rob Davis reaffirmed the company’s commitment to DEI, stating: “Our company has a longstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion. It’s at the core of who we are, our values, and how we operate as a company. It’s also a strategic imperative. We remain dedicated to providing fair, equal and merit based opportunities, preventing bias and ensuring we have a vibrant and inclusive workplace. This commitment enables us to fully execute on the scientific method and catalyze contributions and innovations from across the enterprise. In turn, this allows us to fulfill our mission.”