Numerous studies have pointed to the corporate benefits of a diverse workforce. These include:
- Companies with the strongest racial and ethnic diversity are 35 percent more likely to have financial returns above their industry medians.
- Companies in the top quartile for gender diversity are 21 percent more likely to outperform on profitability and 27 percent more likely to have superior value creation.1
- A 2019 study of the S&P 500 by the Wall Street Journal found that the 20 most diverse companies had an average annual five year stock return that was 5.8 percent higher than the 20 least-diverse companies.

Despite such benefits, significant barriers exist for diverse employees advancing within their careers. Women enter the workforce in almost equal numbers as men (48 percent). However, they only comprise 22 percent of the executive suite. Similarly, people of color comprise 33 percent of entry level positions, but only 13 percent of the c-suite.

Berkshire Hathaway holding companies, however, do not release meaningful information that would allow investors to determine the effectiveness of their human capital management as it relates to workplace diversity. A number of Berkshire Hathaway companies have faced allegations of sexism and racism.

Investor desire for information on this issue is significant. As of October, 2020, $1.9 trillion in represented assets released an Investor Statement on the importance of increased corporate transparency on workplace equity data. It stated: It is essential that investors have access to the most up-to-date and accurate information related to diverse workplace policies, practices, and outcomes.