This case is a continuation of the Caesars Entertainment Corporation serial case that began in Chapter 1. Refer to the introductory story in Chapter 1 (see page 43) for additional background. (The components of the Caesars serial case can be completed in any order.)
In 2016, Caesars Entertainment Corporation was recognized by Civic 50, a Points of Light initiative to measure corporate involvement in communities. Caesars' representatives have contributed to the development of Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) sustainability corporate Form 10-K disclosures for the service sector. Caesars also has a strong track record in sustainability initiatives within the company.
Each year for the past six years, Caesars Entertainment Corporation has issued a Corporate Citizenship Report that details the results of its sustainability efforts. Various highlights from Caesars' 2014-2015 sustainability report include the following list.
a. In 2014, Caesars Foundation committed to an initial gift of $200,000 to the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health.
b. In Las Vegas alone, Caesars launders around 24,000 pounds per day including bedding, towels, restaurant linens, and valet uniforms. Caesars has invested in an efficient laundry facility. The typical laundry load size for Caesars is 250 pounds as compared to 120-125 pounds per load in commercial laundries, enabling Caesars to use less water, energy, and detergent.
c. Hours volunteered by Caesars' employees in their communities increased from 148,080 hours in 2011 to 199,127 hours in 2014.
d. Caesars Foundation has provided 56 vans to Meals on Wheels over its long-time partnership with the non-profit organization.
e. Caesars' employee injury rate per 100 employees decreased from 3.26 in 2011 to 2.24 in 2014.
f. Caesars retrofitted heating and cooling systems in four of its Nevada properties in 2014 to increase energy efficiency.
g. Caesars increased the amount of waste it diverted from landfills by 44.28% in 2014 as compared to 2007.
h. Out of eleven members in total, the number of females on Caesars' board of directors in 2012 through 2014 was zero.
i. Caesars' employee health plan experienced a 2.2% decrease in costs from 2011 to 2014 and saved Caesars millions of dollars.
j. Caesars' greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 22.57% in 2014 as compared to 2007.
k. In 2014, Caesars' housekeepers collected more than 100,000 pounds of soap and toiletries to distribute to impoverished families.
l. Caesars adopted a new corporate anti-money-laundering policy and program in 2014. The company hired a full-time senior manager to ensure that this anti-money-laundering policy is embedded throughout the corporation through training, communications, and risk assessments.
m. Caesars organizes over 15,700 meetings, gatherings, and private events at its venues each year. It has committed to "Responsible Meeting" principles that include paperless online event menus and billing; energy-efficient heating and cooling; china and linen offered in place of disposable plates, cups, and napkins; and water preset on tables only if requested.
n. $2.9 million was gifted to local communities through the Caesars Foundation in 2014.
o. Caesars Foundation has given more than $500,000 to support Teach for America since 2010.
p. Caesars' water use per 1,000 square feet increased by 2.3% in 2014 as compared to 2013.
q. Caesars' consumption of fossil fuel-based energy decreased 21.35% in 2014 as compared to 2007.
r. The employee turnover rate at Caesars increased from 13.80% in 2011 to 21.49% in 2014.
s. Total number of employees trained in Responsible Gaming at Caesars increased from 33,345 in 2011 to 53,825 in 2014.
t. Caesars' water consumption per air-conditioned 1,000 square feet decreased by 16.64% as compared to 2008.
u. LEED certification was achieved for all newly built and expanded properties owned by Caesars since 2011.
v. Caesars increased overall corporate spending on goods or services provided by minorityand women-owned or disadvantaged business enterprises to its highest spending level.
w. The total dollars invested in communities by the Caesars Foundation and its employees (including value of volunteer hours) was $86.9 million in 2011. In 2014, that total dollar amount was $74.53 million.
Requirements
1. Categorize each of the Caesars sustainability results as primarily environmental, social, or economic.
2. Can any of the listed sustainability results have an impact on a second category? Go back through the list and select a second sustainability category (environmental, social, or economic) for as many of the sustainability results as you can.
3. Combining your results from Requirements 1 and 2, what conclusions can you draw about sustainability initiatives at Caesars and in business in general?