A new report says that more companies are respecting the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) community. The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation released its Corporate Equality Index (CEI) for 2016 which included 407 major businesses covering various industries that earned a top score of 100 percent.
The score is predicative of how these companies implement corporate policies and practices that provide respect and equality for the LGBT employees. The CEI is a tool used in benchmarking workplace equality which was first used in 2002.
"Now 14 years later, so much has changed and yet, much work remains," the report said [pdf].
The agency evaluated 1,027 companies in terms of domestic partner benefits, public engagement with the LGBT community and transgender-inclusive health care. In the first assessment done in 2002, only 13 companies garnered a perfect score but in the latest report, 407 companies got a perfect score.
Law firms make up the largest industry having the most companies that provide equality in the workplace. A total of 95 companies made it to the list. The next group is from banking and financial services (51) followed by retail and consumer products (31).
Fortune Magazine ranks the 500 largest companies in the United States annually. Among the Fortune 500-ranked businesses, 321 have official CEI ratings based on the surveys submitted. A total of 165 companies received 100 percent rating.
Out of the top 20 Fortune-ranked businesses, 11 received a perfect score. The companies are Chevron Corp., Apple Inc., General Motors Co., Ford Motor Co., General Electric Co., AT&T Inc., CVS Health Corp., Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), McKesson Corp., Hewlett-Packard Co. and JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Among those companies that garnered a perfect score in CEI but were not part of the Fortune 500 list are Whirlpool Corp., Greenberg Traurig, American Airlines, Macy's Inc., Ford Motor Co., Apple Inc., Walt Disney Co. and IKEA Holding among others.
"We're extremely proud to continue our record of perfect scores on the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index. It's a distinction received for doing what's right for our gay and lesbian employees and community," said Brett Dibkey, vice president, Integrated Business Units in North America speaking in behalf of Whirlpool Inc.
"At Whirlpool we feel everyone deserves to bring their whole selves to work without fear of discrimination. This year, especially, it's important to be recognized for the importance of LGBT equality in the workplace. Marriage equality was just the beginning," he added.
HRC President Chad Griffin applauds the nation's top companies that offer equality in the workplace.
"These companies and law firms have consistently shown leadership in building support for greater equality for LGBT employees, and not just within the walls of their own workplace. This year's CEI demonstrates that business understands what many have long known: The fight for LGBT equality does not end at our borders, but is a global endeavor that must be pursued with greater urgency than ever before," he said in a statement.
Photo : Denise Coronel | Flickr
