Where should we work when we grow up? The Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index may help us make that decision. Who comes out on top? Well 517 companies, the most ever, made the perfect score of 100 this year. That's up from last years total of 407. Many companies have been tooting their own horn about this while others are getting noticed by some of the media. Bloomberg.com decided to highlight Wal-Mart as a 100 score winner, up from its score of 90 points for the last two years.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. added insurance coverage for transgender workers this year, joining more than 500 companies taking a bigger role in advancing the rights of LGBT employees in a competitive market for labor.
Companies from Apple Inc. to Xerox Corp. are pushing to protect employee rights and improve gender equality as some legislative efforts have stalled. In 28 states, it’s still legal to fire a person for being gay, and President-elect Donald Trump has said he will rescind President Barack Obama’s executive orders, some of which aim at workplace diversity. – bloomberg.com
Fortune.com as well highlighted Wal-Mart as the top shock of the 2017 HRC CEI.
Some are saying Wal-Mart is doing a lot more than just scoring a perfect score on an exam. They are following through and even taking a step forward.
In a landmark move, however, Walmart chose not to contest [a discrimination suit filed by Jacqueline] Cote and her lawyer’s interpretation of Title VII, Walmart have essentially agreed that LGBTQ+ discrimination falls under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Basically, Walmart have seem to have agreed that sexual orientation discrimination should already be considered a violation of the Civil Rights Act. – hellogiggles.com
The case involved Cote and her desire to add her wife onto her health insurance policy. This, in the same year where the company has added insurance coverage for transgender employees to their policy, leading to its perfect 100 on the HRC CEI.
Another giant company that should be mentioned would be FORD.
DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 5, 2016 – Ford Motor Company has once again earned 100 percent – the highest possible score – on this year’s Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index, a national benchmarking survey and report on corporate policies and practices related to LGBT equality in the workplace.
Ford has received a perfect score every year since 2004. The 2017 Corporate Equality Index rated 1,043 businesses on LGBT-related policies and practices such as nondiscrimination workplace protections, domestic partner benefits, transgender-inclusive health care benefits, competency programs and public engagement with the LGBT community.
“Ford is committed to creating an environment that promotes diversity and inclusion within our workforce and communities,” said Meeta Huggins, chief diversity officer, Ford Motor Company. “The diverse backgrounds of our employees truly make us a stronger company and we are extremely proud of our policies and programs that support equality." – FORD press release.
Companies are taking note that a 100 score does get them noticed and making changes like FORD's GLOBE, an employee resource group for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and ally employees. Ford GLOBE began with meetings of the original founders in Dearborn, Michigan in July of 1994. The group quickly grew and called ourselves "Ford Family". In September of 1994 two cofounders of the group, Alice McKeage and Rob Matras, wrote a letter to the Vice President of Employee Relations with a copy sent to the Ford Motor Company CEO Alex Trotman to start a dialog on gay, lesbian and bisexual workplace issues. This may be one of the reasons why FORD has had a 100 score the past three years.
From Wal-Mart to vehicles to shoes … Footwearnews.com has chosen to give a nod to Adidas as a 100 score company.
“The thing that makes our company great is our people. I am so proud of our people and what we collectively represent,” Mark King, Adidas Group North America president, said in a statement. “Every day, our people come together to challenge each other, challenge the status quo and create things the world has never seen before. We’ve built a culture that celebrates our individuality and recognizes the importance of diverse thinking and new ideas. It’s our people who are responsible for making this company special and creating a bright future together.” – Footwearnews.com
Just over 1,000 companies were reviewed by HRC. I think it's fun, amazing, and great to watch these companies to exclaim YES! WE SCORED A 100!! A PERFECT SCORE! And we have no problem helping them toot their own horns.
Will a list like this change your shopping habits?
Should we use this to support some companies over others?
Keep up the good work guys and thanks for helping us pick where we will work when we grow up.
Head over to the Corporate Equality Index for all of HRC's results.
