The Human Rights Campaign is, according to the group’s website, “America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer equality.” HRC debuted its Corporate Equality Index in 2002 to assess and recognize how company policies contribute to workplace equality. Last year’s index saw just over 400 companies score 100, and this year that number is up over 25% to 517.
“Even in the face of relentless attempts to undermine equality, America’s leading companies and law firms remain steadfast and committed to supporting and defending the rights and dignity of LGBTQ people,” Chad Griffin, HRC president, says in an item announcing this year’s index. “As we enter a new chapter in our fight for equality, support from the business community will be more critical than ever to protect our historic advancements over the last decade and to continue to push equality forward for workers, customers, and families around the world.”
Suppliers and manufacturers
A score of 100 on the Corporate Equality Index “reflects [a company’s] commitment to sexual orientation and gender identity non-discrimination protections -- at home and around the world -- as well as to adopting LGBT-inclusive practices and benefits such as establishing employee resource groups and offering trans-inclusive health benefits,” as Sarah McBride explains on the HRC site.
Among industry suppliers scoring 100 on this year’s index are BASF, Dow Chemical, and Air Products & Chemicals. And the beauty and personal care companies with a 100 score are: Avon Products, Colgate-Palmolive, Estée Lauder Companies, Unilever, Johnson & Johnson, and P&G.
Commenting on the achievement in a dedicated media release, Mike Clementi, vice president of human resources at Unilever North America says, “Unilever U.S. is honored to be recognized for a ninth straight year by the Human Rights Campaign, and we are extremely proud to uphold our perfect score of 100 percent on the CEI.”
He goes on to say that, “as an organization, we work hard to provide an environment where all employees feel valued, included and bring their personal passions to the workplace. We believe an inclusive workplace is critical to our growth as a company.”