Last month, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation released the Corporate Equality Index 2016 (CEI) , which rates America’s workplaces on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) equality. This is first year that top-scoring companies were required to have a global non-discrimination policy or code of conduct that specifically prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. From HRC’s recent blog post: “Even with the demanding new global criteria, the response from Fortune 500 companies and the nation’s top law firms was nothing short of remarkable: a record-breaking 407 businesses were awarded the CEI’s top score of 100 this year–the most in the history of HRC’s CEI program.”
The CEI rates companies and top law firms on detailed criteria falling under five broad categories:
- Non-discrimination policies
- Employment benefits
- Demonstrated organizational competency and accountability around LGBT diversity and inclusion
- Public commitment to LGBT equality
- Responsible citizenship
Eleven of the top 20 Fortune-ranked companies received 100% ratings:
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.
JP Morgan Chase & Co.