In it’s sixth year the Corporate Equity Index, sponsored by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation found more acceptance of GLBT workers. It reports that more employers are offering full benefit packages to their GLBT workers.

More than 8.3 million workers are employed at companies that met all of the criteria quizzed by the Human Rights Campaign. The study rated various factors including having non-discrimination policies, diversity training, and benefits programs for same-sex domestic partners and transgender employees.

Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese said, “More businesses than ever before have recognized the value of a diverse and dedicated workforce. More importantly, these employers understand that discrimination against GLBT workers will ultimately distress their ability to compete in the global marketplace.”

More companies rated 100 percent

When the survey about GLBT benefits began six years ago, only 13 companies received the top rating. Between them, these 13 companies employed 690,000 workers. Last year? 138 companies rated “100 percent” in the GLBT seek. This year? That figure has increased a whopping 41 percent. Today, 195 major U.S. corporations offer benefits to their GLBT workers.

Cities and towns are also protecting GLBT workers

Cities and towns in the U.S. are also adding workplace protections to protect workers against discrimination based on sexual orientation. Over 280 cities and towns, 19 states have laws or ordinances to protect people from discrimination based on sexual orientation. The laws in 11 states also prohibit discrimination based on gender identity.

Businesses anticipate federal legislation concerning GLBT benefits

More businesses in corporate America are moving towards having equality policies for all workers, including GLBT. They may anticipate federal legislation that could force them do provide protection and benefits for GLBT employees. The U.S. House of Representatives will be considering the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) that would ban discrimination in the workplace due to sexual orientation and gender identity.

States with highest number of employers scoring 100 percent

The states of New York, California, and Illinois, respectively, have the largest number of businesses that rated 100 percent, meaning they had the best policies for GLBT workers.

Survey findings

Some of the findings of the Corporate Equity Index regarding GLBT workers include:

- The banking and financial services industry has 32 companies with 100 percent, more than any other industry. While there are 30 law firms with the top rating, up from 12 last year.

- 58 percent of firms provide employment protections on the basis of gender identity.

-Among the 57 companies that have newly achieved a perfect score of 100 percent are: Allstate Insurance Co., Electronic Arts Inc., Esurance
Inc., J.C. Penney Co. Inc., KeyCorp, Macy’s Inc., Marriott International Inc., Mastercard Inc., Waste Management Inc. and Yahoo! Inc.

The full report which provides the list of all 195 companies, is available online at no charge.

Source:
http://media.prnewswire.com/en/jsp/main.jsp? resourceid=3557140
www.hrc.org/cei