Civic-minded consumers will have new incentive to frequent Starbucks, Hallmark and Nordstrom this holiday, as all three received top rankings on the Human Rights Campaign's annual Corporate Equality Index, released on Wednesday.
Since it was first launched in 2002, the Corporate Equality Index has been used as a benchmarking tool for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) workplace equality.
The 2016 edition rated 1,024 businesses, evaluating each for domestic partner benefits, transgender-inclusive health care and public engagement with the LGBT community. This year, however, researchers updated their criteria to include requirements for those companies to have a global non-discrimination policy or code of conduct "that specifically prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity," according to a press release.
Among those to nab a perfect score of 100 this year were Twitter, Uber and Airbnb, as well as Apple and Xerox, which have been considered leaders in advancing LGBT equality in the workplace.
Less stellar were Rite-Aid, Radio Shack and BJ's Wholesale Club, which earned scores of 65, 40 and 25, respectively.
In a blog posted on HRC's website, CEI co-author Deena Fidas said the results demonstrated "the great lengths major businesses go to in order to ensure equality across their operations."
"As we celebrate these successes, we also know that we have much work ahead to create true equality -- in opportunity and engagement for all LGBT people," Fidas, who is also the director of the HRC Foundation’s Workplace Equality Program, said. "We know we can count on these business leaders as partners in taking on the challenges ahead in public policy and workforce inclusion."
Head here to read more about the report, and check out a selection of the findings below.
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