State of LGBT Equality in Pennsylvania-based Companies Detailed in HRC's New Corporate Equality Index

Pennsylvania -based companies scored in annual nationwide report on LGBT equality in the workplace

WASHINGTON - November 19, 2014- The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, today released the 2015 Corporate Equality Index, an annual report assessing LGBT inclusion in major companies and law firms across the nation, including 32 in Pennsylvania.

Corporate America, propelled by the HRC and its foundation's annual Corporate Equality Index (CEI), has led the way on LGBT inclusion for more than a decade. As the national benchmarking tool on corporate policies and practices related to LGBT workplace equality, the 2015 CEI unveiled that a record 366 businesses – spanning nearly every industry and geography — earned a top score of 100 percent and the coveted distinction of "Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality."

In total, 781 companies were officially rated in the 2015 CEI, up from 734 in the 2014 report. The report also unofficially rated 190 Fortune 500 companies, who have yet to respond to the CEI survey about their LGBT policies and practices. The average score for companies and law firms based in Pennsylvania is 84 percent. Of the 32 companies ranked, 11 earned 100 percent, 11 earned 90 percent or above, and 1 earned 80 percent or above.

Employer Name

2015 CEI Rating

American Eagle Outfitters Inc.

100

Aramark Corp.

100

Comcast Corp.

100

Dechert LLP

100

Hershey Co., The

100

K&L Gates LLP

100

Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP

100

Pepper Hamilton LLP

100

PNC Financial Services Group Inc., The

100

Reed Smith LLP

100

SAP America Inc.

100

Air Products & Chemicals Inc.

95

Erie Insurance Group

95

H.J. Heinz Co.

95

Vanguard Group Inc.

95

Ballard Spahr LLP

90

Bon-Ton Stores, Inc.

90

Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

90

Duane Morris LLP

90

IKEA (U.S.)

90

Lincoln National Corp.

90

Saul Ewing LLP

90

Bayer Corp.

80

Giant Eagle Inc.

75

PPG Industries Inc.

75

Pep Boys-Manny, Moe & Jack

65

PPL Corp.

65

Wawa Inc.

65

Rite Aid Corp.

60

Severn Trent Services Inc.

50

Unisys Corp.

40

Allegheny Energy Inc.

15

"When it comes to LGBT equality, Corporate America is a leader, not a follower," said HRC President Chad Griffin. "At every turn, from advocating for marriage equality to providing vital support for transgender employees, this country's leading companies have asked, 'what more can we do?,' and they've worked tirelessly to achieve new progress. That kind of leadership changes countless lives around this country, and sets an important example to other companies around the globe."

Griffin cautions, however, that despite steady progress, LGBT workers still face major obstacles.

"Too many companies still don't guarantee these vital workplace protections, and too many LGBT people--transgender people in particular--face high rates of unemployment and discrimination in hiring, keeping them from ever getting a foot in the door in the first place," he said.

Key national findings contained in the 2015 CEI:

Just as the CEI has successfully steered the country's top corporations, law firms and their influential leaders toward breaking new ground in workplace equality -- from enacting LGBT non-discrimination policies to extending same-sex partner benefits -- it has also helped companies move toward full inclusion for their transgender employees. 418 companies participating in this year's CEI now offer transgender workers at least one health care plan that has transgender-inclusive coverage. That's a 22 percent increase since 2012, when the CEI criteria first included trans-inclusive health care as a requisite for companies to receive a perfect score.

The CEI rates companies and top law firms on detailed criteria falling under five broad categories:

  1. Non-discrimination policies
  2. Employment benefits
  3. Demonstrated organizational competency and accountability around LGBT diversity and inclusion
  4. Public commitment to LGBT equality
  5. Responsible citizenship

The full report, including a searchable employer database is available online at www.hrc.org/cei.

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. HRC envisions a world where LGBT people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.

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