HRC Scores LGBT-Inclusive Workplace Policies of Pennsylvania Companies in New Corporate Equality Index

WASHINGTON - December 5, 2016 - Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation, the educational arm of the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization, released the 2017 Corporate Equality Index, an annual report assessing LGBT inclusion in major companies and law firms across the nation, including 45 in Pennsylvania.

Corporate America, propelled by the HRC Foundation's annual Corporate Equality Index (CEI), has led the way on LGBTQ inclusion for more than a decade. As the national benchmarking tool on corporate policies and practices related to LGBT workplace equality, the 2017 CEI unveiled that a record 517 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."

That record number of perfect scores was achieved despite demanding new criteria requiring that companies with global operations extend non-discrimination protections for their LGBT workers worldwide.

In total, 887 companies were officially rated in the new CEI, up from 851 in last year's. The report also unofficially rated 156 Fortune 500 companies, which have yet to respond to the CEI survey about their LGBTQ policies and practices. The average score for companies and law firms based in Pennsylvania is 80 percent. Of the 45 companies ranked, 22 earned 100 percent, 27 earned 90 percent and above, and 33 earned 80 percent and above.

"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," said HRC President Chad Griffin. "The unprecedented expansion of inclusive workplaces across the country and around the globe not only reflects our progress, it helps drive it.  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."

Employer Name

City

State

2017 CEI Score

PNC Financial Services Group Inc., The

Pittsburgh

PA

100

Vanguard Group Inc.

Malvern

PA

100

SAP America Inc.

Newtown Square

PA

100

PPL Corp.

Allentown

PA

100

Comcast NBCUniversal

Philadelphia

PA

100

Aramark Corp.

Philadelphia

PA

100

Hershey Co., The

Hershey

PA

100

Wawa Inc.

Wawa

PA

100

IKEA Holding US Inc.

Conshohocken

PA

100

Erie Insurance Group

Erie

PA

100

Highmark Inc.

Pittsburgh

PA

100

Lincoln National Corp.

Radnor

PA

100

Blank Rome LLP

Philadelphia

PA

100

Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC

Pittsburgh

PA

100

Dechert LLP

Philadelphia

PA

100

K&L Gates LLP

Pittsburgh

PA

100

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP

Philadelphia

PA

100

Pepper Hamilton LLP

Philadelphia

PA

100

Reed Smith LLP

Pittsburgh

PA

100

TE Connectivity Inc.

Berwyn

PA

100

Air Products & Chemicals Inc.

Allentown

PA

100

American Eagle Outfitters Inc.

Pittsburgh

PA

100

Ballard Spahr LLP

Philadelphia

PA

95

Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

Philadelphia

PA

95

Duane Morris LLP

Philadelphia

PA

95

Saul Ewing LLP

Philadelphia

PA

95

Siemens

Malvern

PA

90

Urban Outfitters Inc.

Philadelphia

PA

85

Giant Eagle Inc.

Pittsburgh

PA

85

AmerisourceBergen Corp.

Chesterbrook

PA

85

Teva Pharmaceutical USA Inc.

North Wales

PA

85

Bon-Ton Stores Inc.

York

PA

85

Kraft Heinz Company, The

Pittsburgh

PA

80

PPG Industries Inc.

Pittsburgh

PA

75

Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia

Philadelphia

PA

70

Rite Aid Corp.

Camp Hill

PA

65

WESCO International Inc.

Pittsburgh

PA

55

Pep Boys-Manny, Moe & Jack

Philadelphia

PA

45

Severn Trent Services Inc.

Fort Washington

PA

35

Unisys Corp.

Blue Bell

PA

30

UGI Corp.

King of Prussia

PA

20

Dick's Sporting Goods Inc.

Coraopolis

PA

20

Universal Health Services

King of Prussia

PA

10

United States Steel Corp.

Pittsburgh

PA

10

Crown Holdings

Philadelphia

PA

0

Key national findings contained in the 2017 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.

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 equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual,transgender and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.

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